Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-13
AMERICAN WARS
NEVER FOUGHT
How Our Presidents Have Faced
National Crises-Standing Against
Popular Clamor-Patriotic Sup
port of the Administration.
By ROBERT HILDRETH.

~ United States the country mas laCed the
imminent prospect of war, and yet escaped
the misfortune of armed conflict. The tale
of American wars that never happened-and
It certainly is not less honorable than the
war history of the nation-contains a num-
ber of facts which are of special interest at
this time. From the beginning the Presi-
dents have exercised controlling power
over foreign relations, and infinitely much
has depended on their cool-headedness and
firmness OF action.
In 1893 our politics were divided according
to the division in Europe. Washington
feared that the ardent French partlsans In
this country would, by some rash action,
bring on war with England, and Issued
proclamation of neutrality. In April came
Genet first minister from the French Ke-
public. Genet was talkative. He described
Washington as a weak old man, under Brit
ish influence. He informed his Government
and in this he was not far from right
that the American people did not approve
the neutrality proclamation. 1t was wash
ington's calmness In the midst OF popular
clamor which saved us from war with
Great Britain when in all probability 1t
would have proved disastrous to the young
nation. Yet there was another benefcent
factor in the case, and that was the pa
triotic support which the people as whole
gave to the Government when Genet over
stepped himself and appeared to the people
as a foreigner meddling over much in our
own business.
The Quarrel With France.
In the administration of Adams we had
quarrel with France which resulted in a few
sea fights, though state of war was rec
ognizcd by the two Governments. Early in
1897, when Minister Pinckney's humiliating
treatment in Paris became known in Amer
lea, there was violent outbreak OF popular
feeling Two members of the Cabinet were
among those who cried loudest for war But
fortunately there were moderate men of
both parties who took middle ground, de-
Tending the national honor but willing to
try diplomatic efforts to avert conflict while
preparation for war went on. One of them
was President Adams, who in all the clamor
of the day did not lose his poise.
The situation regarding our trade at sea
presented the consideration, not wholly alb
sent today that grievances existed against
both parties to the war in Europe. Both
France and England were interfering with
our ships It was as difficult for America to
maintain a position of strict neutrality as 1t
was to take sides with either offender. Our
grievances against France, however, were
not such as to make war necessary while
those against Great Britain were aggravated
until the War of 1912, and then, apparently
were not finally settled.
Less than so years after the Treaty OF
Ghent occurred an event which brought Eng
land and America to the VSrge of, open hos
tilities-the famous Trent affair" of No
vember 8, 1851. Instantly England was
ahame with anger. Here the people were
equally excited. No battle Of the war was
received in the North with more uproarious
joy than Wilkes foolish act
The Palmerston Government made active
preparations for war. Lord Russell, who
was as much the head of the Ministry as
Lord Palmerston, wrote to the British Min
lister at Washington dispatch so violent
and provocative that Prince Albert, when it
was submitted to the Queen, toned 1t down
1t was the last public act which the Prince
ever performed Lord Lyons, at Washing
ton, acted with his customary judgment and
delicacy, avoiding contact with American Of
ficals until he had heard from home. In
presenting the note to Seward he acted in
the most tactful way.
But not the least important fact in con-
nection with this important crisis was the
calmness and wisdom OF Abraham Lincoln.
At the beginning of the administration
Seward, who expected to run the Govern
ment, advised Lincoln to provide excitement
for the public mind by raising questions
with Great Britain, even by declaring war,
but he found that Lincoln was able to give
himself good counsel and act accordingly. 1t
should be added however that seward was
in agreement with the President as to the
which should be made to the Brit
ish demands regarding the Trent.
Ceveland's Tribute to People
Another war which did not happen was
that which might have arisen out of the
Venezuelan controversy between Great Brit
ain and the United States. In this instance
there was no popular clamor for war, but
when in closing his message to Congress,
December II, 1895, Cleveland sent the fol-
lowing spirited appeal to the American peo-
pie: "There is no calamity which a great
nation can invite which equals a supine sub
mission TO wrong and injustice and the con-
sequent loss of national self respect and
honor" the words were received with an
outburst of enthusiastic applause by Demo-
Gratis and Republicans alike. The situation
was indeed serious, and though Cleveland's
part in producing it has not escaped criti-
cism, II cannot be doubted that his action
our international prestige. He re-
established the old Monroe Doctrine and
newly established another
A decade ago, in an photographed
essay, Cleveland paid tribute to 1.-The sub
lime patriotism and devotion to their ma
tions honor exhibited by "the great mass
of our countrymen-the plain people of the
land" at the time of the Venezuelan difri-
Guilty Though, in case of the last extrem-
ity the chances and suffering OF conflict
would have fallen to their lot, nothing
blinded them to the manner in which the
integrity of their country was involved. Not
for a single moment did their Government
lrpo,Ey the lack of their strong ana atatuyart