Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-19
From the Paris Constitutional.
France and the Unitsd states.

There is no nation which seems better cal
culated than the United States for living in
good intelligence with France. The friendly
feeling, so natural between the two countries,
showed itself from the very commencement of
the American Union 1t was then command
ed by interests, as it is now commanded by in
terests and traditions for the direction which
the old French monarchy had given was fol-
lowed by succeeding governments, and if there
was any name that could revive these reminis-
cences in America, it is assuredly that of the
Sovereign who now governs France. The first
empire practiced towards the United States,
with the amplitude Of ideas which was peculiar
to it, policy which has been always consider
ed at this side Of the Atlantic as one of the es-
sental points of our system Of alliance. The
principle of appealing to the nation, and of
universal voting, which the new dynasty has
taken for its starting point, could only have for
consequence to draw closer together the two
countries, in spite of the difference of form
which exists between the two Governments. If
the interests at present at stake in the world
be examined closely, everything concurs to
demonstrate how much that good understand
ing was indicated in advance. The principles
which the government of the Emperor defends
are such as speak to the mind of free nation
and greatly excite its sympathy. 1t is for the
political independence OF governments, it is for
liberty of conscience, that France has taken
mp arms; and whilst she is defending on
land ideas so much in harmony with those
which constitute the basis Of American civil
lization, she has taken care that the prin-
ciples of maritime liberty, so dear TO the great
transatlantic nation, should be, from the very
outset of hostilities, shielded from the vicissi-
tudes to which neutrals were accustomed for
century. These considerations, Of the very
highest political and moral order, Joined to the
powerful material interests which unite the two
countries, between which such important and
extensive commercial transactions are daily go
ing on, should, we repeat ii, establish between
them sincere reciprocity Of good relations.
And, in consequence, it is with regret min
gled with surprise that we have seen a series of
facts and incidents taking place which would
seem to present another character. With the
exception Of Russia, the government Of the
emperor keeps mp the best relations with all
the governments Of the Old and New World.
However, in foreign court, q difference takes
place between diplomatic agent and q repre-.
sentative of France; and that agent, not con-
tent with having originated thas-diference, al
together Of personal nature, seems TO do all
he can by his demeanor and his language TO
transform it into a political conflict. Who is
that agent2 An American Minister. In the
New World, the privileges ofour consular flag,
although founded on recent treaty, are disre.
garded. Which is the country where our in.
ternational right has been thus infringed? A
State Of the American Union. Our navy is
everywhere respected. There is, however, a
roadsted in which handfal Of anarchical re-
fugecs have seized on the occasion Of the pres
ence of our sailors to organize with impunitya
demagogical masquerade; and that roadsted is
that OF an American town. Facts of this ma
ture, If multiplied, would accord but little with
the traditions Of friendship and the community
OF principles and interests which exists be.
tween the two nations, and which seem to force
themselves as duty on the two governments.
But It is evidently impossible to see IN these Incl
dents anything else than the work Of some
mischiefmakers, whose acts are in discord
with the inventions Of the American cabinet
and nation. Whilst deploring them, we feel
full confidence that they VIII remain in the
state Of purely individual acts, and we know in
advance that Che Union, always animated to-
wards France with a sympathy which is recp-
rocsb and which will soon be of a century's
duration on both sides, declines the response
bility Of incidents with which il has remained
altogether unsonnsetsd.