The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-27

US1TC4GDs
and rezasss, ~ armsa vssasls II Frnne~. Such
opposition and resistance would have needed no
sanction il committed ia opsn war.
We were not al war with France on the II dav
Of March, 1879; for on that day Congress an-
thorzed the President TO levy and orsanixs add
nonal regiments, IN case shouij break out be-
tween the United States and foreign Euso, can
power.
We were not yet at war on the 10th Of Febru-
airy, 1871; for on that day Congress directed that
all further en'istments should be suspended, un-
less during the recess Of Congyess and during
ine eIsSIny a'gcrfi'es (Which existing differences
the sequel will show were not wnr) between the
United States and France, or imminent danger Of
invasion OF the territory Of the United States by
that republics should. ia the opinion Of The Pr~st-
dent, be deemed to have arisen.
Finally. we were not at war on the 3Oth Of Ser
TENDER 1870 for on that day the then !" sxisting
differences between France aud the United States
were adjusted by convention, concluded GA the
basis that although, in the opinion OF the United
States, the aggressions Of France would swe
have justified an immediate declaration Of war.
yet that they had nevertheless been desrous Of
maintaining peace, ard Of leaving open the door Of
reconciliation with France, and had therefore con-
tended themselves with preparations for Defence
ana measures calculated to protect their CON-
merce. instructions 10 .9Berican Ministers al
Paris, October %, 1899.
Thus, SIR, 1t - shown, that il a war existed,
neither It's beginning, nor its end, nor the way Of
either, he 1scertained and that The United
States were profoundly ignorant of its existence.
If any man IN France, more than another, would
have known the existence OF such war; that man
was Napoleon Bonaparte Yet we have seen that
the music of this "soft and silken war" never
reached the ear Of the Great Captain of France
For, in speaking of the spoliations, lie deserted
them as having been committed Sin time of
peace" 1t was not thus with the other enemies
Of France, while he was at liberty within her bor-
ders, nor has il been SO that the countrymen Of
Washingtcn, Of Taylor, and of Scott, have con-
Quoted their campaigns in other conflicts
II appears from this review thnt the treaties in
question bad been recognized always by both par
ties, and broken in parts by both, but under cir
eumstances OF excuse and palIiation and that
they were therefore in force when the United
States and France mutually agreed to extinguish
them, on the condition of a release of the claims
for indemnes. or the value Of that agreement
it is unnecessary to say more than that without il
the United States might have been held by the an
cient treaty Of alliance to have FOLLOWED to some
extent the varying fortunes Of France through her
wars during the consulate and the empire, until
she found repose, from compile exhaustion, on
he field Of Waterloo.
No reason for rejecting these claims remains,
except that they had not been paid heretofore---
But mere lapse of time pays no debts, and dis
charges no obligations. There has been no re-
lease, no waiver, no neglect, no DELAY, by the
creditors. They have been here twenty-five times
in fifty years; that is to saw thew have appeared
in their successive generations, before every Con-
gress since their claims against the United States
accrued. Against such claims and such creditors
there is no prescription
1t is said, indeed that the nation is unable to
pay these claims now put single question in
reply: When will the nation be more af41aent
than now
The senator, (Mr. HuvTER) says, again, that
if the debts are just, we shouli pay the whole,
and not a moiety; if the claims are unjust, then
the bill propo ses gratniiy-that in the one case
the approximation is too small and in the other too
great. This is the plea Of him who, I think il
was in Ephesus despoiled the statue Of Jupiter Of
its golden robe, saying, gold was too warm in
summer, and too cold in winter for the shoulders
ofthe God
Sir, commerce is che Of the great occupations
of this nation. 1t is the fountain of its revenues
as it is the chief agent Of its advancement in civil
Iization and enlargement of empire II is exeIu-
sivelv the care Of the federal authorities 1t is
for the protection Of commerce that they pass
laws, make tre.iiss, build Notifications, and main.
tain navies upon all the seas. But justice and
good faith defences than treaties, forth
hcations, or naval ornaments. Justice and good
faith constitute true national honor, which feels
a stain more keenly than wound The nation
that lives in wealth and in the enjoyment of DOW
or, and We, under unpaid obligations, lives in dir-
honor and in danger. The nation that would be
Uulv great, or even merely safe, must practice
austere and selfdenying morality.
The faith of canonized ances. ors whose fame
now belongs to mankind is pledged to the pay-
ment of these debts. &C Let the merchants send
hither well-authentcated evidence Of their claims,
and proper measures shall be taken for their re-
lief" This Was the promise Of Washington
The eviden is here. Let US redeem the sacred
and venerable engagement. We have inherited
with it ample and abundant resources, through
his sagacity and virtue, and to them we ourselves
have added the newly discovered wealth Of South
ern plains, and the hidden treasures of the Wes-
tern coasts. With the opening Of the half CEN
tnry, we are entering upon and profitable
intercourse with the ancient Oriental States and
races. while we are graphing more closely to us
the new States on our own continent. Let us
signalize an epoch so important in commerce and
politics by justly dischnrging ourselves forever
from the yet remaining obligations Of the first and
most sacred Of our national engagements. While
we are growing over all lands, let be rigorous
ly just to other nations, just to the several States
and just to every class and to every citizen; in
short, Just in all administration, and lust to-
wards all mankind. So shall prosperity crown
all our enterrrses--nor shall any disturbance
within nor danger from abroad come nigh unto
u.s. nor alarm US for the safety Of freside, Fame,
or Capitol,
The following is extract OF the official ac-
count of the visit Of the Emperor and Empress Of
'Aoy"' w e"' HoiNe, Puoiis"eu III Lie honIteur
HaItlen, Of Port au Prince.
"When the divine Office was ended, their ma
lesties left the church, to the strains of march
played by the ban of the Imperial guard they
proceeded to the palace followed by the same
corege grand banquet served; and at the
dessert, the duke of Tburon gave the following
toast: TO the Emperor, to the Empress, and to
the Imperial famiy!"
MIR. JOS. P. Con,huay, an American citizen,
agent Of the house Of Clark OF BOSTON Iatelv ar
rived IN Hayi, and known for his phianthropc
sentiments, blamed leave to express wish He
gave the following toast
"To the Empire of Havti; to the ndvisibiiity
Of the Hayiien territory !"
Y / r l. + Il 4 A PHI.
Photographed for the Southern Press
New ORLEANS Jan. 81
The case of Henderson, tried for participsting
In the inyasinn of China haa he.n LxaauL.