The New York herald., 1870-09-17
SUCCOR FOR FRANCE.
80 s-r- -, 80, ~ ..r..s
Men, Arms and Munitions Of War for Cur
Ancient Ally.
The Steamer Lafayette Detained Till Tuesday by
Order Of the French Secretary OF War-Pas-
sengsra Have Right to Visit Paris-The
Laws Do Not Prohibit the Shipment
OF Arms-A Hint to Soldiers
Out Of Empl loyment

De Tocquevle, In his admirable analysis Of the
laws, habits and character Of our people, failed to
give adequate explanation of one OF our most
marked characteristics. Exposing with unninching
courage the faults OF the system OF government In
part, which, as whole, excited his admiration and
praising with q wealth OF eoquence the thousand
and one points OF excellence in the American gov.
ernmental machine, he overlooked the fact that the
nobest trait In the character OF this republican
community Of States and peoples was then, 1t Is
now, impartial justice. republic OF free States,
educated and enlightened, never errs in matters
where the principle Of justice Is involved. Their
government may malt and falter and be distracted
In council on great public emergencies, but the
nation Is ever right.
The traditional friendship OF the United States for
France her earliest and best friend against Eng.
lish lust Of power, damped the ardOr Of our
people the breaking out of the terrible war which
now attracts the attention OF the world In favor OF
Prussia, which appeared TO pc in the right in the
quarrel; but the cumulative evidence OF the pur.
pose OF him whom Louis Blanc dubbed Napoleon
lie Petit" carry fire and sword into the heart OF
peaceful Germany merely that France should bear
the burden of his unequalled despotsm for another
decade made the Of Prussia Just IN our eyes.
When, however, the fortune of war and the COL
| lapse Of the rotten military system OF the imperial
adventurer IN series Of engagements opened the
way to Paris for the implacabe Prussians and the
boom OF hostile cannon on French soil reused repub-
lican France INTO life and revenge, there an In
| slant change. The war OF Prussia against France
was no longer war Of kings, but deadly conflict
between monarchy and repubicanism Our supine
government slow as 1t Is in the assertion of Amerl-
can and republican Ideas, compelled to declare
the sentiments Of America by recognizing
the French republic as sister State. From
Maine TO California, to. use familiar phrase
the people OF the United States unanimous or
| our ancient ally. Even the Germans who were so
enthusiastic for "kOnig William" While that Old
gentleman represented the idea OF German Resistance
to Frencn imperial aggression, grew cool n not abso-
| lutey indifferent. The man who slaughtered the
Dertyoying people in the streets OF Berlin In 1s4s
could not now retain the confidence OF our German
republicans and democrats While his declared pur.
pose the crushing out Of an enfranchised people
who, while declaring for liberty, equality and rater-
| nifty, ardently desire peace commerce and industry.
It Is owing tO this feeling OF our citizens for the
French people, struggling Tor their newly acquired
rights as republicans that there Is manifested To-
day decided disposition to Intervene In Lbe present
| war in favor Of beeagured France, and that this
| feeling has lately found expression In acts which,
while entirely within the laws OF the United States,
| are still encouraging to the beseiged Parsians.
| There abundant facts to justify the statement
| that an active movement Is on foot In this and
neghborng cities to send from this port to France
Immediately and IN quantities the best breech load
ing arms the country can produce, and that prepa-
ratlOns also being made to forward large de-
tachments OF fighting men to take care OF those
arms
This announcement however, though 1t may cause
some uneasiness TO the representatives Of Prussia in
this country, Will not disturb the repose OF the fede-
raj marshal, need 1t alarm the friends Of France
| who are working with commendabe but most un-
| necessary caution. Passengers 20 TO Havre
from tnls port In any numbers legally, and arms can
| be shipped either by sailing vessels or steamers In
any quantities under the laws OF the United States
the open DAY. The arms can be forwarded for
| the belligerent republicans without fear or
but 0da ws rst mind 4ss 'n s
| and in France. The United States government
Will not institute an nquisition INTO the motives,
aims or intentions OF American citizens who may de-
sire to witness the siege OF Paris and take passage
on French steamer for that purpose. even II few
! thousand boxes OF Yankee ChaSSepOtS were stored
| In tho hold Of the vessel.
the act passed in April, 1917, known as the Neu-
traty law, offers obstacle the assistance OF the
! The celebrated O'Connell once said that he could
drive coach ana four through every English act OF
Parliament But II would be Just easy to steam
| transport full Of men and munitions Off war
through our Neutrality law. Under this law the loi.
lowing acts forbidden to be done under severe
penalties within the territory the Jurisdiction of
| the United States:-
fra,;Accepting and exercising commission to
either OF the said begerents by land by against
other belhgerent
the said pegerenis soldier, marine or seaman
on board Of any vessel Of war letter OF marque prvaee
himself in the service OF either Of the said beerens
war, letter ,s,.i 81 msrane au,,o or prvateer. n.s
jurisdiction OF the United States with enlisted as
1
the United States with intent TO be entered into
| aforesaid.
Retaining another person to go beyond limits of
the United with intent be enlisted
Seue,M Retaining another beyond limits
the United States
aforesaid (Bu the said Is not to construed to ex
tend citizen subject of either begereni who beng
any vessel war, which the time of its arrival
within the United States htted and equipped saon
vessel OF enlist enter himself hire
other subject citizen " the same bcigerent who IL
transeny within the United States enlist him
self to such beigceD board such war
II the nted States shall then be at with such
| gerent.)
Egth-Fit,ing out arming, attempting to Ut out
and arm procuring to be hcd armed, or Know
ingy being the furnishing arlng
any with intent ship or ypsse
shall be employed In the Of either the said be
| gerents.
M,u-lssung delivering commission within the terri
tory jurisdiction OF the United ship or
vessel to the intent that she be employed
creased augmened Knowingly being concerned in in
creasng augmentng the force any ship war cruiser
other armed vessel which the arrival within
the United states ofwar armed vessel
In the service OF either Of the said
u the subjects or citizens OF either, by adding
OF guns OF such VESSEL by changing those
Tor guns OF larger cabre BY the addition
equipment solely applicable to war.
hepeM- beginning or setting foot providing or
be carried from the territory OF the United
states against the territory domiDons OF either OF the said
| beligerents
| But while these clauses seem formidable II should
be understood that by the proclamation Ol tne Pfesl-
| dent OF the United States, issued on the I'D or