Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-21
Observation-Disclosures 81, 1879
JErFERsoN ANn lrKINLEY.

The New YORK Ilincs app'"i9 ~ 'Ni'N'
sons record for vindication of Mr.. Nc
J<inley in determining the policy OF the
country without any expression OF opin-
ion ~ the people and while they are
kent as much I'm the dark about the facts
ms possible" The Times then goes on to
say that there are INSTANCES In when
jefferson pursued q weil-deined object
AS TO which he did not consult the peo-
pie: that "the Louisiana purchase IS
case I'm point; that Jefferson not only
completed the purchase without giving
the people any chance to form or express
an opinion regarding it, but without con-
sulting Congress-" and that ''in order 10
bring pressure 10 bear on Napoleon, our
Minister at Paris was Informed that the
United states were prepared to make an
offensive and defensive alliance with
Great Britain. though at that time no
thing could have been more opposed to
the sentiment Of the people"
Now. the fact is that the purchase of
Louisiana was the result Of a popular
movement in one section of the country
at least. and Congress was in sense
prepared for it, The people of our then
western possessions. Kentucky especially.
, had. through withdrawal of the right OF
deposit ct New Orleans. been practically
denied access to the ocean, and were in
famed and disconnected. and clamored
FOR some government action. The situa-
ton was brought to the attention of Con-
gress by Mr. jefferson, and that body
appropriated 100000 for the purchase Of
New Orleans. In the mean time, how
ever. France and England became in
VOWED i'm hostiities again, and Mr. JEFF
ferson. scizing the favorable opportunity
presented by that condition. made the
Louisiana purchase. The act wa ratified
~ Congress by an overwhelming MAORI
~, and by the people in their reelection
of Mr.. Jefferson TO the presidency.
AS to the statement that popular send-
ment was opposed TO an alliance, often
sive and defensive, we are not certain
that history bears out our contemporary.
1T would seem that the people were about
ripe Tor any alliance that would insure
a correction of the grievance. Mr.. JEFF
forson himself, in nominating Robert II.
Livingston and James Monroe TO De Min
lister Plcnipotontiary and Minister Extra
ordinary. and Plenpotentiary. respective
~, 10 treat with the First Consul Of
France touching our interests in The
river Mississippi and in the territory
eastward thereof" intimates that popu-
lar temper had risen to the danger point,
una that 1t was our duty to ourselves,
and TO France, to let the latter know It..
lie says:
while my confidence in our Minister
plcnipotentiary at Paris is entire and UNI
diminished, ] stil think that those objects
might be promoted by Joining with him a
person (AIr. Monroe) sent from hence
directly, carrying with him the feelings
and sentiments of the nation excited on
the late occurrence. impressed by full
communications of all the Views we en-
scrtain on this interesting subject and
thus prepare 10 meet and to improve 10
useful result the counter propositions
pf the other contracting party whaiso-
ever form their interests may give TO
them, and To secure TO rs the ultimate
accomplishment of our object"
Again. Mr.. Jefferson in his message 10
Congress conveying information of the
louisiana purchase. has this to say:
Congress witnessed at their last ses-
sions 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 another
place having been made according TO
treaty"
But for all this evidence that the peo-
pie or their wishes had been really con-
suited. there is no ground for the virtual
charge OF the Times that Mr. jefferson
bOllied Napoleon with a threat OF war.
There is no justification for the assertion
OF our contemporary that here was a
case where the acquisition OF foreign ter
riory was sought at the risk OF foreign
"war." Mr. Jefferson dissipa,es these
Misrepresentation when. In letter TO
General Gates. regarding the Louisiana
purchase. he says:
IL find our opposition is very willing 10
pluck feathers from Monroe although
not fond OF sticking them into Living
uton's coat. The truth IL, both have a
Just portion OF merit. and were IL neccs-
safy or proper IL would be shown that
each has rendered peculiar services and
Of important value. These grumb,srs.
too. are very uneasy lest the administra-
ton should share some little credit for
the acquisition. the whole OF which they
ascrlpe TO the accident OF war. They
would b. cruelty mortified could they sec
our mes from May. 1891. the lrst organ
cation OF the administration, but more
especially from April 1892 They would
ssr mat though we could not say when