Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-05-06

ant has positive right to plead what
ever he may think proper. Whether
the truth of libel may be justified OF
not. is q perfectly unsettled question.
If in that respect if the law here varies
| from the law of England: it must be
and because such is the will of theiI
Honors. for know of ne legislative act
to vary it. It will, however, be right to
appeal was it only to secure comprO-
mise.
We have some letters from Philadel-
phia which wear q very ugly aspect. 1t
is said that Simcoe, the Governor of Up
per Canada, has entered the territory OF
the United States at the head of about
500 men, and has possessed himself OF
Presque isle. AS this is in Pennsylva-
mia, hope the democratic society OF
Philadelphia will st once demolish him ;
and if they should fail. still trust that
some of our upper brethren will at one
stride place themselves by him and
PROSTATE his post.
But seriously, if this be true, we must
bid adieu to all hope of peace and pre-
pare for serious war. My only hope is.
that it is mere speculating STORY
Farewell. am affectionately,
Yours, J. MARSHALL.
The apprehensions of many of our
early statesmen, of danger to the Gov
ernment of the United States from the
hostility of the monarchies of Europe.
seems strange to us at the present day.
This apprehension is betrayed by Mr..
Madison in the following letter, written
while the French people were trying
the experiment of Republican govern
ment, and it was thought.very impor-
tant that our Government should main
tain close alliance with them -
Sept. 1, 1898.
Dear SIR Being well persuaae ed of
your attachment to the public good, I
make no apology for mentioning to you
q few circumstances which [ conceive
to be deeply connected with it. 1t ap-
pears by accounts received by Col. Mon
roe and myself from Mr.. Jefferson, as
well as by the face of the late newspa-
pers, that a variance of very serious
nature has taken place between the
Federal Executive and Mr.. Genet, the
French Minister. From whatever
causes it may have particularly resulted,
and whatever blame may belong to the
latter, the event will give great pain to
all the enlightened friends Of those prin-
ciples of liberty on which the American
and French Revolutions are founded,
and of that sound policy which ought to
maintain the connection between the
two countries. Unfortunately this char
acter is not due to every description of
persons among us. There are some who
dislike Republican Government. There
OF nthorS xvhn dic1ityo the
with France. And there are others
misled by the influence of both. From
these quarters attempts are already issu
ing to make the worst instead of the best
of the event, to turn the public sensation
with respect to Genet against the French
nation, to give the same turn to the pub
lie veneration for the President, to pro
duce by there means an animOsity be.
tween America and France, as the hope
full source of a dissolution of their pOlit-
ical and commercial union, of conse-
quent connection with G.. B., and under
her auspices, of gradual approxima-
tion towards her form of Government.
In this state of things is il not the duty
of all good citizens to deliberate on the
best steps that can be taken for defeat
ing the mischief? and can there be any
doubt that true and authentic express
sion of the sense of the people will be
the most effectual as well as the most
proper antidots that can be applied ? 1t
is as little doubtful in my opinion what
the sense of the people is. They are at
tached to the Constitution. They are
attached to the President. They are at
tached to the French nation and Revo-
luton. They are attached to peace as
long as it can be honorably preserved
Thnu RI md 70 n
political connection with that of Great
Britain, and will readily protest against
any known or supposed designs that
may have this change in their situation
for their object. Why, then, cannot the
sense of the people be collected on these
points, by the agency of temperate and
respectable men who have the opportu-
nifty of meeting them. This is the more
requisite in the country at large, at pres
ent, as the voice of particular places dis
tinguished by particular interests and
opinions may otherwise be mistaken for
that of the nation, and every hope be
thence cut off, of preserving the esteem
and affection as yet existing between
the French and the American people
A great deal might be said ON this SUBJ
ject. To you very little will suffice
and the less as you will learn from Col.
Monroe all the particulars which may
explain the ground of what have taken
the liberty of suggesting. shall only,
therefore, add my request that you will
consider this letter as entirely confden-
tial, and as proof of the esteem and re-
regard with which am, dear sir,
Your sincere friend and h bile serv't,
is. MADISON, JR.
To be continued.
J. A. W.