The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-19
evening state Suarnat
THURsDAY EVENING. OOT. 10, ISL.
AMERICAS OBLIGATION TO FRANCE.

AMEhAtAS ObLiUaAtON ~ ihANNl..
MIR. Edward A. Pollard, who finds time
TO write regularly for three or four of the
leading magazines of the country, and to
dash off book or two each year, by way
of keeping his hand in, will have an article
in the forthcoming number of the Catholic
World, which will, in all probability, Gre
ate stir among both historians and critics.
There will not be much dissent from Mr..
pollard's estimate Of the assistance afforded
us by France in our Revolutionary strug-
gle. Perhaps the contest might have been
maintained until England would have re-
tired on account of the cost of holding the
conquered territory Gust as Spain may one
day get tired of suppressing insurrection in
Cuba, but certain it is that during the two
years preceding the French alliance the
cause of independence had been losing
ground. The people were disheartened,
Congress was irresolute, and there had
been no military successes to compensate
for the sacrifices that had been made.
A distinguished New England writer has
placed Franklin above all the Revolutionary
patriots, mot even excepting Washington
because it was principally through his tact
and diplomacy that France was induced to
cspouse the cause of the colonies. Theo-
dore Parker expressed the opinion that the
services of Franklin in this behalf were of
more essential value than oil the patriotism
and military skill of Washington. He
said that the battles of the Revolution
night have been fought without Washing
Ion but that French intervention could not
have he. an secured without Franklin.
We think, however, that Mr.. Pollard
g
ishness of purpose than she is entitled to-.
We doubt very mu,Hh whether she was in
huenced by any of that sentimental devo-
ton to 'Republican libei ty," which is as
signed as the handspring Of her action. In
discussing the question of MORE, Mr.. Pol
lard says:
The explanation is that the French aid was a
contribution of the people of France rather than
that of its crown. 1t sprung out of the popular
heart rather than the grace of a kind and M unLi-
cent monarch, and it has the circumstance ct O
tender and imperishabie souvenir to the Ameri-
can people, 1t was free love offering, the first
dedication of their cause in the sympathies of
the world That republican sentiment which q
few years later in France sprang into such fierce
life was already deeply harbored in the hearts of
her people
We would be glad to accord to the
French people motives so disinterested and
SO exalted, but we think that the facts
would hardly bear us out. France was inn
portuned to strike blow at her traditional
enemy, and after long elaboration, and a
careful weighing of probabilities, she deci-
ded to strike. 1t would be hard to con-
ceive of a blow more effective than that one
which should deprive her of her American
colonies. No people in Europe were SC
we'll acquainted with the geography and the
resources of North America as the French
Their bold discoveries had traverscd the
great West from the Ohio to the Mississip.
pi, and from the Lakes to the Gulf. French
statesmen dimly foresaw what a mighty
empire it would become, and it is there
fore not surprising that they should desire te
see England deprived of that which would il
fifty years have made her master O
She whole globe. There were abundant
hard, selfish, diplomatic reasons why
France should aid the colonies, and W.
therefore do not feel bound to accept Mr.
Pollard's statement of possible sentimeD
tai motive as the real one. 1t requires
very courageous Virgnian TO publish som,
facts which Mr.. Pollard has put into thi,
article.
He tells us that virginia had grown re
Euctant in the war, and disposed to hav,
HSCOtioC W univ piIiiJ cApCUiclltS. dt
rick Henry had resigned Ills seat in Con
gress, and Thomas Jefferson was threaten
ing to vacate the Governors chair, ant
Richard Henry Lee "was willing to surren
dor the liberties of Virginia to dictator a
the only resource of safety" When tn,
British army advanced up the Peninsula
the Revolutionary sires of Richmont
showed not such sturdy courage as dir
their descendants three generations later
when the city was menaced by an army TO
which the combined armies of Cornwalli
and Lafayette would not have formed
baggage guard.
The admirers of Patrick Henry win
have read his biography written by Mr.
Writ will not be pleased with this extrac
from Mr.. Pollard's article.
On the side of the rebel colonists themselve
there was suspicion of France-at least no dis
position to expect any generosity from her in tin
struggle that was to ensue. So little tina
part expected which she did eventually take i,
the American Revolution that Patrick 1Ienr.
incredible as the fact may appear to those VIII
have read only eulogiums on this person. actual,
retreated at the last from the Declaration of In
dependence, from fear of France and her cooperi
Lion to subdue the colonies. In letter to JOIN
Adams, written five days after the Virginia Con
yention had adopted the famous resolution OF tn
u5th Alay, l776, for Independence, he dwell
selucsd to take sides against the colonies by al
offer from Ecgland TO divide the territories @
America Isetween them. 1t was unworth
suspicion; but hsr. Henry, who had but littl
originality, and was n characteristic retailer G
popular impressions, Mas probably in this impu
taton upon France lie echo of 2 thought com
mon at the time.
Mr.. Pollard also brings to light resolu
lion passed by Congress after the victory a
Yorktown, which seems TO have escape
the notice of most of our historians, as
certainly hes the notice of the teeming nail
lions who rejoice in the liberties purchase
in the struggle of which this was the crown
ing triumph. AT the height of its emotion
of joy and gratitude, Congress resolved tina
it would "cause to be erected at York, i
Virginia, a marble column, adorned wit
semblems of the alliance between the Unite
States and his Most Christian Majesty, an
inscribed with succinct narrative"
fWi1l our friends at York keep shar
look out, and tell us of the present conditio
of this column n