The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-06-14
PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
MIR. Buchanan 20 Mr.. Rush.


>
the French revolution, and OF the course which you have
adopted towards the provisional government am nap
py to inform You that the President cordially approves
your conduct II was right and proper that the envoy eA
traoTdnary and minister pleupoenhary IRON tDe oh'eu
States should be the first TO recognise, so iat as Ms pow
ers extended the provisional government OF the french
republic Indeed had The representative OF any G bas
been regretted By the President Your speech on me
2Sth ultmo, the Hotel de Vlle to the members OF he
provisional government was eminenty ludlcous whist
ii truly expressed the feelings OF the President and PEG
pie OF the United States for the success oil the new e
public, II did not omit our cherished pohcy, OF leaving
to other nations the choice OF their own forms OF gov
eminent
transmit you herewith, letter of credence from the
President to the French republic You are also furnish
ed with copy of this letter, which you Will commun-
cate the Minister of Foreign Affairs. on asking an au
dience for the purpose OF delivering the original TO the
chef executive authority IN France A, tins audience,
YOU will make such remarks may be Dictated by your
own good Judgment and discretion, and by your hnow
edge OF the lively interest which the President feels IN
the prosperity and stability of the French republic.
In its Intercourse with foreign nations, the government
OF the United States has, from It's origin, always recog
Missed de facto governments We recognise the right OF
all nations to create and reform their political institutions,
according to their viii and pleasure. We do not go
behind the existing government TO involve ourselves IN
the question OF leg hmaey Is sulclen Tor US 10 KNOW
that government exists capable OF maintaining itself
and then It's recognition our part inevitably lolows;
This principle of action resulting from sacred regard
for the independence OF nations, has occasoned some
strange anomalies in our history The Pope, the En-
peror OF Russia and President Jackson were the only
authorities on earth which recognised Don Miguel
as King OF Portugal
Whilst this is our settled policy does not follow that
be Indifferent spectators to the progress OF
liberty throughout the world and especially IN France
We can forget the obligations which we owe TO
that generous naton their add al the darkest period OF
our revolutionary war, in achieving our own lndepen-
! dence These obligations have been transmitted from
father son-from generation TO generation; and are
still gratefully remembered Theyyet hive freshly IN the
hearts of countrymen. 1t therefore with one
universal burst of enthusiasm that the American people
| halle The al Or
liberty and republican government In this feeling the
President strongly sympahi5es. Warm aspirations for
the of the republic are breathed IRON every
heart Liberty and order will make France happy and
prosperous Her destines, under Providence are now
in the hands of the French people Let them by their
wisdom rmness and moderation, reue the ISLANDERS OF
their enemies and convince the world that they are caa
| BILE OF se-government
| In our exuation, however cannot forget that re-
publican France will have contend with many dhcul
ties Among the chief OF these, is the danger that she
may be involved in with the monarchlcal powers OF
Europe. This she ought to avoid by every honorable
means and am happy TO believe that such will be The
policy of the French government, from the note OF NJ
Lamartne yourself, of the 9th ultlmo, which he
eoqueny observes hat the principle OF peace and the
principle OF liberty were born the same day IN rance
By abstainng from all aggressive movements France Will
probably be able to perfect her republican institutions IN
peace. Ii scarcely be conceived that any nation
would commence hostles against her, simply because
within her limits she had abolished monarchy and
| established republic.
has been the policy of our government from It's origin
to interfere in the domestic concerns OF other
TONS and experience has demonstrated the wisdom OF
this policy In this respect rance may profit BY our eX
ample. If come she ought carefully to avoid
the appearance of being the aggresso Should she
then be attacked by the monarchical lowers OF Europe
for adopting republican government Tins would be an
outrage her rights Independent nation. would
be attempt TO punish the French people for having
chosen that form of government which they deemed best
calculated to promote their happiness, and to force
upon them monarchy by foreign bayonets. Such an
of these most sacred rights would be condemned
by all just and wise in every nation, and would be
reprobated by an irresistible public opinion throughout
| the world
Ii the new republic can preserve peace with honor ii
will avoid the many dangers to liberty which must al
ways follow IN the tram OF In conflict with the
great powers of Europe, France would be compelled
put forth all her energies She must her armies
10 the highest standard, and may have maintain
them in the field for years. The sympathy OF common
dangers and the glory OF common victories throughout a
long and successful struggle calculated to excite feel
ngs of enthusiastic attachment towards their
triumphant commander Under such circumstances, the
history of the world proves that soldiers too prone
to forget their country admiration for their leader
| From Cesar to Cromwell, and from Cromwell to Napo-
leon, all powerful republics have been destroyed by
cessiu generals fresh from the fields OF their glory Ii
would be most lamentable indeed, should the
public split upon this rock In that event. the very
which she had adopted to defend her Liberties against the
foreigner might be employed to establish military des-
posm at home. Such catastrophe would probably, for
many years. arrest the progress OF constitutional freedom
| throughout Europe.
and free government throughout the world, France
do by her peaceful example than she could accom-
plish powerful she by the sword The example OF
great and enlightened nation, the midst OF Europe,
prosperous and happy III the enjoyment OF constitutional
freedom, could not all 10 produce irresistible influence
in ameIorang the political condition of neghboring ma
tons. Free institutions their very nature progress
sive and permitted TO extend themselves by their
intrinsic power and excellence, they must gradually and
surely pevade the civilized world The people of each
Independent nation will then decide for themselves what
degree OF liberty best adapted to their condition with
out the foclbe Intervention of other nations If France
can maintain peace with honor, general in Europe
between opposite and contendng principles will be avoid
ed and the OF the human will not be sak ed
upon the result of few great battles, nor be decided by
mere brute force
shall mention another difficulty which might posi-
bly, interfere with the final success OF the French revolu
ton, but which hope may be 1t will, think,
be seriously doubted by every philosophical observer OF
the working OF institutions whether, If the State gov
ernments abolished, central republican govern
nent could long be maintained even IN this country
these State governments are the cltades OF liberty, and
the watchfu guardians of the rights of the people against
the encroachmens of federal power. Even If 1t were
possible that the federal government could, by any sud
den convulson be overthrown, the State governments
would still remain full force and vigor, aordng pro-
lection 10 the lives the liberty, and the property OF their
citizens These soveregntes the main pillars in our
political edice and whilst they stand firm the federal
government which is constitutional emanahon from
them, cannot be seriously shaken. And yet, 1t was
deemed necessary 10 guard against the danger OF any FOR
chile interference by excited muutudes with the hgh du-
ties of the President and Congress and Tor this reason
Washington opposed the establishment of the seat OF the
federal government in any OF our large cities.
The history of the former French revolution has,
think, rendered doubtful the stability of any purely cen
trail republican government in France When such a
a. all Last hnfa