The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-04-27

Iithuiiu randolph combated it; and
General Washington, it would seem
agreed with them, declaring, as
reported by Mr.. Jefferson, "tlfat he
had but one object, that Of keeping
the PEOPLE quiet until Congress
met" The proclamation, in truth.
originated nothing; it created moth.
mg. 1t established the status Of lhe
country, only until Congress should
meet But it declared the opinion
OF President Washington rs to the
duty OF his country, and that that
duty was neutrality.
The Senator from Louisiana.
whose absence | very much regret,
because | ain commenting on the
very able speech which he delivered
here few days ago. ,>and which, !
doubt not, will have its effect upon
the country iii the decision to which
they will come on this question-in
speaking Of this proclamation, says
further:
"a war had Just broken out lie.
tween France and England--.I should
say, between France and coalesced
Europe, France alone struggling for
her liberties and the liberties Of
mankind, against the world in arms.
he question arose, what part a.
merlca should act in that awful con.
iiict. Would she redeem those
pledges which ardent and enthusiast
ie minds had persuaded themselves
that she was under, and taking the
part OF France, strike hy her side
for the liberties of the world? She
could not join England in a crusade
against those liberties. Would she,
then, participate in the struggle, or
would she rather remain a quiet
slectatofsaf the gigantic scene, and
sssshdifSt "a - - 5!fpsS tiis lestinics 10
necessity ryne iu,per s5sr 70
choose the last alternative"
lie here conveys the idea that
the American people were deferred
from cmbarliny i'll that war with
France, only because Of their dcbili
tated condition. That, he holds.
was their necessity" Now, I ap-
prehend the history of that period
shows very differently. Washington
issued the proclamation Of neutrality
iii April. Congrcss met in the
ensuing December; and so far from
declaring any war. with view to
aid oar former ally, France, Con
grcSs passed, from time to time, a
a series Of laws TO protect this coun.
try i'll the neutrality thus established.
Things went SO far, as we know from
the history of tie times, that Con-
grcss at last authorized rcprlsals to
bc made against France, oil account
of stoGation Oh American commerce:
anl Ike scene closed by formal
act Of the Congress of the United
States, repeating the treaty Of
Hts. ami with il all the guarantees
which it had made to France. !
had adduce this for the purpose Of
showing, that, so far as the spirit Of
the american people is TO be asccr.
tanned from the legislation Of the
country, during the whole of that
trying period, Congress sustained the
President Of the United States IN
his neutral lolIcy, and Iasscd every
law which they considered would
conducc to the preservation Of neu.
trality, and keep the country free
irom all foreign obligation.,
1t is known, Mr.. President, that
MIR. jefferson, who afterwards be.
came the head Of the republican, as
distinguished from the federal party
III the country, was a member OF
General Was'.lngton's ad,nilistra-
ton. His sympathics and kindness
towards the people Of France, none
have ever doubted; but Mr.. Jcffer-
son was a statesman. lie sustained
Washington III issuing the rroclama-
ton, as he sustained the government
thereafter III the principles upon
which it had been issued. In look
ing back to that day, have taken
an extract from letter written by
MIR. Jefferson, thcn Secretary Of
State, to MIR. Morris. then minister
! OF this country in England, dated
August Is, 1898, in which lie states:
"On the declaration of war be-
| L. ~