The daily union., 1854-11-17
NIX. sOuLE.

NIX. S0ULE. 08
The selfconsttued superintendent of American affairs
in Europe and the oracle Of the American press
the United Sa.esthe London Tmesis of opinion that
the refusal of the French government to permit this
gentleman to pass through France his way to Spain
Is mere demonstration of personal hostility against
him in his private character. According to this in
fabe expounder of the laws and doctrines of nations
and the rights and duties of American citizens and
their government Mr. Soule the minister, and Mr. Soule
the American citizen entirely different persons lie
has two bodies souls and two distinct and separate
identities and though Mr. Soult the private gentleman
was unceremoniousy expelled from France, Mr. Soue the
minister has no right consider himself aggreved his
country to resent the ndgnity This is about the sum
total of the reasoning of the Times this head Though
brief il Is maaer piece of metaphysical subtlety and viii
no doubt be entirely satisfactory to the National I"e
gencr as well rs that numerous class OF whig-abohon
journals whose principal vocation is to take sides against
their country in every question where its interests or its
honor come competition with those of other countries
and especially England.
The Times then proceeds to make another distinction Of
somewhat more Importance and not quite so meaphysi
cal Mr. Soule, 1t seems is at one and the same time
citizen Of the United States and subject of France True
he is in his capacity Of minister the representative Of the
American republic and such entitled to various prvi-
lepes by the laws nations yet having had the good for
tune to be born France he is according to the estab
lshed doctrines of legitimacy to which the United States
are bound to submit still anenable to the sovereign VIII
and pleasure Of Emperor of France and his Minister OF
Police as grievance says the oracle in conclusion III
it is one is private affair and though ha happens to be
minister Of the United States he has no public official
character ia France or any other country" Indeed We
shall see
The point thus presented involves the great principle Of
perpetual allegiance and Of the fundamental doctrines OF
legitimacy Its decision will settle the question whether
any or all the naturazed citizens Of the United States owe
featy and are entitled the protection Of the government
of their choice whether they still allegiance to
that which they voluntarily repudated because it had
long ceased contribute TO their happiness If the latter
principle should be acquesced in by the of the
United States the millions of adopted citizens TO whom
the pedge of protection has been given in return for their
obligation of fealty still be considered bound by
the mpacabe tie Of perpetual allegiance to that govern
under which they happened to be born and treason
to er adopted country becomes their highest duty This
the great point involved in the impressment OF our
1t produced war; and would lead to another
fasscrted in any formal way by foreign government
This doctrine though virtually sanctioned by the know
nothings who in expeng adopted citizens from the do
mestc fold driving them seek shelter and protection
under their oppresos be recognised by
the government of the United States 1t has become
impossible in the nature Of things The United States
must will protect their citizens, Of all classes and de-
nominations 1t is solemn and imperative obligation
1t will be settled by resort to nice metaphysical dis
tinctions ingenious sophsres based the obsolete
prctensons of infatuated men, who cannot will not
that they vainy attempting to turn the world back
wards and arrest the inevitable of that destiny
which nothing than the results of great universal
canses far far beyond the control of those who while
scarcely able to govern their subjects affect to die
tate to the world.
The pledge to the American people in the inaugural
message Of President Pierce loudly and universally
welcomed by all classes and parties-that wherever
American citizen should Co. whether at home abroad
he would be covered by the egs of the American constt
tion and protected by all the power Of his native
adopted country-has not been forgotten and will surely
be fulfilled
Whether Mr. Soule represents only himself or whether
he represents his country; whether he is many
or duplicates whether he is citizen of the Uni
ted States subject of France of little consequence
bearing on this question He is identified with the honor
and dignity of the country, wherever he goes.
AS to the immediate action of the French Emperor in
refusing to allow Mr. soua pass through the French
dominons we have only add, that with present
lights the reasons that have prompted this step be
grave indeed to rescue it from the mputation of being
deliberate and intentional insult our country
MASSACHUSETTS,