The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-06-19
Nom khc Nnshinaton Sentinel.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS

deal Uf harm in many ways.
They go abroad to give false seeming
OF public opinion. In many, we might
say i'll most cases, thcir remarks are predi-
Gated either upon partial or erroneous state
meuts, perhaps on both. Our relations are
discussed as lightly and inconsidcratcly as
the question uf sweeping the streets or
building II wharf. Prejudice and ignor-
ance stand confessed in every line. The
discussions are often entered into to COM
pass some object ut home, when the mat
ter is uuscrupulously treated, and facts and
truths are mado to shape themselves with ~
single reference to homo dcnland-to aid
or to forward a man or measure.
Great interests OF the country are ban
died about from column to column with
l.vity or wiekedncss absolutely shocking.
Our foreign relations are drawn into tho
vortex os party strife, and SO far as these
papers are concerned it matters not that
great National interests may be jcopardcd
peace itself endangered, to carry some petty
schome; or, on the other hand, when it
suits their purpose, to overlook aud palliate
outrages on our rights and honor.
Every administration purposes in our
foreign relations to defend faithfully our
rights and interests, and to act justly to-
wards all. We should bc slow to con-
denim their foreign policy, and should judge
only upon accurate Information. That be-
ing had, the discussions should be honest;
the true convictions of our mind given, and
the reasons why VIC approve or why we
condemn.
There is n constant running fire kept up
from the first hint Of any matter through
out all lis stages, and with the least modi-
cum of authentic Information.
There is habit entirely too prevalent
and in very bad taste. 1t is the mode of
treatment Of foreign Diplomats. The re-
spcct which is paid to ours abroad is not
shown to foreign Diplomats here. They
are spoken of lightly, censured and de-
n"unccd on surmises, until at length for
cign minister is compelled to decline giving
his testimony i'll case Of homicide, be-
cause, no matter how he may testify, hc is
sure OF ob!o1ny from some quarter.
Being the representative of Govern
ment, they are entitled to immuni;ies AMI
respect as such, and they should be free
from the prying and intrusion, and offensive
remarks with which too many Of our papers
abound.
In the case Of Mr.. Champion, even, WHO
has incurred the diSplcasurc, we think The
just dislIeasurc Of our Government bv his
conduct in the recruiting service, and his
misapprehensons, it not misrepresentation
i'll regard to the Central American qucs-
tion.
1t would quite suffice to expose his COM
pcity in the one and his errors in the
other, and still keep within the bounds of
Il rigid d"cornm. The mode in Which this
gentleman is treated by some papers does
not i'll amy way help our cause. We con-
cur i'll the course pursued by the Admins
trat!on, which comes to its decision and his
dismissal without the violation of any cour-
lesv.
France au'l the United States, with but
momr;itary exceptions, have ever been
fr!,.n.l'y-thcrc arc no heart-burnings hc-
tween them. The people of each nation
arc well disposed towards those of the
other, alr! disposition exists. we believe,
anon. the misses Of both nations TO cult
vate coruiaity.
They lave ruler Of their own choice,
and whatever we may think of the present
form of the Government of France, it GER
tainly has, if not the warm approval, at
least the ready and cheerful concurrence Of
the nation. We might as well find fault
with the Emperor Of Russia or any otker
monarch rs with Louis Napoleon, and vet
1t has been tavorite and standing topic
with many papers to exercise their ingenu-
ity i'll abuse and misrepresentation of this
potcnta.c
We, i'll common with al our people,
would prefer to see France Il prosp, rous
Republic, but that is the particular bust
ness of the French people, and ii they pre-
fer the present form Of government, as
certainly they do, it is our duty as hiends
to allow them to enjoy it in their own way,
and not to vitupcratc their chief, manu-
fact"ring for that purpose the most hidcous
calumnics.
We po not purpose to enter into an
elaborate defence, which he does not require
at our hands, for, indeed, we disapprove
OF some Of his proceedings, but we do
mean to say, that the hunting up in all the
kennels Of New York and elsewhere, the
improbable stories and patent caumnies in
hls private life, seeking to rem Ter him
odious, is alike to be condemned for its
pitiful meanness, AS must tho effect, if it
have any in France, be to create i'll feel
ing.
We do not hesitate to say that the peo-
pie OF the United States, as IL whole, desire
to cultivate the most amicable relations
with the French people under whatever
form OF government that people may ut
any time choose for themselves.
We are drusque and sometimes rude in
our tone to foreigners, and yet we have
been worsted in almost every negotiation
we have made. We have always had
some just cause of complaint, which, in no
instance has been fully satisfied as it ought.
From the peace of the revolution to the
present time, we have always had on hand
some grave offence by England against our
honor, our rights, or our interests, and the
amende in no one of them ever complete,
while England has yet the first complaint
to make against this Government.
If the discussions Of our foreign relations
We're dipnified nntriotic and unou authentic