The Ordway new era., 1913-11-21
InstaIIment rs

Towards the close of June, Wash
tngton ventured to go for a little while
TO Mount Vernon for rest. At once
there was trouble. A privateer was
found taking arms and stores aboard
in tho very river at Philadelphia; JEFF
ferson allowed her to drop down to
Chester, believing Genet instead Of
the agents Of the government; and
she was upon the point OF getting to
sea before Washington could reach
the seat Of government. Jefferson
was not In town when the president
arrived.
What 10 to be done in the case Of
the Little Sarah now at Chester?"
came Washington's hot questions after
him. "Is the minister of the French
republic to~set the acts of this gov
ernment at defiance with impunity?
And then threaten the executive with
an appeal to the people? What must
the world think of such conduct. and
Of the United States In submitting to
It? Circumstances press for decision;
and a. you have had time to consider
them, wish to know your opinion
upon them, even before tomorrow, for
the vessel may then be gone" 1t
was indeed too late to stop her;
gross violation OF neutrality had been
permitted under the very eyes Of the
secretary of state. Washington stayed
henceforth in Philadelphia. In person
al control of affairs. 1t was an ap-
peal to the people that finally deiiv-
cred Genet into his hands. Washing
ton revoked the exequatur OF one Du-
plaine, French consul at Boston. for
continuing to ignore the laws OF neu-
trality; Genet declared he would ap-
peal from the president to the SOW
ereign state of Massachusetts; rumors
of the silly threat got abroad. and
Genet demanded OF the president that
he deny them. Washington answered
with a chilling rebuke: the correspond
ence was given to the public prints;
and at last the country saw the
French minister for what he was.
demand for his recall had been re-
solved upon in the cabinet In August;
by February. 1874, the slow processes
of diplomatic action were complete.
and successor had arrived. Genet did
not venture to return to mis-, distract
ed country: but he was as promptly
and as readily forgotten in America.
Some might find It possible to love
longer stomach Genet. 81
Il, Washington had OWNED French af-
Rfairs much too clearly to be for mo-
ment tempted to think with anything
but contempt Of the French party who
had truckled to Genet. It was his
elear perception what the danger
would be should America be drawn in
10 the gathering European wars that
had led him to accept q second term
Is president. 1t had been his wish to
remain only four years In the arduous
pfice; but he had no thought to leave
q task unfinished: knew that he was
In the very midst of the critical busi-
ness of holding the country to the
course which should make 1t self
Prospecting nation: and consented to
submit himself once more to the vote
of the electors.
Elected for Second Term.
Parties were organizing, but there
was no opposition to Washington. He
freceived again a unanimous vote: and
John Adams was again chosen vice
&president. The second inauguration
(March. 1888 seemed but routine
teonfirmation Of the first
But the elections to congress showed
10 change setting In. In the senate
the avowed supporters OF the admin
.istration had still narrow majority;
but in the house they fell ten votes
short Of control; and Washington had
Il to put his policy of neutrality into ex-
ecution against the mad Genet with
/ nothing but doubts how he should be
supported. The insane folly of Genet
saved the president serious embar-
rassment. after all; made the evidence
that Washington was right too plain
to be missed by anybody: and gave
the country at last vision enough to
see what was In fact the course of
Affairs abroad, within and without un-
happy France. ..
Before that trying year 1898 was
out, an attack upon Hamilton in the
house, though led by Madison, had
failed; Jefferson had left the cabinet;
and the hands Of those who definitely
and heartily supported the president
were not little strengthened.
There was sharp bitterness between
parties-a bitterness sharper as yet.
indeed. than their differences Of view;
but the "federalists." who stood to the
support Of Washington and Hamilton.
were able, none the less. to carry their
more indispensable measure-even an
act of neutrality which made the pres
ident's policy the explicit law Of the
land. The sober second thought of
the country was slowly coming about
to their aid.
Doubts About England.
The air might have cleared alto
Gether had the right method Of deal
ing with France been the only ques-
tion that pressed; but the III fortune
of the time forced the president to