Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1841-04-27
OPINIONS OF THE FRENCH
PRESS.

i0lo alC ullIOOI OASluSINCly va Luo-
tern question, and on the dispute between
England and the United S ates. We sub
Join some extracts on the latter subject,
which are not without interest. The" Con-
stitutionnel," in allu sion to the remark
that the desire for war manifested in the
United States, is but the expression of
discounted party seeking to create embar-
rassment for the new Government, says {:
Gas far as we can Judge from the infor-
nation communicated in the journals and
letters from the United States, it is not a
party, but the entire country, which has
expressed its mAexible determination
to put down the pretensions of England.
The real question with the Americans is
not as to whether Mcleod shall or shall
not be hanged, or whether their territory y
shall be enlarged by a few hundred leagues
which are contested. These are the rea-
sons assigned, and not the cause of rup-
ture, What the Americans desire is, to
deliver themselves forever from the pres
ence ofthe English in Canada, and to
free The new northern world from the pa
tronage of Europe; and for this they have
warm auxiliaries amongst the Canadians
themselves, who have by SO many acts
ofbold resistance and SO many sacrifices
shown their dislike to the yoke which
is imposed upon them. In this
respect, then, the war which appears to
be at hand will, in The United States, be
a national one, and no Government can,
on this point modify the general feeling
Of the country, or even hesitate TO follow
the general impuIsion. The rights of the
Executive are very limited, too limited,
perhaps, by the Constitution. The ma
ton has delegates but in reality 1t governs
by itself. what it demands, its agents
must execute, and the shades of political
opinion which distinguish the two great
parties, and which are very slight, have
no Importance as TO the solution ofa ques-
ton upon which the public opinion and
the representatives of the States and of
the Federal Union, have pronounced their
will unanimously
The "Courier Francais" considers war
as imminent, but offers some reflections,
on the subject. which do honor to the
writer, and which are the more important
as appearing in journal which has been
charged by the advocates of the peace
policy with a desire to put an end
to the tranquility which has so
long existed in Europe, and by which the
United States have SO amply benefited
1t says
"We hope that, on the eve of a struggle
which would cause a great efusion OF
blood, and which presents no chance OF
compensation for the calamities Of war
the two Governments will give way to re-
Election, and feel some remorse for the
passions which have led TO the present
danger France, indeed, has no reason
to be afflicted at the prospect OF war be-
tween England and the United states, foT
such a war might be for us, so far as q
selfish policy is concerned, a source oI
ioy aad triumph; but we must be above
The paItry suggestions ofpriVate interest
Viewing the question on a large basis,
such a war would interrupt the CONNER
cial relations which connect the two con-
,inents, and which during the last TWEEN
ty-five years have reached a vast exten
sion. In this point of view the war would
be a calamity for Europe. War sometimes
promote the cause of civilization. Thus
the English could have rendered vast ser
vices in India,if they had amolioratsd the
condition of the people whom they sub
iected. So, in conquering Algeria, we
shall sooner or later have the power o
doing good to the uncivilized tribes with
whoom we are now contending. But or
what principles can war between the
Enplisb and The Americans be beneficial
The London journals announce the lnten
ton of sterring up the slaves ofthe South
brn States 10 revolt; and, on the othel
hand. the citizens of New York and Maine
have probably the intention of stirring uF
revolt amongst the oppressed French
colonists in Canada. On both sides, then
social war would be added to foreign wal
and The contest would be carried on a
the same time by scafolds and by cannon
What an example for the civilized worl
If war should take place between thes'
+ two nations, it will not be war OfPrinci
pIe, for there is no question Of right il
volved; it will be conflict prompted b
ambition and fed by pride; that is to say
the most odious spectacle that could b
afforded by human nature. We will ne
inc uire which Of these two cOu nitric
could do most harm to the other. The
are both powerful, and both presevsrin
and obstinate in their designs, Englan
! has an inccntestible superiority at this M
t ment, and her first blows would be stron
: ones. With eleven ships Of the line, I'll