The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-02-20

friendship as had always been shown towards them
they should all be maintained without giving to the
United States any great cause OF complaint, but
without regarding any ilegitimate pretension For
this the United States themselves had gwen tnem
striking example. At the time OF the French revo-
luton, Washington had steadily resisted the popu-
lar camor 10 engage in the conflicts II created In
Europe-to maintain a strict independence towards
all European Stafes-to be the ally OF none, France
or any others He thought that Washington In so
doing was right, and thereby rendered an immense
service 10 his country They were not now In SINH
lar circumstances but he hesltated not TO say mat
the fundamental principle OF the Polcy OF asn-
ington at that time, since become that OF MS coun
try, ought to govern that Of France. And Tor MS
part as long as he had should have, the honor to
sit in the councils OF the crown, he.the friend as
sincere and af1ectonate as any one OF the great So
ciey, of the great governments the URlted states,
accepting willingly their present greatness ana their
future greataess-he would maintain not the less IN
all the questions great and little which may arse In
the new world as In the old-he would m .lntain not
the less the full independence of the policy OF his
country-he would practice not the less what ap-
peared to him conformabe to the interest ofFrance-
And" he added, in conclusion, am sure that
in doing that we shall be understood, and approved
even in the United States. know the power Of
popular errors. know the empire OF popular pas
sons but know also that the modern tree States,
whatever be the form OF their government, monar-
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
zation, aristocratic or acknowledgements always
on this conviction. l will say willingly on this
faith that whatever be the of the moment, at
ter a long and free examination by the empire OF
good sense finish by prevailing, and by directing
public affairs. II is this hope, this faith, which
makes the existence and the safety of modern free
states II will not be the United States which will
give to this salutary and sublime faith painful
denial"
Lengthy as this abstract of Mr.. Guzot's speech
is you may, doubt not, find room for It. II is the
formal and deliberate reply OF the chief OF the GO
vernment OF this great nation to the chief Of the
government of the United States. Il is taken alto
eether most probably a very different reply TO
what Mr. Polk calculated upon. II Is as high and
lofty, as firm and as decided as his own message,
though expressed in more courteous and more
statesmanlke language To Mr.. Folks censure OF
France in the Texas affair, it replies by just6ca
ton of the policy pursued To Mr.. Folks doctrine
tina, NO European mas ns gat 70
gives fiat contradiction, and adds that France az
European power has the right, and, what 10 more,
will exercise it. To Mr. Folks declaration that the
United States will not be the ally Of any European
power-w maintain policy Of strict eutrality in
any contest between European powsrs-it replies,
BE it SO; but, if you will not be our allies, we will
not be yours. Pursue your isolated policy-lt is
right and wise; but remember that we too will pur
the same policy-we too will act strictly for our
own interest, uninfuenced by the remembrance OF
ancient friendships and ancient alliances Help US
not, if you will; but be assured that we will not
help you" Such is the truth and in fact the sum-
mary OF this most remarkable speech, stripped OF all
those friendly phrases and all those cautious forms
of expression, which European statesmen think it
to employ nsi an IN
MED, for II indicates in the most striking manner
the policy that France will hereafter pursue.
Whether it was altogether wise in the chief OF the
opinion from the chief OF the French government,
especially at a period when there is danger OF
rupture with England, is question which every one
OF your readers will decide for himself 10 this
country its importance is duly estimated the mi
niseral party in both Chambers rejoice at 1t, as
well merited rebuke to what they consider the in
sufferable arrogance OF the American President.
The opposition party, on the contrary, are Excess
thing less than formal casting of OF the American
aiance-a formal rupture with their 'natural allies"
and new piece OF trucking to perfidous Albion.
In the discussion on the address in the Chamber
OF Deputies, the United States and Texas have like
wise come IN for good deal OF observation. They
weredrst brought forward by no less parsonage
than M. Theirs, chief OF one OF the opposition
sections of the Chamber-one OF the most eloquent
orators and most eminent Statesmen OF the country,
and formerly minister of foreign affairs. He
observed that 1t appeared to him, from the remarks
in the Presidents message, that the United States
were dissatisfied with the interference OF France
with Texas Affairs BY the attitude they ,s,
United States to consent to allow them to arbitrae
on the oregon question:. 1ney ndQ lNtIeDy COIL
mitted great fau-a great injustice to the United
States, and had even endangered the peace of the
world. This speech, which was remarkable for its
eloquence, created an Immense sensation IN the
Chamber. M GuiZot replied to II at considerable
length.
To these copious summaries OF the speeches Of
the French Minister and his great rival, it is not
necessary to add anything. They set forth the
press are also IN accordance with them-the oppos-
ton journals repeating and enlarglng on the position
taken by M. Thers-the ministerial contending TOR
those of M Gdizot But, Notwithstanding the
lengthy discussions which have taken place in our
Legislature on American matters, I must not be
supposed that we shall hear no more OF them
Again and again will thev be brought forward by
independent members. This day, Tor example,
to the effect that, in the event OF a war between
England and America, France will see that no IN
jury be done to /" the principles Of public right.
which protect on the seas the liberty and dignity Of
American matters may be discussed, and no matter
how severely the opposition may condemn the
Government, it is not likely that any change will
take place in the attitude and language OF the cabinet
On the Oregon question, the newspapers have tor
the most Part confined themselves to the reproduc-
ton of the news from America, and the remarks
thereon of the English press. Their general opinion
appears to be that there will be no war. The Presse
says clearly, that il has doubt at all that England
will, eventually, give In to all the demands OF the
United States Sovernment-and the republican
newspapers say that if she does not do SO in quick
time, the Americans will give her sound drubbing.
The more serious and important journals, however,
think that England is not disposed to give in, and,
though very reluctant to fight, that she would rather
have war than abandon her rights They think her
friendly and concilating language is proof that
she has no intention be buled and they say that
her preparation for shows very clearly that such
is really her intention. Among rejecting people the
impression is, that If there be war, the chances are
as ten to one in favor of England-her navy being
50 very formidable, and her army, compared to that
of the States, so considerable. They do not forget
that America has obtained some victories over her
but they remark that that was when she had two or
three European wars on her hands, and when, con-
sequently, she could not put forth all her strength
Some OF the newspapers think that the time is not
yet far distant when the United States will swallow
up the whole Of Mexico and one or two say, that
they will soon wrest, or coax, or swindle Cana da
from Great Britain.