Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-18
ana ii his msssaso Of ,hat date, Mr.. Jer-


ferson said.
Congress witnessed at their late SEES
sion the extraordinary agitation pro-
duced In the public mind by the suspen-
sion OF our right OF deposit at the port
OF New Orleans, no assignment OF an
other place having been made according
10 treaty. They were sensible that the
continuance OF that privation would De
more Injurious TO our nation than any
consequences which could flow from any
mode OF redress, but reposing just con-
fidence in the good faith OF the govern
ment whose officer had committed the
wrong, friendly and reasonable represen-
tations were resorted TO, ana the right
OF deposit was restored.
Previous. however, TO this period we
had not been unaware of the danger TO
which our peace would be perpetuaily ex-
posed whilst so important key TO the
commerce OF the western country re-
malned under foreign power. Difficult
tics. too. were presenting themselves as
TO the navigation of other streams, which,
arising within our Territories. pass
through those adjacent. Propositions
had therefore, been authorized for OBJ
tanning on fair conditions the sovereignty
OF New orleans and OF other pos
sessions in that quarter interesting
to our quiet TO such extent as was DEEM
ed practicable, and the provisional APP
preparation of $2,OO0,00O to be applied and
accounted for by the President OF the
United States, intended as part of the
price was considered as conveying the
sanction OF Congress to the acquisition
proposed. The enlightened Government
OF France saw with just discernment the
importance to both nations of such libe-
raj arrangements as might best and per-
manently promote tho peace. friendship,
and interests of both, and the property
and sovereignty of all Louisiana which
had been restored TO them have on GER
tain conditions been transferred to the
United States by instruments bearing date
the 30th of April last. When these
shall have received the constitutional
sanction of the Senate. they will, without
delay, be communicated to the rep
resentatives also for the exercise of their
functions as 10 those conditions which
are within the powers vested by the Con-
stitution in Congress.
whilst the property and sovereignty
Of the Mississippi and its waters secure
an independent outlet for the produce
Of the Western States and an uncon-
trolled navigation through their whole
course, free from collision with other
Powers and the dangers to our peace
from that source, the fertility Of the
y
in due season important aids to our Urea
sury. an ample provision for our pos
terity, and wide spread for the bless
ings of freedom and equal laws"
II will be seen from the above that Mr..
Jefferson's course in this matter was en-
tirely in harmony with his policy of
peaceful development, and that his sa-
gacity in Selling the opportune moment
for pressing negotiations probably saved
the country millions of dollars, If it did
not prevent a resort TO arms to accom-
plish what was absolutely necessary for
our interests. 1t will also be seen that
he regarded the purchase as perhaps ex-
ira constitutional, but that he had no in
tention of usurpng authority he makes
plain. At any rate, he was fully sustain
ed by Congress. Two days after his mes
sage was sent in the Senate ratified the
agreement, and on October the 18th the
House passed. by a vote of 80 to %
resolution to give 1t effect. Moreover
the purchase was accepted without con-
stitutional amendment. which Mr.. JEFF
ferson suggested might be necessary,
was endorsed by popular sentiment, and
vastly increased the strength OF the al
ministration Such is briefly the history
of the Louisiana acquisition" and an
effort to find in it an argument or pre-
cedent to sustain annexation Of Hawaii
and the permanent retention OF the
Philippines amounts almost to the ludi-
crous. The two cases do not parallel
each other at any point. Mr.. Jehersons
policv and the latter-day annexation
policy have no more in common IMAM
have the Monroe doctrine and European
diDlomacV