The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-03-25

addressed and rendered an unequ'voedl as
surance that the Representatives OF the People
of the United States had much interest IN the
happiness and prosperity OF the French he
public" '
The question of a closer political alliance and
of more intimate artificial ties with France,
thus presented formally by the Committee OF
Safety, was urged upon Washington with dis
courtesy and vehemence by agents of that ma
ton. He met it promptly, and denied 1t EN-
phatically, by the Proclamation OF September,
1894, 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. Disap-
pointed as France was the Convention OF that
Republic nevertheless within six months at
forwards ordered the American flag to be dis
played as a symbol of their principles in the
Hall of their debates and received IT. when
presented for that purpose by the American
Minister, with enthusiastic demonstrations 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 receiy-
ed the French Minister, Adet with letter
from the Committee of Safety, and the tri-col-
ored standard of the French Republic, on the
first day of the new year-a day specially ap-
pointed because it was day of general JOY
and congratulatiOn. The Committee by that
letter informed the United States that they
had received assurances of sympathy, which
had been given 10 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 independ
ence and happiness Washington replied, that
9 his anxious recOlectons, his sympathetic
feelings, and his best wishes, were irresistibly
excited whenever he saw in any country an
oppressed nation unfurl the banner of freedom
and that above all, the events of the French
Revolution had produced in him the deepest
solicitude as well as the highest admiration"
Rising into tone Of earnestneSs and enthusi-
asm, unusual with that seemingly imperturba-
BILE Magistrate, he added:
II rejoice that the interesting revolutionary
ments OF so many years have issued in the formation
OF Constitution designed to give permanency to the
great object for which you have tontonded. | re-
Joice that Libery of which you have been the in
variable defenders now finds asylum in the bosom
OF regularly organized Governments Govern
tnc r rcncn" rcopie, corresponds with the ardent
wishes of my heart while il gratifes the pride of every
ctizen OF the United States by its resemblance to
their own. May the friendship of the two Republics
be commensurate with their existence
The Senate on that occasion declared that
they united with Washington in all the feel
ings he had so ardently and so subIimely ex-
pressed" The scene in the House of Repre-
sentatives was among the most inspiring ever
exhibited in the Natal Halls of American In
dependence. On taking the Chair, the Speaker
announced to the House that they would re-
celye communication which would excite the
most pleasing satisfaction in every American
heart, and cautioned the Representatives and
the People in attendance to confne the feryor
OF their enthusiasm within the restraints of
proprety and dignity Washngton's message
was read, the cOlOrs of the French Nation were
received and unfurled, the Letter of the Com
mlttee OF Safety was submitted and considered,
and thereupon the Representatives unanimous
ly resolved, amid acclamations in and around
the Chamber, that they received the COM
munlcation of France with sincere and lively
sensibilty, and that they deemed the presenta-
ton of the colOrs of the French Republic
most honorable testimony of the existing SYM
pathy and affections of the two Republics,
founded on their solid and reciprocal interests,
and that they rejoiced in the opportunity of
congratulating the French Republic on the
brilliant and glorious achievements accom-
plished underit and that they hoped that those
achievements would be attended with a per-
feet attainment of their object--the Liberty
and Happiness of that great People" Sir, were
not these ceremonies a demonstration of SYM
nv nprnocrenu in
tories thus celebrated were won from the
Allied Powers combined to Cypress France by
force. Were not these ceremonies a protest
against their unlawful intervention
Nevertheless, the United States perseyered in
the course marked out by the Proclamation
and Washington, in his Farewell Address. pub
lished year later, declared, in language truly
quoted here, that the great rule of conduct for
us in regard to foreign nations was in extend
ing our commercial relations to have rs little
political connection with them as possible, and
to avoid duplicating ourselves by artificial ties
in the ordinary vicSsltudes of European poll
ties and in the ordinary combinations and col
llslons of national friendships and enmties.
Sir, that policy was necessary, and for that
reason, if for no other, was wise. The flames
OF war ragged throughout Western Europe, and
its lurid blaze lighted up the Ocean. Both the
belligerents recklessly turned Pirates, and sup
piled themselves by the robbery of our unarm-
ed, unprotected merchant vessels Great Brit
ain still, in violation of the recent treaty of
peace, held the military posts on our Western
borders, and had control of the passions of the
savages amongst and around us, and was only
waiting pretext for decisive blow at our
newly-acqulred Independence; and France was
seeking at the same time to involve us in the
strife and to force us to give the pretext. Never
theless, impatient "a she was for our cO-Opera-
ton, she was herself deranged and disorganiz-
ed, adopting every year a new Constitution,
and nearly every month taking for her Execu-
tive organ some new and more reckless and
ferocious cabal, and thus was unable to assure
us against the treachery of her own domestic
factions. Well did Jefferson Secretary of State
to Washington, while defending the policy of
his immortal Chief declare that if the United
States had painted for war as much as ancient
Rome--if their armies had been as effective as
those of Prussia-if their Golfers had been full
and their debts annihilated even then peace
would have been too precious to have been pat
at hazard against odds 80 fearful, with an ally
more dangerous than the enemy And what
was the condition Of the United States, that
they should have periled all in the domestic
fury of France, or on the angry tide of her for
eign conflicts! An infant country, sunk deep
in debt, without any land or naval force with
an armed enemy on her borders and from ne
cessity paying tribute at the same time to the
African Corsairs; nay worse-unable to obtain
their forbearance, because unsuccessful in bor-
rowing funds to pay the tribute money. What
less than madness would it have been to have
entered into closer alliance and to have as
sumed more intimate ties with II nation whom
they could not have aided, and in going to
whose help they would have been certain to
have persisted. Saius Populi est supreme Ier
Neutrality was necessity, and therefore a
duty.
admit that the policy of the Proclamation