The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-05-16


OF THE MILITARY CoMMIssIoN.-It ia under.
stood that the three officers who were sent
on scientific military tour to Europe have
reported that they were rudely refused per-
mission to visit the works of fertilization in
France, and that the language Of the Mi
mister of War was such as to constitute an
insult 1t is suggested that the matter ought
to form the subject of diplomatic correspon-
dence. We do not think SO. The French are
the masters Of their military works, and may
refuse to allow them to be inspected if they
choose. They are entitled, moreover, to adopt
what tone they please in conversing with 70.
reign visiters, and may exhibit grossness and
illbreeding if that is their bent Foreigners
can only note such unpleasant occurrences;
they cannot refine them into public or national
affronts. Before going further with this bust.
ness, moreover, it will be we'll to make sure OF
the facts. When the commission first arrived
in Europe, it was said that the commissioners
had been we'll treated by the French and Rus
slams, but scurvily by the English. It is nov
confessed that nothing could have been more
gratifying than their reception both in the
British camp and at the Horse Guards. 1t
has also been stated, and again denied, that
the commissioners were badly used in Russia
that permission was refused them to inspect
works, &c. This French story may possibly be
of piece with these. It is not certain that
the commission has yet reported: strong OPT
Mons had best be withheld till they do.
at the same time, it ought not to be con-
cealed that of late the tone and attitude Of
the French towards the United States have
been far from worthy Of the ancient alliance
between the two countries A systematic
abuse Of everything American is a chroni;
feature in the leading Paris papers. Book
after book on America appears in Paris, each
more scandalously false, more insulting, more
meanly unjust than the last: the mantle OF De
Tocqueville and Chevalier has fallen upon the
All the old ISLANDERS which used to be current
in England, but which experience and common
sense long since kicked into the gutter and
the columns Of the Morning Post, have been
revived, rehashed, recoined in France. Most
respectable organs Of French opinion have
described the Americans as race relapsing
into barbarian, and equally divided between
pirates and slave traders.
Now, SO far as this goes, it is harmless
enough. No one has any objection to it here.
But if it is the sentiment of the French peo-
pie, if Paris really feels towards the United
States as these newspaper writer's and book
makers appear to do, it is quite necessary that
we should be aware of the fact. 1t will not
do for Americans to labor under false i'm
preston in SO important matter.
In this country there is but one feeling to-
ward the French-a feeling of friendship, ad-
miration and respect. That feeling is 50 strong
that it aeeded all the energy Of General Jack
son to bring the indemnity question to head.
1t prevents, at this very moment, the adoption
of coercive or retaliatory measures to compel
the French to admit our ships to their ports
on the same terms as we admit theirs to ours
So powerful is the national liking for France
and the French. If in return for this the
French entertain feelings Of dislike and con-
tempt for us, We want merely to know it.