The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-30

=
Eiais Uni,," who has just returned from France. He
pays high compliment to the President and his
Secretary Of State. Our impressions correspond
with his own. The message has been treated with
too much enthusiasm in this country not to produce
the belief that il will raise the character of its author
and the reputation Of his country in Europe. The
secretarys correspondence also is marked with too
many traits Of argument and Of truth not to con-
tribute to the establishment Of the peace between the
two countries, and To obtain a more advantageous
triumph in any negotiation which may ensue.
The French editor seems not to be equally fortu-
nate in his analysis Of the Presidents remarks in re-
gard to France. The President might have shut his
eyes to the course Of ancient ally; but could he
discharge the duty which he owed to his country
by passing over the policy of two foreign nations
who had assailed her, interests in a very tender
point Is really true, that France owed no respon-
sibity to us for interfering with our interests in
Texas? Was she to attempt deadly blow at us
through Texas, and yet is she to hold herself 'ony
answerabe to her own conscience" We cannot
the justice Of this discrimination If her acts had
affected her own interests only, then indeed might
she claim an immunity from our criticism, and an
swsr to her own conscience only. But the re-
marks of the President are mingled with SO much
sincere and 'untegned regret" and his criticism is
administered with SO much kindness for an ancient
ally--the country which has common interest
with us in maintaining the freedom Of the seasthe
country which, by the cession of Louisiana first
opened TO us access to the Gulf Of Mexico-the
country with which we have been every year draw
ing more and more closely the bonds of successful
commerce-that it is to be hoped the "wound," ifany
may be inflicted, will close over even without
scar The Courier, too, is less happy in its
remarks upon the Presidents animadversions on
Mr.. Guizot's fictitious hypothesis Of the "balance
of power" on this continent. The "error" which
no would ascribe to Mr.. Folks position, lies, we
think, with the talented editor, from whose pen
this criticism flows. II is he who has not seized
the "idea" of the American mind upon this subject
What the occasion with direct reference to which
Mr.. Guizot gave uttcrance to the "idea" which Mr..
p-.I.. -.l 49, ~...a-y iarso mere suppoaed
have altogether misapprehended' II was the occa.
sion of the contemplated union of two States of this
contnent-he incorporation Of the republic of Texas
with the United States of America. This union
was thought of by Mr.. Guizot, or by any one,
as being possible thing, except the result of
the free deliberate choice of the people Of both States.
Fit was to take place at all, it would take place
through tho operation ofone soley--the spon-
aneous will Of the people of Texas to incorporate
themselves with the people Of the United States, un.
der the same family compact which gave security
and happiness to the latter.
This was the occasion, with reference to which
Mr.. Guizot's doctrine Of the balance of power was
broached and preached. And considered with ref
ercnce to this occasion, what could be its meaning!
It either had none, it signi6ed that, with regard
to two States on this continent entertaining the
disposition which these two republics were sup
posed 10 entertain, the powers Of Europe might
nterpose and forbid the bans. This was the
'dca" of Mr. Guzot, or his words had no sig
MITIGATION, no applicability to the occasion on
which he spoke. The American people (and,
be it noted, the people Of Texas, too) did
not suppose him to be uttering unmeanng words,
and they gave to his words the only meaning they
could nationally possess. This meaning found an
answer in their hearts, and the has been ut
tered by the President their representative and
organ. II says TO the monarchs of Europe, "Keep
your famed balance to yourselves, and for your
selves; we will not have it here. II shall never, so
long have strength to prevent it, find footing
this side of the Atlantic. 1t may suit you, but it
does not suit US. Here, but one source Of political
power, but one controller Of political organization,
is recognised-THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE. That
form Of government which the people Of State see
fit to adopt is the rghfu one, and the only rghful
one; and if the people of tro States deem it essential
conducive TO their happiness to blend themselves
into one, either totally partially, you have right
to interfere; and, by the grace Of God, you never
shall interfere. You may Intrigue against such
unions; and the immunites enjoyed by your dpo-
matte agents may be used to shield them whilst
plotting and urging schemes for defeating the will
ofhe people, and seducing their servants; utifyou
go farther and resort to protests and to threats your
protests shall be laughed te scorn and at your
threats we will hurl defiance"
This is the way in which Mr.. Guizot's doctrine
was understood by the American mind, and this the
answer given to it by the American heart. The edi-
tor Of the Courier does injustice to both, when he
intimates that the tendency Of this doctrine to pro.
tect Mexico from encroachment must have been
what caused il to give umbragc here His assertion
that "the great crime of the French minister is that
of having uttered wish that the Americans would
respect the Mexican nationality" is proof, not
ly that he has failed to understand the American
people this subject, but that he has lost sight of
all the facts which belong to it. What had "Mexi-
can nationality" to do with the admission of Texas
into the American Union' Was not Texas free,
sovereign, and independent State Had she not
been recognised as such by Mr.. Guizot himself, as
the organ Of the nationality of France' Did Mr..
Guzot propose, did he wish, that the nationality Of
Texas should become merged again in that Of Mex
icoi No such proposal was ever heard from him,
such wish was ever entertained by him. What
wished by him, and above all by his "enienie
cordiale" allies, to whose wishes his own was but
an echo, was simply that Texas should NOT blend
her nationality with that Of the United States Why
this wish ardently cherished by those allies,
we will not stop here to point Out, though it would
oe no difficult task to lay bare lis fountain head.