The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-13

our ancient political landmarks. AZ tho mariner
consuits his chart and takes by day the altitude Of
the sun, and at night his observations are directed
TO the stars-so SIR it is heatbful for to go back
to the principles and the policy Of our Govern
ment--break upon the altnr OF our faith the sacra-
mental bread, and renew our hdeiity to tho max
inns which our fathers established, and which have
bornc them and US from feeble infancy to high
and vigorous and unsullisd manhood.
revolution in France in l792, and the enthu-
siastc reception OF hor minister, Citizen Genet,
may form some parallel to the reception OF Kos.
suth The former appealed TO the people from the
Government, and his example has been initiated
by the Hungarian noble. In the case OF Genet,
he came accredited as the representative OF hia
government, and made reputation for "inate-
rial aid" beyond the stipnlations OF our treaiies
with France. We find the other individual, the
representative Of no existing government, urging
upon q course of action widely different from
our established policy. In despite oi the sympa,
thy for our former friend and ally, and the bril-
liant but delusive hope that twenty mllions OF
people could spring at once into the enjoyment OF
true and perfect liberty, calm and moderate coun-
sells prevailed and the Father OF bis Country issued
his famous proclamation OF nc0trality, and thus
made the first application Of the doctrine OF non
Intervention a Fundamental principle OF the Anne
rican Government
We were under treaty obligations with France.
which we're oppressive and dangerous to US as
neutral power. In the darkest hour of our Revo
luton, and in our EXTREMIST need, France had sent
men and money and ships and munitions OF war
of our new born principle of Government. as from
a wish to cripple her ancient and invcterate foe.
On the 9th Of February, ITS. treaty Of amty and
commerce, and on the same day treaty oi al
lance entered into in which, by article n,
we guaranteed to France. forever, her then e1ist-
ing possessions in North America, and such as she
might subsequently acquire. And ON the l4th day
Of November, IT'S, Consular Convention was
concluded, by the 18th article Of which the United
States yielded up to France all civil and maritime
control over hor armed vessels and their prizes In
our ports.
These treaty stipulations. granted 10 our ally in
the hour Of our wea ness, and in gIaiude FOR her
timely aid in our struggle for freedom would prac-
ticnlly have involved US, not only in the bloody
contest which followed her revolution, but also in
the protTncted which, with short nterlnIselon
ended only in the peace of 1915.
The warm sympath hies of the American people
were strongly enlisted in the cause of their friend
and ally and natural hope that our example had
impressed itself upon the nations of the GARTH
caused an ou,burst of popular feeling which seemed
ready for conflict with all the despots OF the
world
The King Of France, our friend, had been taken
to the block and yet our unrestraned love OF llb-
erty caused much sympathy with bis executioners
An unholy combination was forming against tins
young republic Of France, under the lead OF her
ancient enemy and twenty seven treaties OF ALI
ance, offensive and defensive, had been formed to
smother and crush the ripenng liberties OF that
volatile but mighty nation.
In this delicate and dangerous position we were
placed, when calm and dispassionate eounsels were
necessary to guide In the true course Of peace,
Of honor and of neutrality. Far better it that
ono mighty nation should preserve bor freedom,
and the happiness Of her people, than that two
| should commngle their dcstinies, and leave the
| world without an example OF free government, and
| almost without hope for the future.
Thus, and then il was, when Washington issued
| his proclamation OF neutrality. and placed our
| country in that proud position amongst the nations
| of the earth which has been full and noby aus
tail In hla
receive a minister from France. Thus reeognis.
| ing the true policy Of our country, which should
| never be departed from-that government De
taeto is the only one we can recognise; with the
internal affairs Of others we should not inter-
mingle
Whereas il appears that war exists between
Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain and the
United Netherlands on the one part, and France
ON the other, and the duty and interest OF the Uni
ted States require that they should with sincerity
and good faith, adopt and pursue conduct iriebd-
ly and impartial towards the bslhgerent powers
have, therefore, thought fit, by these presents, TO
declare the disposition of the United States to ob
serve the conduct aforesaid towards those powers
respectively, and TO exhort and warn the citizens
Of the United States carefully to avoid all acts and
proceedings whatsoever which may IN any man.
nor tend TO controvert such dispositions. And do
hereby also make known that whosoever Of the cat
sens OF the United States shall render himself la
BILE to punishment or forfeiture, under the laws OF
nations, by committing, aiding, or abcthng hoetii-
ties against any of the said powers, or by carrying
10 any OF them those articles which arc deemed con
raband bp nod~rn usage n0fions will receive
the protectio Of the United States against such
punishment or forfeiture and further, that have
given instructions TO those officers 10 whom II be
longs to prosecutions to be instituted against
all persons who shall, within the coRnizance OF
the courts Of the United States violate the laws Of
nations with respect 10 the powers at war, or any
ozone, &c, GEO. WASHINGTON.
"By the President;
"TH JgFrsRsoS."
Marshall. in his life of Washington, speaking Of
this proclamation, says
"This measure derives importance from the con.
sideration that II was the commencement oi that
systom to which the American Government after
wards inhexibly adhered. and to which much Of
the national prosperity is to be ascribcd."
The republic OF France was indignant; but our
own self-respect, and due regard TO our own
safety, forced US TO incur that indignation lost the
nc W born institutions under which were giving
to the world assurance that man was capable Of
self government, and dared TO be Just 10 sll should
be endangered by mingling in The relentless con-
tentions OF Europe.
For that firm neutrality our commerce was de-
spoiled. and we suffered scquestratons md cap
tures 10 an immense amount. lndignitics were
cast upon us until the patience Of a free people
could endure them no longer. Reprisals were
made upon the public and private armed vessels of
France; and on the 7th Of July, l7So, Congress en-
acted ss follows
"The United States are of right freed and
onerated from the stipulation oil the treaties and oil
the Consular Convention heretofore concluded be-
tween the United States and France, and the ssme
shall not hcnceforth be regarded ss obligatory on
the Government or citizens Of the United States"
Negotiations were entered into between both
countries, which at times were Of highly excited
character and fortunately ended in the convention
Of 1900. We received from Frarce a full surren-
der of those onerous and oppressive treaty stpu-
lstions and guarantee, which, II continued, would
have make Va party TO her ware; and the United
States, in consideration Of this acguittance from
treaty obligations surrendered TO France the just
claims Of merchants for spolistions upon their
commerce and their property This is distinctly
stated by dd,f, in his report made TO the Tn
bupes on the 4th December, 1901.
The tsrdy justice of our Government has yet
made no remuneration to the sufferine claimants
for spoliations thus surrendered They have been
begging at your doors for more than thirty years
for smplo justice. ] hope II may no longer be
delayed. Let your suffering citizens feed at
your board Of plenty before the stranger enter,
and is filed with abundance. he just before
we are prodigally generous.
Mr.. President, hope may be pardoned for this
dgrcsson. In searching into the earlier history Of
our faith and our policy, could not bs indifferent
to the claims of thoso citizens who were denied the
protection Of their own Government. and whose
property, when dcspoiled, was made an equivalent
for rCof from ha national guarantees %