The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-02-28
M. GUIZoT ON THE MESSAGE.

what the French have TO say on the decent rap
which our President hit that nation over the
knuckles for their interference with our domestic
relations on this side of the big poland we.
therefore, give them Nj. Guizots speech in the
French Chambers Whisgery pretends to see
<" Chimeras dire" in the words Of the French
Minister, but we have no objection to their tick
ling themselves to death with feathers. For our
part. we see nothing in the remarks unbecoming
the high position held by NJ Guzot.
On the discussion of the address in answer to
the Kings speech in the French Chamber of
Peers, some remarks made on the Texas affairs
called Nj. Guizot to the tribune. The correspon-
dent of the European Times given an abstract of
this speech, which excited great sensaton.-
After speaking of Texas he begged permission to
refer the remarks of the Presidents message
on the general relations Of France with the Uni
ted States and of the general policy of the United
States towards France and Europe. He would
himself not have opened such discussion, and it
was not either i'm the interest the necessity of
the two countries to have opened it but since it
was opened, he had no hesitation to say his entire
thoughts about it. They entertained the Same
good sentiments in the same good relations to the
United States as they had always done, and they
meant to maintain them.
They meant to be always for tho United
States old and sincere friends But the United
States are not what they were sixty years ago.
Then they were just created, badly constituted,
and needed support-paternal support. Now
they have grown and prospered, and taken their
places among the powerful of the earth. Far
from regretting, they applauded and rejoced at
this prosperity and grandeur; and not only did
they rejoice their present grandeur, but at their
great destinies in the future. Opinions might
differ as to the merits Of their social organiza ton
| and their political institutions; but it was i'm
| possible not to recognize in that society, and by
consequence in its influence, principles of Justice.
| of humanity, of well being for men, which have
been wanting in the greater part of the States
which have become great and powerful in the
world.
There was reason to hope that in spite of all
the imperfections, all the chances, all the OBJ
scurties of the future of this great people, it will
| exercise its influence in a manner more moral
and more useful than many other great people,
They were, therefore, far from complaining of,
or being alarmed at, the present aad future great
ness of the United States. But they were
obliged to take into serious consideration, and re-
gard with vigilant, not dlstrustful eye, their
greatness and strength and nobody could he
surprised that. in the interests of their country,
they should maintain the independence of their
policy towards the United States great and pow
ment) than they had done towards the United
States newly, born, and hardly sure to live
Even if the simplest common sense do not teach
them that conduct, the message of the President
of the United States indicated it clearly
1t was not for him to say that the words of tho
President were opportune or measured but they
were frank, explicit and honorable. He had read
them attentively and had sought, in the interests
of the country, the policy they conveyed. He
| EoupJ twn thinUs which anneayed In him
cessively grave. The first was, that the United
States have not taken, and will not take part for
OF against any one in the affairs of Europe
They profess they practise a perfectly isoat-
ed policy with regard to Europe--independen
neutrality. He did not blame them. He would
90 further, and say, it was their interest, well
understood and that interest was good policy
But then. (pray mark these words, they are of
vast importance) the United States cannot be
astonished that the policy of France will be, with
respect to the u nited States as Independent, as
purely attached TO the national interest as are
the United States themselves. What they
practice-what they are right to practico-is as
good a rule of policy for Us as for them.
We ought to guard the same independence
we ought to seek equality in all the questions in
which we may be engaged, the national interest,
without sacrificing it to any tradition. TO any
scryener, to any view of an alliance which can
not exist according to the terms even of the
President of the United States. This was the
first thing that struck him in the message. The
second was that the United States could not
permit any European action on the North Ameri-
can continent, and that what in Europe is called
the balance Of power could not be applied either
The maxim, he said, was strange The United
States were not the only nation Of North Amer-
ca. There other Staes--he would only name
Mexico-with the same rights, the same indie
pendence, the same liberty to seek or refuse ALI
ances, to form political combinations in accordance
with their interest, as the United States The
neiphborhood, the existence OF the United States.
could not restrain in any fashion their independ
ence and their rights. Well, with those States
France had treaties, and they had tho right TO
conclude and maintain treaties and would any
one say that in so doing they injured the right Of
the United Siates2
There was nothing in all that they could no,
do again, and the States with which France was
in relation could do the same The language to
which he alluded, if the sense il appeared TO have
were attributed to it, would far exceed the limit
Of the rights that can DO recognized in foreign