Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-10-12
FRANCE AND THE UNITED
STATES.
Interesting Reminiscences-Franeo-
American ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
aud Ghe War CLOUD - Lastlng
Friendship of The Two Nations
Baltimore Sun.


The near annrosch of the Yorktown Cen
tennial celebration, and the arrival OF our
French visitors and guests on that interest
ing occasion. have had their natural eHect
in stimulating historical studies ana re-
searches into all matters connected with the
French alliance and Corvallis surrender.
Already the tri color of France is TO be seen
floating from our fag-ststfs, SIDE oY sac
with the starry flag of the Union, Ia Crate
ful recoOnttion of the service rendered by
the gallant ROchambeau and de Grasse ah1
the brave Frepchman under their command
| At the siepe of Yorktown, and In eompl-
| ment TO their representatives and oesceho-
| ants who have come over to join In the pres
| ent commemoration of the triumph OF the
| allied arms OF the colonies and OF france on
| American soil one hundred years ago.
Itis a curious historical fact, suggested
by the very changes which so shortly after
| our revolution took place In the govern
ment of France, that this hundredth ami
versarv of Yorktown finds the two great
nations of France and the Uuited States
| the sister republics OF the old world ana the
neW-in closer relations OF amity, anu united
by a stronger similarity OF Institutions, ana
| conseouentlv stronger bond OF sympathy,
than existed at the close Of the last century,
while the generation to which Rochamoeau
| and De Grasse belonged were still upon the
stage. The alliance between the lnIant
colonies and His Most Christian Majesty,
Louis XVI, was followed within less than a
quarter OF century by an open rupture De
tween the United 81 stes OF America and the
French republic under the Dlrectory' as
long as Louis XVI lived the friendly rela-
tions which grew out of the timely and
valuable interposition of France in behalf
of the colonies in the darkest hour OF their
struggle for independence continued with
out break. After the overthrow Oh the
monarchy and the execution OF Louis an
enlargement arose. After the recognition
OF American Independence bY Great Britain
the relations Of commerce and OF friendly
intercourse with the mother country, which
had been rudely interrupted by the war,
were naturally resumed and extended.
When France In turn became involved In
hostihties with England, French emissaries
sought in vain to involve this country, then
slowly recovering from its own prolonged
struggle for independence and from the
financial embarrassments and prostration
which followed the war and continued
through the period of the confederation. The
reluctance Of the Government and people
| OF the United States to plunge again into
war with England excited feeling of re-
sentiment, as well as disappointment, In the
| minds of the French Republicans. Citizen
Genet, who was the first envov from the
| Revolutionary Government OF France, was
I so aggressive anu IuTDuiGub budb " &c
| sent out of the country by President Wash
| ington on account of his proceedings. His
successors, Adet and Fouchet, made them
solves hardly less Objectionable. Dur
| ing the administration Of President
John Adams the American Commission
ers to France, Messrs. Pinkney, Marshall
| and Gerry, were treated with gross indig-
nifty, were not received by the Directory,
aud were finally, with the exception OF Mr.
| ~ -. ILL 70 ais In,
expelled from France. The disclosure,
| through the publication Of the famous X
Y. z. correspondence, of the fact that q
| large sum of money was demanded by TIE
d rectory from this country as the condition
OF s cessation of the restrictions and depre-
dations upon American commerce, which
then formed the principal subject OF COM
plant on the part of this government,
| created feeling of patriotic excitement
throughout the country, Then 1t was that
the copper cent or token was struck at the
mint, with the legend, millions for defense !;
not one cent for tribute" Congress author
| ized large additions to the army and navy,
| aud General Washington, then in retirement
at Mount Vernon, was invited to assume the
command of the army, which be accepted.
Upon the ocean hOstilities went so far
that the American frigate Constellation,
after sharp action, captured the French
frigate L'Insurgente, and another American
ship, the Delaware, captured a heavily
armed French privateer. The two countries
whose sons had so lately fought together as
brothers at Yorktown were In danger of
being embroled as enemies In the lifetime
Of the survivors OF the trials and battles OF
the revolution. General Washington died
before the cloud Of war had blown away.
The downfall of the Directory aud the &C
eession to power of the young First Consul
Bonaparte happily averted the calamity OF
further hostilities. Friendly relations were
restored. The purchase of Louisiana fol-
lowed, and from that day to this the friend
ship cemented by the blood of both peoples
Mingled in a common cause upon the soil
of their country, and, by the memory OF in
valuable aid extended at the most critical
moment OF the revolution, has existed with
out interruption. OF that friendship every
American will say to-day, IN the words Of
Father Paul's wish for his country, "ESto
perpetual l''-May It last forever