The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-13
EpIroR,s coRREspoNDENcE.
Pans, July %, l945.

States have lost hero and patriot. Many gene
ratons shall pass away before his equal in patriot
ism and enthusiasm for the institutions of his
try will exist among us. The Journal des Debais
gave a sketch of his life, commencing with the incl
dent that marked his character in the revolution of
l776 1t mentioned the different Offices Of honor to
which the Just appreciation of his services by his
fellow-citizens called him--his conduct in the In
dian wars, the battle of New Orleans and the occu-
patton of Florida. The contest with the United
States Bank is alluded to in that shows the
writer does not think upon that subject in the
manner the majority Of the people of the Union.
1 The difficulty with France is also spoken of, but in
terms of moderation The article gives the general
| high and hasiy temper
/ In former letter, mentioned the hardships of
the CONSUMPTION as regarded the working classes.
4 II, however has advantages which ought TO be
| mentioned. The soldiers drawn from every part
Of France. In Alsace they speak German; in Bre-
| tagne and Provence, diaect that cannot be under
stood in other provinces. In the army there are
schools where all taught reading, writing, and
arithmetic After few years, the soldiers acquire
| the rndimens of common education. The soldiers
from the country brought in contact with those
from the cities, and get quickness which is useful
TO them in after-life. They are distributed in the
i different cities for certain time, or sent detach-
ments This continual changing improves them.
Those who have learned trades, often see something
TO learn as regards their business Attached to
every regiment there dancing, music, and fencing
masters. Those therefore, who wish finished
education, may acquire these accomplishments.
After thirty years service each soldier gets PEN
sion; there are, however, very few who continue
so long in the army. The service of about eighty
thousand expires every year, which is made up by
a new levy.
The news from Texas, California, and Mexico,
gave rise to discussion in the journals.
j The Debats" made il the occasion for leader on
the ambition of the United States. It's reflections
upon the spirit of annexation leading TO a dissou-
ton of our Union, invite a few remarks upon that
question. France, for fifteen years, has been spend
ing blood and treasure to conquer Algeria The
military force employed there annually is from sew
enty-fve to one hundred thousand men, and the
expense cannot fall short of fifteen millions of dol
| lars per annum. The country may be worth all the
efforts made to conquer it, but, when the organ of
i the government accuses our people of ambition, in
deciding to admit into our Union nation requesting
it, and possessing most fertile territory, what name
should be applied to France for using fire and sword
to subugate those who Justly resist herr Ii Texas
had offered herself to any other power, she would
have been most gladly received, even by those who
seek now to oppose obstacles to her free choice. To
decide the question of admitting Texas, the exam
Piles Of Rome, Spain, and Portugal are instanced to
influence our Judgment The cases are not parallel.
Their bearing upon the matter is decidedly favorable
to extending territory when the nation offers as In
the present Those countries extended their do
minion by conquest and often by determinations:
we merely propose extending our laws end insti-
| uons over those who request it, One system s
condemned by justice and humany;the other, mer
its their approval. Though distant from home
more than thousand leagues, the writer thinks that
he may be permitted TO say few words on this
question. Ii revives thoughts he felt when leaving,
and, in recalling them, distance is forgotten. Before
| fifty years shall have TRANSFERRED, the population Of
the Union, from the present rate Of increase, will
be from so millions to 100 millions. We are the
guardians of their interests. What our fathers did
| for us forty years ago, in purchasing Louisiana,
then apparently of as little value as Texas is now
considered to be, points out our duty. We are the
only nation of the New World capable Of resisting
the encroachments of Europe and in 1917
obliged to declare that would not permit their
interference. Unfortunately, our neighbors in the
South, whose existence is owing TO our example
and encouragement, are continually in arms against
each, other, and before long must seek pro-
lection from some other power, A portion Of
them, driven to rebellion by oppression, have
Obtained their independence, and request adj
| mission into our confedorucy. II is proven
by the history of nations, that obtaining per-
manent possession of a territory, even by conquest,
is advantageous. IT, as in our case it is offered, it
is proof Of confidence in, and respect for, the in
tegrity of nation, which few in the history Of the
4 world can boast of having received. people do
not trife with their rights and liberties Rome was
the arbter Of kings and princes. The Senate Of the
i United States is invited TO decide upon the destiny
of nation
Spain and Portugal extended their dominions by
conquest and for than 300 years their colonies
gave them wealth and power. Each in turn was
i the first in rank among the nations of Europe By
a series of faults, which in rulers may be called
crimes, they have lost nearly ell their possessions
but even yet, they powerful as they were be-
4 fore making their discoveries.
i For time, the possession of those regions
| cupied the wealth and resources Of their people.
Under their influence, commerce and the arts and sci
ences hourished; and, perhaps, without the colonies,
neither nation would have ever been more than Sc
/ cond-rate power. IL their extensive possessions
have caused them to fall, they have fallen no lower
than they originally We're; for yet few islands,
i the remains of their ancient greatness, supply
a large portion of their resources. Both coun-
tries have had TO suffer for the folly Of their rulers
/ The resources of the colonies were squandered,
their demands for redress disregarded, and revolt
was their only alternative.
It is true that Spain and Portugal, compared with
what they were, have fallen, by losing what they
might have kept; but other nations, without extern
sive territories, have been blotted from the map
of Europe--Venice and heroic Poland! The fact Of
state being small, does not prevent the different
portions of il from rebellng against the general
thorities. The Independence and neutrality of
u Switzerland have been guaranteed by several an
cient and modern treaties. There, however, there
have often been outbreaks, snsteined with such ami
mostly, that Switzerland, smaH as il is, would have
been divided into many republics are now the
colonies of Spain, did not the other nations interfere
to prevent IT, Italy, at the foundation of Rome, as
regards its settlement and position to the Old World,
(under which title may be comprised the more an
ciently-settled countries Of Asia and Africa0 was
literally the New World Rome increased her terri
tory by conquest; and Notwithstanding this, her ca
reer for more than seven hundred years, was con-
tinual march to greatness. She gave to the world
1 her laws and institutions; and now, after lapse
i of many centuries, her Jurisprudence forms the
! groundwork of modern legislation. The form of
government changed; but the principles Of lib
ery engrafed in her laws guided her yet with glory
for several centuries. At times yrants ruled her,
end dissipated her resources. The seat of govern
] ment was removed from the soil where her ssges,
poets and heroes lived. The city fell prey to bar
barans but, even after this calamity, we the
shadow of the mighty republic revving in the east,
and, under the administration Of wise prince, yet
throwing halo of glory around the Roman name.
For time the spirit of the legions was revived-it
produced the victories of Narsus and Besarus, end
/ Left TO the world the institutes of Justinian.