The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-10-20
Our FOREIGN Policy-Mr. Clayton
.y...,.- and the Cabinet,


The indications of the foreign policy
about to be pursued by the present cabi-
met, furnish some slight parallel to the line
policy which was adopted near the close
of the last century, under the administra-
ton of the elder Adams and connected
by the old and respectable federal party
Of that day. On the retirement OF the inn
mortal Washington to Mount Vernon, at
the end of his second presidency, John
Adams become President of the United
States, after an embittered contest between
Jefferson and himself, in which the foreign
policy of the country did not show that
distinct and broad feature. on the general
question between republcanisn and mon
archy, which it did after he closed his Ca
recr, by the defeat at the end of his term.
Yet few months was sufficient to reveal
the character Of the policy adopted by
John Adams and his advisers. is
In that day the great popular agitation
was between the French republic and its
"reminiscences, in opposition to the move
ments and policy Of the old monarchics
and federalism of Europe. Mr.. Adams
cabinet, unfortunately for its own success,
and in opposition to the spirit of the Amer
lean people Of that day, adopted line of
policy in utter and bitter hostility to all
sympathy with the French republic and
French republicansm throughout the
world. On every occasion, that cabinet
assumed the side and played ito the hands
of ministers, agents and diplomatists ofthe
old mona chies. We might enumerate
various acts and incidents illustrating this
general view ofthe policy assumed by the
old and highly respectable cabinet of the
elder Adams s-but it's unnecessary. The
history of those days will furnish the anx-
ious enquirer with all the facts of the case.
What singular parallel do we not find
in the policy Of the present cabinet, head
ed by Mr.. Clayton, and imposed on the un-
suspecting General Taylor, our magnan-
imous President What singular paral-
lei between the position now assumed to-
wards the French republic of the present
day, contrasted with what is pursued to:
wards the absolute and military despot-
isms on both continents! .
At the end of nearly half century, we
see by some inscrutable dispensation of
Providence, policy adopted by the Amer
lean cabinet, similar to that which broke
down the administration ofJohn Adams
a policy hostile to the spirit Of the Ameri-
can people, and insulting to their warm
and energetic sympathy for republicanism,
wherever it is to be found. Already the Ell:
forts made by Mr.. Clayton and his organs,
to create quarrel out OF Il question of et-
iquette with the French republic, while he
is endeavoring to prop up and sustain the
military despotism Of Spain for little
while longer, on this continent, presents
series Of facts which, when sufficiently
brooded over, will cause a rebound in the
hearts of the American people. and lead
- to consequences very unfortunate TO the
unbounded popularity Of our patriotic Pres
ident, who has been entirely bewildered
by the meshes of narrow set Of polti-
clans at Washington. Such an attempt
to get up quarrel with France-to create
ruputre with the only republic in the old
world-has been for fifty years under the
ban in this great country-and the attempt
to revive it at this late day, by the tea pot
cabinet, headed by Mr.. Clayton, will nev-
, er succeed in this great enlightened, and
liberal age, among such an intelligent and
reading generation as is now spread over
this great country.-N Y. Herald.