The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-10

DlQudL. ~ IJuOtlnS Tic WoiuS Vi duo.h0i,
the Journal tells us--ss.1Ir. Walsh as a
consul only, and as responsible to the Goo-
eynment for his acts, and not his opin-
ions,"
We have heard it said that words were
sometimes deeds; and if history be true,
writings are acts, and often OF fatal ETH
cacy. In his recent letters, as we shall
presently show, Mr.. WALSH takes part
against Hungary, and in favor of Russia,
in the fearful conflict which is now waging,
| if, indeed, it has not already closed
in the triumph Of despotism. Now, is not
this action3 Does it not operate to nerve
the arm of tyranny, and to dishearten the
already bleeding and Responding cham
pions of libertyl And is not the effect IN
creased by the notorious fact that he who
writes is an officer of the United States!
He speaks, therefore, with authority, de-
rived from his position. Whatever may
be his technical responsibility to the Gov
eminent, he must be supposed to speak
their sentiments. So the world will Judge
Whatever the Journal Of Commerce may
think of 1.-THE people of this country will
hold the Administration strictly accounta-
BILE for the conduct of our consul at Paris
They give him his station; they give sane
ton and authority to his words. If he ut
ter opinions upon public and political mat
tiers, and be continued in office, the world
will Justly infer that these opinions are &C
ceptabe to the Government. If they are
not acceptable, and he still holds his place,
then the Government will stand charge
able with occupying false position-false
to themselves and to the country.
Let us take another view of the matter.
Whoever has looked over Mr.. WALsH's
letters in the Icing .Age, has seen that
| he has denounced in very offensive and
hippant terms almost every member Of the
French government-the assembly-the
ministry and the President of the republic.
The latter he charges, by very plain in
situation, with having obtained his place
by bribery and corruption. Is not this &C
ton Is it not action for which Mr..
WALSH is responsible to our government
To bring the matter home, let US sup
pose that France or England kept con-
sui here, who was filling the papers there
with denunciations of our institutions, our
people, and our public men ; suppose that
his language passed the bounds of ordina-
ry decency, and became revolving from
its rabid virulence-what would be the
effect J Should we not feel vexed and
,irritated Would not such writings tend
to embroil our country with that of the
offender Would not our government be
called upon by public sentiment, if not
from regard for their own self-respect,
to ask the recall of such officer
And why should not the French nation
feel thus irritated towards us-especially
as the impairment and malignant gossip
of our consul has been INDUCED at a mo-
ment of agitation, when, of necessity
every nerve is keenly sensitive to the
slightest touch The public need not be
informed by us that the French have, Of
late, manifested FESTIVE feeling towards
the United States ; and, if we Judge
Alright, slight mistake now might bring
about the most serious consequences. II
is not at all impossible that Mr.. WALsH's
, imprudence has been the cause OF seriou.
mischief already. Certainly, it would, in
) our opinion, be contrary TO every dictate
Z of freedom to maintain him in a position
, to involve the Government in farther re
/; sponsibility for his actions.
] But there are even more serious grounds
: of objection TO Mr.. WALSH than these
We do not allude to the UNSATISFACTORY
5 manner in which he discharges the tech
nical duties OF his office-of which there
is abundant proof at hand, and which fur
! nish sufficient ground for his recall Thi,
: is trihe, compared with the sentiment,
{ plainly set forth in his very last letter in
the Journal of Commerce We cannot
better state the case than by quoting the
[ following article from the New Yorl
Tribune of Friday last
consul WALSH rSvoKrSo THE cossAcKs TO cRusl
FREEDOM.
The last letter Of Robert Walsh our consul a
Paris, to the Journal Of Commerce says:
"Therc il affinity between the present phase
of this continent, and that Of the first years Of th
old French revolution, which, in my view, render
applicable, qtDotabie, the language Of Burke, ii
his mastery epistle To the Empress Of Russia date
in 1891
Madame, your glory will be complete, If, afte
having given peace % Europe by your moderation
you shall bestOw stability on all it, governments b.
r your vigor and decision. The debt which your i'm
Porial majestys august predecessors have contract
: ed TO the ancient manners Of Europe by means @
which they civilized a vast empire, will be nobl
repaid by preserving those manners from the hide
Gus change with which they are now menaced n
he intapention Of Russia The icorid ,cH be pgeserre
from barbarian and rum
"Some of your readers may be startled and evei
indignant, at this my addition-thst the repression
Of anarchy, the restoration and rescue Of poiitico
order the safety Of civilization itsefrnay yet Dc