The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-16

these were two questions OF vital lm-
portance to the country, and involving
the fundamental principles of the Con-
stitutun for discussion. In their pro-
gress, they cast upon the Government
heavy responsibility, and great trou.
BILE and labor, and were watched with
a jealous solicitude by the whole COM
munity, which was divided in opinion
especting the points involved in their
solution. Happily, by the wisdom and
frmness of the patriot then at the head
of the Government, and by the good
sense Of the nation, they passed away,
without leaving behind them any effects
injurious 10 our institutions. These
controverted subjects are the questions
which arose in Georgia, respecting the
relative rights of the Indians and Of
the States, within whose jurisdiction
they live, and that which arose in South
Carolina, respecting the power of the
State Legislature to nullify an act OF
Congress.
In 1886, General Cass left the De-
partment Of War. 1t is well known
that he enjoyed the full confidence OF
General Jackson, who was anxious he
should retain his seatin the cabinet. till
the expiration of the administrations
But his health having been broken down
by his official labors, he could not re-
main, and he retired, with the decisive
proofs Of the good feeling and satisfac-
ton of the President. One was Il
warm letter, thanking him for his ser
vices, and expressive of the kindest
sentiments toward him personally; and
the other was the mission to France.
TO which he was appointed. During
his residence at Paris, arose the ques-
ton of the quintuole treaty, one Of the
most portentous subjects which has
ever threatened our honor or interest.
England, from prolessed philanthropic; ;
but from really interested motives
was seeking to establish new princi-
pie of maritime police, by which she
could search the vessels of all nations
traversing the ocean. BY persevering
efforts, she had obtained separate trea-
ties with various powers OF Europe,
some great and some small-sor moth
ing is too high or too low for human
additionally which the right of search
was granted. She then said, through
her secretaries, Lord Palmerston and
Lord Aberdeen. that as she could not
execute these treaties without search
ing the vessels of all nations, to ascer-
tain to which they belonged, she should
assume that right, and stop and board
the vessels of the United States wher-
ever they might be found. And to give
more moral weight to her pretenslons,
she projected another treaty with tie
four great powers of Europe, embrace
ing in it the right of search, and intend
ed TO make it the law Of the ocean.-
The treaty was signed before public at
tention was much turned to it, bot for
tunately ~ it was not ratified; and 1t was
of vital portance to the United States.
and all other powers interested IN the
freedom of the seas, that it should not
be ratified by France. 1t was, of course
we'll known, that from the nature Of
their governments, the rali.Icatlons Of
Russia, of Austria, and of Prussia would
not be withheld. But France being Il
constitutional monarchy, and public
opinion operating powerfully there up
on the administration, it was hoped the
nation might be induced to act upon it.,
through the Chamber rot Deputies. And
it was obvious, from the state OF the
maritime,worId, thatlt France could be
Withdrawn from this coniederacy, no
new principle of public law could be
created. to which she and the United
States should refuse their sanction. A
qu!ntuple treaty would be dangerous;
but quadrupe treaty would be with
out the least effect or influence. To
produce, therefore, this result, was an
object Of the highest importance; and
the American Minister at Paris, finding
himself without instructions from his
Government, had to depend upon bis
own resources, and to act upon his
own responsibility. His operations
were two-foId. First, to operate upon
public sentiment, and then directly up-
on the Government. His pamphlet up
on the right Of search, was the measure
he adopted to effect the first object, and
his formal protest against the French
ratification of the treaty, the second.
The pamphlet was published in Eng
lish, in French, and in German, and
was distributed thrpughout Europe. Its
effect is well known, and we need not
dwell upon it here. The appeal, by
protest, to the French Government.
was successful. That paper has been
and our readers have, no
doubt. neruspd il. We shall not ouOte