The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-03-30
TALLEYRAND's LETTER.
What a Great French Statesman Had 10
Say a Century Ago.

Say a Century Ago.
| Edward IT. IIamiltln's Interview with Bryan II
the Tuesday Examiner on our Relations u
| the Philippines.
Talleyrand, the French statesman
wrote letter on November %, 1882
| protesting against the independence o
the American colonists and making al
argument in favor OF French sovereignty
over them, which letter is so nearly
identical with the arguments used by
imperialists today that it could be uset
as an imperialistic speech by merely
changing the names of the persons re-
ferred to-"
"What do you think of the surrender
of the right 20 fortify the Nicaragua
canal2'
81 fully indorse the plank of the plat
form adopted by the Democratic CON
yention of Nebraska last Monday de
cl Iring in favor of the immediate con
struction and fortifcation of the cana
by the United States"
"How do you find the sentiment on
the Boer question:"
81 have found sympathy for the Beers
strong in every part Of the country.
For my own part do not understand
how anyone who believes in the doc.
trine of elf-government and rejects
monarchical ideas can fail 10 sympathize
with the Boer republics in their contest
with the monarchy"
The Talleyrand letter referred to by
Mr.. Bryan in his talk on the Philippine
question was called TO his attention by a
Salt Lake editor; but before making any
use Of it he sent to the State Library, TO
make sure that il really was contained
in Talleyrand's correspondence, the ar.
guments the wilv French statesman Of
the Rue Saint Florentine seeming to fiji
so closely with the present arguments
and declarations Of the imperialists o.
today as to cause a suspicion that il wal
OF home manufacture.
The strange letter OF the brilliant
French imperialist reads as follows:
PARIS, November %, 1882.
You have, doubtless, heard Of the ar.
rival of NJ. John Adams, who claims Ia
be an envoy Of the American people,
but is, Of course, mere tool of that
ambitious soldier Of fortune, Washing
ton. We are making history today and
II will record the disgraceful policy OF
the Government in completely aban
doning French sovereignty in the Amer
lean colonies, wrested by France from
the gasp Of England. You will ask
why the triumph Of our army and navy,
and not least OF all. our diplomacy,
should have such miserable failure.
First, this NJ. Adams, who, 10 the
manners OF Cossack, joins both rugged
talents aud yankee" shrewdness, APP
pcals TO French honor. lie claims that
NJ. de Lafayette assured the rebels that
his majesty would allow them TO estab.
lish their independence, not merely of
England, but Of all governments such as
are recognized by the enlightened
nations. Such an Assurance would be-
quite characteristics OF the Quixotic
Marquis, but he never afiirms or denys
making il, probably following some
ones advice. Then the envoy skill
fully touches the chord Of sentiment,
especially when, among his friends, the
disciples Of Rousseau, he quotes from
the declaration OF independence that
governments "deriye their just powers
from the consent OF the governed"
What madness to attempt 20 govern
with abstract ideas, rhetorical generali-
ties and incomplete notions Of equality ?
These sophistries are always on the lips
OF subyerters Of social order, Calonne
says that NJ dc lafayette considers
chiyalry a part Of the law Of nations,
and we all know that snrh theories lold
firm possession Of his wooden head. Put
NJ. Adams reaches the climax OF imPu'
dence in asserting that the ragged and
hAlt.staryed guerilas under Washington,
armed with rusty hrelocks aud pitch
forks, except small nucleus equipped
by our bounty, ovefcame tho disciplined