The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-11-02
THE UNION.

To us ii would seem proper and even necessary. for
the French government in deciding upon the course TO De
taken 10 regard 70 its own minister 70 consider the provo
ever to consider the who struck rs as deors the issue
Mr. Clayton next, after affirming that the correspond
ence on his part was entirely unexceponable, says
'And you mr. de Tocqueylel could not have failed 10
observe that this department had not 10 any Instance de-
scend ed TO recrimnaton."
This seems to us to approach very near question Of
yeracy on passage in Mr. de Tocquevllles letter. IN
had appeared 10 that this observation of aeerby and
harshness IN the correspondence was not alone appca
Bile 70 The Letters written BY the minister Of France
TO up his charges against the French government
After stating how, in like case, this government would
'render prompt asd proper atonement Tor me injury
minister d Washington has been aeceived with indu-
gence, and deemed Worthy OF paiaon and that ne dis
position has been manifested to redress the wrong and
to announce the determination OF this government to dis
miss the French minister.
The dismissal Of the minister, whom the French gov
eminent had refused to recall was the necessary conse
thing left to be done the part Of this government, not
redress OF the wrong, but as preliminary OF insist
ing on its redress ana here. in our Judgment Mr. Clay
We consider this the crisis Of the CASE which for the
first time involves he dignity Of this government" IT,
indeed i had been compromised BY the French minister
il had now become compromised by the French govern
tnent. II, indeed, il were an "injury." a "wrong,"
demanding "aonefnenf or "redress," to that minis
ter. it now remains an "inury,"a "wrong' demanding
government, "the guardian Of its honor. cannot
choose but to demand and insist upon it. However dan
gerYas \ may be to advance, retreat is disgrace
We cannot but express out utter establishment at Mr.
Claytons invitation Of successor to Mr. Poussn "The
President anticipates with lively satisfaction the arrival
OF Mr. Poussins successorthe" inury," the wrong"
unatoned unredressed--the insult to Mr. Clayton per-
sonally remaining without apology. All these 10 the
contrary, notwithstanding, the President is willing,
the representative OF the honor and dignity OF his coun
try, to consider the rghu OF dismssng the minister
as satisfaction Of national insult; and he invites the
French government so consider it for insult offered
to her. if such they should consider infefribs from Mr.
We repeat Nth emphasis that this gnoble retreat of
the President has deeply compromised the honor OF his
country.
In pursuance OF the announcement Mr. Poussn was
dismissed The act was not mere interdct Of commu
ncation but an inerdct accompanied by offer OF his
passports, which is understood as ago home, sir
We have said it now remains Tor the French govern
ment to take the next step One OF three they must
take: l. To suspend diplomatic intercourse with Mr.
Rives, leaving the only intercourse direct between the
governments through their respective Secretaries of
State 2. Simply abstainng from sending minister to
this government, leaving the intercourse between our
minister and the French government; or, Sending
minister and thus fully restoring the diplomatic inter-
course
The only difficulties in the way on the part OF France,
arise Of expressions in Mr. Cayton's letter TO Mr. de
Tocquevle, and the dismisson OF our minister, Of the
character or validity OF which forbear to speak OF
what is past aad done, have spoken freely; OF the
future, while the matter is pending between the two gov
efnmenlS, IL does not become US Any
We may, however, without violating our own rule, ex-
press the hope that the French government will mmedi
atey restore diplomatic intercourse to its former
footing.
In our review we have spoken Of the diplomatic acts
OF this government the acts of Mr.. Clayton As the
Secretary Of the Department Of State his is the response
blity of proposing all relating to our affairs:
further than this he shares only common responsibility
OF the other six Secretaries all measures OF importance
being submitted to cabinet council. The final Iespon-
sibity, however, rests on the President He is not
bound by the decisions OF his cabinet To him those de-
cisions are only advisory. How extremely important
them it is that he should be well acquainted with the
condition of our foreign relations, and the usages of
lions regulating the diplomatic relations among nations
SAXONIS.