The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-24
From the Neio York Tribune.
The French Difficulty,

Ii is Voltaire lis it not) who tells the story about
the simple peasant who, hearing in rapid succession
OF the deaths of The Project, the Bishop, the King,
and finally the Pope, gave up in CONSERVATION,
supposIng the end Of the world had come. But no.
tie next morning the Sun rose as usual the birds
sang, the brooks leaped and laughed Nature
seemed entirely Of tn. dive e.l~..s,.--s
that had paralyzed our peasant; even were
working sweating, trading and schemng as
usual; and he finally was driven TO conclude that
the world might possibly hold on somehow, though
Prefect, Bishop, King, and Pore had happened to
drop off. There Is philosophy 10 this apologize
whIrh earnestly commend TO the blowers OF the
press and the exchange
We have no doubt that our Government has
acted with proper discretion, dignity and frmness
in the matter Of It's difference with the French En-
bassadOr. We know that the latter has received
his dismissal, and that our minister will Of course
be served with a duplicate Of II at Paris. swell
what of itin If the salaries would stop in conse-
quence Of this hare-up, that would be something:
but we don't apprehend any such extraordinary
disaster as that Both ministers will get their pay
for the whole period that diplomatic intercourse may
happen 10 remain suspended: and after while Mr..
Rives or some one else will make his bow and
gracious speech in Paris as the accredited Repre-
sentative of the United States, while a welcome
successor 10 NJ Poussin will put his legs under the
Presidents mahogany at Washington. There will
be some more dust kicked up but our two nations
are not going 10 war on question Of diplomatic
etiquette. Louis Napoleon may hate us, but he
viii noe declare war, because he has no means Of
successfully assaiiIpg us; while " he wants non-ln-
tcrcou.se, we will hold Up both hands for it. Blu,
he Is not fool enough TO desire that The artisans
Of Paris and Lyons hate HIM sufficiently already;
non-intercourse will secure for him the hatred Of
their masters as well Itwould not hurt this coun-
try w The east, but would be far more likely TO
benefit a. All these considerations I've IN plain
SIGHT. France will not initiate a non-iniercourse-
and certainly we need not As 10 war, Persia
might a. sensibly declare war against US The
idea is absurd.
We care not button which side loses ~ wins
in the Safeguarding operations Of the day; but
whoever expects war 70 grow o9t 81 this breeze
will very certainly be disappointed.
The Boston Journal ofthe 2lst IN abiding TO th,
tone and language Of Mr.. POussIn's note Of the Bis
Of May 10 the Secretary Of State, says
q" A more cspuous dscourteoUs, and undiplo
matte note than the above, venture 10 say can
not be found IN the archives Of the State DEPART
ment u fully justIhes the course which the Gov
eminent has taken IN disseminating all intercours,
with the French Minister The Secretary Of Stat,
could not, without q violation of dignity, reply Il
his insulting note, and no alternative remained bu
to refer the matter 10 the French Government with
/ a demand Tor the recall of the offending minister
/ Every true American citizen must regard the mat
Ter IN this light and feel thai the honor Of the coun
I try 70 involved ~ the controversy. We do not ap
prehend thai this sffair will terminate in war will
France bat, whatever the result, we feel conhden
that the Administration has, IN thus promptly van
dicating the national honor, met ths views snd fee
! ipgs Of every intelligent and patriotic American