Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-02-06
AMERICA AND FRANCE.

Since the termination of the old war OF
independence, the people of the United
States have manifested ON every suitable
occasion a gratitude to France for the
assistance she rendered them They can
never forget the services of Lafayette,
who. through years of sorrow, battle, prl-
walton and anguish, stood by Washington
and struggled for the independence OF
America They can never forget the
assistance rendered by the French feet
when the crisis of the fate of the colonies
was upon them. On account OF this
timely aid, bringing as it did victory and
independence, the people, from that day
to this, have in every possible form rem
dered back to France, if not services
commensurate with those received from
her, certainly that which may pass
for an equivalent-the gratitude Of
their hearts. There never was any
formal alliance between the two
countries, nor any political bond to
unite them, but there was something OF
greater force-an affection that ran
through generations, and refined and in
tensifed as it ran. Every administra-
ton of this Government up to 1860
stood ready to perform for our old friend
a service whenever it should be needed.
But ten years have worked revolution,
not in the sympathies of the people. but
in the conduct Of administration. France
is PROSTATE, and is represented to be IN
a starving condition. No man, who is
acquainted with the party that rules this
country at this time, is surprised that
during the Franco-Prussian struggle
the Administration has expressed no
sympathy for an old friend, nor when
the people of France announced a Re
public, was there aught beyond frigid
attempt at congratulation-emotion OF
approval. Stolid, silent, Indifferent, the
Government looked on and saw army
after army cut TO pieces, captured, de-
stroyed, and France oEerrun, trampled |
and ruined. Noone expected this country
to take up arms to defend her. Nobody |
expected US to go to war with Prussia to
deliver her, whatever the form of the
government or her past services to us
NAV have been; but the people did have
a right to expect that when she erected
a republic. and was struggling to main
tain it, the republic OF America would
sympathize with it, and send some word
of announcement. They were disap-
pointed. Republican principles in this
country are not popular now with the
party that styles itself Republican; and /
not breath of cheer to France from
this country will go upon the page of
history that shall record the events aud
results of the struggle. Let it be for
given or forgotten, lift must, thGt America
had no sympathy for the political nor
physical struggle of France. Let
that much be conceded. Does it fellow
that it is to be forgiven; that when her
people are starving for bread, we offer
them no bread? The people Of Paris
are in the most deplorable condition.
They are hungry and appeal with their
famished eyes to America for relief, but
appeal in vain. Our Government once
sent out ship loads Of provisions to the
starving people of Ireland. 1t was
noble act, and drew from the Irish heart
an outburst of gratitude. The same
would come from France, but no ship
goes out with suceor The Government
at Washington cares nothing for the
sufferings of humanity. So long as it
can roll in plenty, it cares not whom
famine pinches or starvation destroys.
1t is utterly soulless There is not a
generous emotion in its whole body. 1t
is icy, malignant, abandoned The
French cannot do otherwise than despise
it. The heroic Prussians can have no
other feeling than that Of contempt
for.it