Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-02-18

courier so anxiously expected shall have con-
veyed il TO New York, New Orleans, Phila-
delphia, Baltimore, Boston, and Cincinnati,
public opinion will no doubt be that the mis-
understanding with France is on the point Of
being satisfactorily arranged. 1t will be a
subject of congratuation to them to observe
the notifications which had taken place in
the ideas, or at least in the tone, of general
Jackson, and they will be delighted on learn
ing the efforts made by his friends, and par
ticularly by Mr.. Van Buren, to induce that
infexibe old gentleman to desist from his
menaciDg attitude, and for the first time in
his life to retreat, after he had audaciously
put himself forward.
/ A war between France and America would
be the height Of folly. Were such an event
to take place, all Europe could not indulge in
sufficient laughter. II would, indeed, be a
subject of joy to all the enemies of liberty
throughout the universe, and at the same time
the signal of despair to al true lovers of free
dom. One message can suffice to repair the
injury done to previous one. The pride of
France should be directed to another quarter.
The Americans are destined to become ma
ton of the first order; in fact, they are 80 at
present, according to general acknowledge
ment However, IN point of military prowess
they are, as yet, but novices, notwithstanding
their excessive pretensions on this point, and
our fourteen centuries OF glory cannot be ef-
faced by the pertinent sorties of this infant
Hercules. We are therefore very ready to
admit what we think ought to be the general
opinion in Amerlca--namely, that the late
message of the President is Of a nature to
lead to the adjustment of the difference exist
ing between the two countries.
1t would appear that for the last five years
a pacific Providence has watched over the
destinies of the world, and taken pleasure
in frustrating these warlike combinations
which might at one time be exercised by
vain disquietude, and at others by the ebulli-
tions of some absolute monarchy, and some
times by the whif,s of democracy. More
than twenty times during those FIVE years
was it supposed that it would be necessary
to come to the last expedient Of kings and
people-more than twenty times has rup-
ture appeared inevitable between the north
and south-between western and eastern Eu-
rope-between the old and the new world
but on each occasion an irresistible force, to
which it must be admitted the wisdom Of our
government mainly contributed, has Gained
the impending storm, and has once more con-
solidated peace, and insured the triumph of
the genius of commerce.
There are some opinionists who contend
that this result is exclusively owing to the
progress Of human morality. Opposed to-
them are others who pretend that interests
alone govern the present age, and that the
preservation of general peace is entirely to
be attributed to the unbridled mercantile spi- |,
rit which now pervades the world.
Whatever be the cause which spares the
pffusion of blood and prevents frightful COLI |
sions, we must acknowledge its authority,and
bless it at the same time. Ifinterests are ut
lie present day the law of the world, if COM
nerce really welds the sceptre in conjunc.
ion with the powers which time and the laws
nave adopted, let US congratulate ourselves
hat we are in the enjoyment Of tranquil days,
during which we may analyze at leisure the
interests which divide society,
SO that we may be able to reconcile them,a
open to commerce that new field which it i'm
peTiously demands, and which it would be
imprudent to refuse to SO powerful an advo-
cate.