The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-24
SEATTLE, TUESDAY. DEC. "a.
WAR NOT INEVITABLE.

That an exhibition OF determination to
be respected does not always entail war
has already been demonstrated in mark
ed manner By our troubles with France
in Is0o. They began soon after the inau-
guration Of Washington to his second
term. and were Instituted by Citizen
Genet. an envoy from the French repub-
lie. who arrived on a mission TO excite the
sympathy Of the United States for his
own country and involve US in q war
against Great Britain. The old Republic
an party had but recently been founded
by Thomas Jefferson. and under his lead
ership that party espoused the cause Of
France. Gratitude for services rendered
us in the Revolutionary war was given
as a reason for afrording the requested
aid. George Washington and Alexander
Hamilton strongly advocated non-lnter-
yention then. as at al times, and the adj
ministration carried its point by issuing
the famous proclamation OF neutrality.
Genet was recalled by the French gov
eminent. and a successor appointed, but
Genet continued TO live In the United
States. and to stir up strife. lie organiz-
Oh a number OF democratic societies. in
imitation OF the Jacobin clubs Of France.
but they did not live long. Indeed. the
whole history OF this country has demon
strated, as Cooper says. that secret po-
hticai societies thrive only under des-
potisms. In republics. like ours. they can
only live when the great parties are In
confusion and greatly divided"
Nevertheless, the maintenance by Eng
land of forts on Lake Erie and other I'M
friendly acts. stimulated an anti-English
feeling. which manifested itself in tokens
of sympathy with France. Washington
was deeply interested In strengthening
and consolidating the new republic, and
saw the danger OF becoming embroiIed
in foreign troubles. lie saw, too, the
menace 10 republican institutions in Sc
cret political organizations. and in his
message TO congress in 1894 he censured
all ''self-created political societies." The
trouble was at its height when. in his
farewell address. he uttered these mag
nihcentiy patriotic words:
Citizens. BY birth or choice. Of a COM
AfoA SNANAAgg AHAA A|AA&AAs Ad-s E4Snt 10
concentrate your affections. The name
American - which belongs TO you in your
national capacity. must always exalt the
just pride OF patriotism. more than appel
iations derived from local determinations.
1t was then. too. that be implored the
people TO abstain from meddling In the az
fairs OF Europe. His successor, John
Adams. had barely taken his seat when
France. angered at refusal TO take active
sides with her. began 10 cripple our trade.
Adams promptly took measures TO enforce
our neutrality. An American navy was
quickly raised. and without any declara-
ton OF war several French vessels were
seized When France realized that this
nation was IN earnest. she took a more
Pacific attitude. ovcrturos were made BY
her for a peaceah!s adjustment OF dlGn-
cultes. and the treaty OF $50 was the
result.
Those troubles wero far more serious
than those now confronting this country,
but by a Judlclous forbearance to provoke
unnecessary acr.mony after the drst dec
laratlon OF determined purpose. war was
averted. Had England been as sagaclous
"a our own government the war Of ISl2
would not have been prel.pltated.