The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-08

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Europe. When, In l792, a popular constitution
had been received by Louis XVI, he announced
his acceptance Of II to the several nations, and
with very different results. II reused all the
monarchies OF Europe, sooner or later, to
mighty and combined effort for the extinguisl-
ment of the popular cause in France, as a neces-
sary measure OF security TO the ancient system. .
On the contrary, the President of the United
States transmitted the vrtuous, but irresoute
Kings letter to Congress.
The House OF Representatives, in their reply,
assured him of their "sincere participation in
the interest Of the French nation on that great
and important event, and Of their wish that the
wisdom and magnanimty displayed in the
formation and acceptance Of the Constitution
might be rewarded by the most perfect attain
mont OF its object--ihe permanent happiness of
so great people" This, sir, was the first SAL
utation to republicansm IN Europe by the gov
ernment of the United States, and II was, in
effect, protest against armed Intervention then
organized beyond the Rhine. Sardinia and
Austria, on the other hand, entered Immediately
into treaty, and were soon afterwards followed
by Russia, the Netherlands and Great Britain
and thus was established the first combination,
under the name Of the allied powers, to oppose
by force the principles Of the American revolu-
ton. TO establish this point, it is necessary to
refer only to Whcaton'a History of the Law Of
Nations. " II was an armed Intervention to re-
store the ancient order of things in France, aud
against the principles of the French revolution,
deemed TO be of dangerous example and con-
tagious Influence on the neighboring mon
arches"
On the 22d Of April, 1894, when France had
adopted the republican system, and had driven
beyond her borders the allied powers who had
entered them TO vindicate the cause of the de-
posed and executed monarch, the committee Of
safety, exercising the executive functions Of the
state, announced by letter to our Congress that
"a national government had been born i'm
France, and with it victory that internal order
had been restored, and that the conspirators
against the republic had fallen;" and they de-
clared their desire to "draw closer than ever
the bonds of friendship which united the French
nation and the United States" The Senate, in
reply, assured the committee of safety of their
/" friendship and good will for the French repub-
lie" and the House of Representatives declared
themselves duly impressed :. by the friendly and
affectionate manner in which they had been adj
dressed" and rendered an. unfquipocal assu-
rance that the Representatives of the people of
the United States had much interest in the hap
piness and prosperity of the French republic"
The question of closer political alliance, and
OF more intimate artificial ties with France, thus
presented formally by the committee of safety,
was urged upon Washington with dscourtesy
and vehemence by agents of that nation. He
met il promptly, and denied it emphatically, by
the proclamation of September, 1884, in which
he declared that, in compliance with duty and
interest," the United States would assume and
maintain neutral attitude in the war then
raging in Europe. Disappointed as France was,
the convention OF that republic, nevertheless,
within six months afterwards, ordered the Amer
lean flag to be displayed as a symbol of their
principles in the hall of their debates, and re-
ceived it, when presented for that purpose by
the American minister, with enthusiastic Demon
STATIONS Of respect and fraternal affection
towards the American people.
Sixteen months after the date of the procla-
nation, and while it continued to regulate the
action of the government, Washington received
the French minister, Adet with letter from the
committee of safety, and the tri-colored standard
of the French republic, on the first day of the
new year-a day specially appointed, because it
was day OF general JOY and congratuaton.
The committee by that letter informed the
United States that they had received assurances
of sympathy, which had been given to them by
the American minister in Paris, with rapture.
and added that they were well aware that the
United States truly understood that the victories
of the French strengthened their own indepen-
dence and happiness. Washington replied, that
" his anxious recoections, his sympathctic feel
ings, and his best wishes, were rresistibly ex-
cited whenever he saw in any country an OPP
pressed nation unfnrl the banner of freedom;
and that, above ALL the events of the French
revolution had produced in him the deepest so.
licitude, as well as the highest admiration"
Rising into n tone Of earnestness and enthusi.
asm, unusual with that seemingly imperturbable
magistrate, he added:
" rejoice thai the interesting revolutionary
movements of so many years have issued in the
formation Of n constitution designed 10 give
permanency TO the great object for which YOU
have contended. rejoice that liberty, Of which
you have been the invariable defenders, now
finds an asylum in The bosom Of n regularly or
gained governments government which, be-
ing formed TO secure the happiness of the French
people, corresponds with the ardent wishes Of
my heart, while Il gratifes the pride Of every
citizen Of the United States by It's resemblance
to their own. May the friendship Of the two
republics be commensurate with their exist
cnce'
The Senate on that occasion declared that
they "uniied with Washington in all the feel
ings he bad so ardently and 30 sublimely ex-
pressed" The scene in the House of Repre-
sentatiyes was among The most inspiring ever
exhibited in the natal halls Of American indie
pendence. On taking the chair, the Speaker an
nounced TO the House that they would receive
which would excite the most
pleasing satisfaction IN every American heart,
and cautioned the representatives and the PEG.
pic 10 attendance 10 confne the fervor of their
enthusiasm within the restraints Of propriety and
dignity. Washington's message was read, the
colors OF The French nation were received and
the letter Of the committe OF safety
was submitted and considered, and thereupon
TIE representatives unanimously resolved, amid
in and around the chamber, that
they "receyed the communication Of Franee
with sincere and lively sensibilily, and that they
deemed the presentation Of the eolors of the
French republic most honorable testimony Of
The existing sympathy and affections Of the two
republics, founded on their solid and reciprocal