The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-08-22


his will grew often little irksome to
the minority in congress: and the op-
position slowly pulled itself together
as the months went by to concert a
definite policy of action
Washington saw as plainly as any
man what was taking place. He was
sensitive to the movements of opin-
ion; wished above all things to have
the government supported by the peo-
pies approval; was never weary of
writing to those who were in posi-
ton to know, to ask them what they
and their neighbors soberly thought
about the questions and policies under
debate; was never SO impatient as to
run recklessly ahead of manifest pub
lie opinion
He knew how many men had been
repealed by the measures he had sup
i ported Hamilton in proposing; knew
that q. reaction had set in; that even
to seem to repulse France and to re-
fuse her aid or sympathy would sure
! ly strengthen it. The men who were
opposed to his financial policy we're
also the men who most loved France,
now she was mad with revolution.
They were the men who dreaded a
| strong government as direct menace
to the rights alike of individuals and
of the separate states; the men who
held very imperative philosophy of
separation and of revolt against any
too great authority. If he showed
himself cold towards France, he would
| certainly strengthen them In their
charge that the new government
! craved power and was Indifferent to
the guarantees of freedom.
But Washington's spirit was of the
majestic sort that keep a great and
hopeful confidence that the right view
will prevail; that the standard to
which the wise and honest will repair"
| is also the standard to which the
whole people will rally at last, if it
be but held long and steadily enough
on high to be seen of all. When the
moment for action came he acted
promptly. unhesitatingly, as If in in
difference to opinion. The outbreak
Of war between France and England
made it necessary he should let the
country know what he meant to do.
War having actually commenced
between France and Great Britain" he
wrote to Jefferson in April, 1893, lit
behooves the government of this coun-
try to use every means in its power
to prevent the citizens thereof from
embroiling us with either OF those
powers. by endeavoring to maintain
i a strict neutrality. therefore require
that you will give the subject mature
shall be deemed most likely to effect
this desirable purpose may be adopted
| without delay Such other
measures as may be necessary for US
to pursue against events which 1t may
not be In our power to avoid or con-
troll. you will also think of, and lay
them before me at my arrival in Phil
adelphia; for which place shall set
out tomorrow"
He was at Mount Vernon when he
dispatched these instructions; but it
did not take him long to reach the seat
OF government, to consult his cabinet,
and to Issue proclamation OF neu-
trality whose terms no man could mis-
take. 1t contained explicit threat of
exemplary action against any who
should presume to disregard it.
/ Genet Comes From France.
That very month april, 1899 Ed
mond Charles Genet. youth still In
his twenties whom the new republic
over sea had commissioned minister
to the United States. landed at
Charleston. 1t pleased him to take
possession of the country. as If it were
of course an appenage of France. He
was hardly ashore before he had be-
gun to arrange for the fitting out of
| privateers. to issue letters OF marque
to American citizens, and to author
ize French consuls at American ports
to act as judges Of admiralty in the
condemnation of prizes.
AS he journeyed northward to Phil
adelphia he was joyfully confirmed in
his views and purposes by his recep-
ton at the hands Of the people. He
was everywhere dined and toasted and
| lCtCQs do IL AS Adu uCcu u IhNOI1lG
prince returned to his subjects. His
| speeches by the way rang In q tone
OF authority and patronage. He
reached Philadelphia fairly mad with
the sense of power. and had no con-
ceptlon Of his real situation till he
stood face to face with the president.
OF that grim coutenance and cold
greeting there could be but one inter
probation; and the fellow WINGED to
feel that at last he had come to
grapple with the country's govern
ment. 1t was, no doubt. In the eyes OF
the SOLDERING man. strange and start.
| ling thing that then took place. The
country itself had not fully known
Washington till then-or its own dig
nifty either. 1t had deemed the proc
lamation of neutrality party meas
ure, into which the president had been
led by the enemies of France, the par
tisans of England.
But the summer undeceived every
body, even Genet Not content with