The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-02-06
TODAY We c%ELEeRAT7.
United States Owes France Unpaid
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Dept Of Gratitude.
That the United States, a cosmo.
polls OF all the peoples of the world,
should be divided in its sympathies In
the present European war, is natural
and inevitable: Blood is thicker
than water" as an American naval
commander remarked when he went
to the assistance of a ha~rd.pressed
British man-o:war in Chinese waters
"a sentiment that again received
practical demonstration at Manila.
Apart from the almost universal pity
FOR stricken Belgium, American SYM
pathies are largely based on racial
origins. The preponderation of hope
for the success of the allies is prob.
ably based to no small extent on the
common origin and tongue which
Americans share with Englishmen.
The fate of France is apparently OF
less concern to the masses OF the
American people than that of Eng.
land or Germany.
In this crisis in the worlds history.
however, It, Is not to be forgotten that
the United States owes its very ex.
tstence to France-a debt Of graft.
tude which to this day remains un.
paid. This sixth day y February is
the real independence day OF the
great American republic, for It was on
February 8, 177S, that a treaty OF al
lance was con ...uded by which France
entered the conflict on the side Of the
struggling colonists. 1t has been said
that 1T was hatred of England, rather
than love for America, which impelled
France to take parti n the war. That
was doubtless true. in part, hut only
in part. The teachings OF the great
French philosophers had given
Frenchmen that enthusiasm for lib.
erty, fraternity and equality which
was soon to find expression in their
own revolution. Whatever the mo-
tive, Frances assistance was a large
part, and probably a necessary part,
in the achievement of the ends for
which the American rebels against
English authority fought.
For many years after the treaty of
alliance the sixth OF February was
celebrated by the people OF the United
States. The first anniversary was
marked by festivities in which Wash
ington and his troops participated.
The significance OF tho day has long
since vanished from the public mind,
and It Is well, for to recall It now is
also to recall that the United States
entered a bargain with France which
was not kepe France sent the United
States eighteen million livres in gold,
as well as ships and men. and with
this aid the United States became a
nation. BY the treaty Of alliance the
republic guaranteed to France the
present possessions OF the Crown of
France In America, al we'll as those
which It may acquire by the future
treaty Of peace" When Great Brit.
ain captured the French possessions
In the West Indies. which the United
States had guaranteed to defend
from the present time and forever
against all other powers" America
voiced no protest. Indeed, only six.
teen years after the treaty Of alliance,
the United States entered into n
treaty with England which was in di.
rect conformation to the treaty with
France.
When France, having followed the
example of the United States in de-
claring a republic, faced all Europe
in arms, the United States turned
against its former friend, suspended
all commercial intercourse with her,
and was on the point Of declaring
war in 1898. It is true that the
French had made seizures Of Ameri-
can ships and valuable cargoes at
sea, but this was In retaliation for
Americas failure to live up to its
treaty obligations. In the end the
two countries renowned their res.
pectiye claims against each other and
resumed friendly relations. The fin.
anc.al Indebtedness was wiped from
the slate. But the debt Of gratitude
which the United States owes France
and Frenchmen remains unpaid-and.
this anniversary Of the treaty which.
vas the most decisive event in the
American revolution is a good day
to remember 1t.