The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-07
THE OLD STORY OF CITIZEN
GENET.
The Ambassador who Overdid His Job
and Oyerstayed His Welcome.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: The
beginning of the second term of
Washington as President of the
United States found the country in a
situation having very many points Of
resemblance to that which now con-
fronts us in relation to the present
European war. Wal had been de-
clared between Great Britain and
France. and In a letter which WASH
ington wrote to jefferson he says:
1t behooves the Government of this
country to use every means In Its power
to prevent the citizens thereof from EN-
broiling US with either OF these Powers,
by cndeavoring to maintain a strict neu-
trality.
1t should be borne in mind that
almost every citizen Of the United
States at hat time had been q SUBJ
ject of Great Britain; that Washing
ton and most of the prominent OFF,
GERS of the army had served under
commissions issued by Great Britain,
and that there was in very many
quarters a bitter feeling against Eng
land, and also a very strong senti-
iitlt VI IllNllhNiiip " hohNN' "AS
had so generously come to the sup
port Of our country in it's war for in
dependence and had go greatly con-
trbbuted to the success of u efforts
in establishing that independence, and
IL was not altogether strange to find
that the proclamation OF the Presi-
dent, "forbidding the citizens of the
United States to take part in any hos
Titles on the seas and warning them
against carrying to the belligerents
any articles deemed contraband ac-
cordlng to the modern usages of ma
tons, and forbidding all acts and
proceedings inconsistent with the
duties of a friendly nation toward
those at war" reused opposition.
This proclamation was character
lied as a royal edict. a daring as
sumption Of power; an open manifes-
tation Of Partially for England and
hostility to France. and was at vari-
ance with the enthusiastic feelings
and excited objections OF a large por-
ton of the citizens.
At this critical moment the French
republic sent Edmond Charles Genet,
or Citizen Genet" Minister to the
United States. and 1t is interesting
to note how this Minister undertook
to assume to himself that he could
exert an influence and take proceed
ings for the benefit of his country
without regard TO the laws and prece-
dents governing the relations OF ma
tons in times OF war.
Instead OF proceeding to the seat
OF government he landed at Charles
| ton, s. G., on April 5, 1898, a short
time before the proclamation of neu-
traiity. and was received with great
| rejoicings and extravagant demonstra-
tons of respect, and evidently i'm
pressed with the warmth OF this re-
ception he even issued commissions
tor arm!ng and equipping vessels Of
war and manning them with Ameri-
can The then Secretary Of State,
Mr.. jefferson, writing to Mr.. Madi-
son on May ) says:
All the old splr.t Of 1876 rekindling the
newspapers from Boston to Charleston,
and even the monocrat papers, are oh
llgrd TO publish the most furious philip
\ pics against England. A French frigate
took a British prize on the Ilpes OF
Delaware the other day and sent her up
here. Upon her coming into sight
thousands and thousands Of the yeo-
many OF the city crowded and covered
the wharves. Never was such a crowd
seen there: and whom the British co'ors
were seen reversed and tho French lying
above them. they birs; into exultation. J
wish we may be able to rcprcss the spirit
u the people within the limits Of a faig
neutrality,
The progress Of Genet from Charles
ton to Philadelphia was n series OF
ovations. some Of which he sought
to avoid. but others he attended at
which the MarseIldise was sung and
the Red Cap and Tree OF Liberty fig
ured at dinners which were given tc
him at the ar!ou places.
Hamilton commenting on this state
~ affairs writes:
l. cannot he without danger and incon-
veni,ucs to our interests to impress or
the nations OF Europe an iica that We ar,
aCtuRted 10y the same spirit which has
for some time past fatally misguided the
measures Of those who conduct the al
fairs Of France and su.ilei a cause once
glorious and that might have been tri-
umphant. The cause OF France is com
pared to that OF America during It's lalt
revolution. Would - heaven that the
comparison were Just; would to heaven
We could discern In the mirror OF French
AFFAIRS the same decorum, the same
gravity, the same order, The same dignity
the same solemnIly. which dlstinguished
the cause OF the American Revolution.
regret whatever has a tendency to con.
found them, ana ! feel anxious, as az
American. hat the ehul.itions OF incon'
siderate men among US may not tend I,
involve our reputation In the issue.
Genet's efforts and the effect Of his
presence In the country. and the i'll
advised zeal Of those who were in
sympathy with him, extended so faT
AS To cause the organization of a So
cicty called the Democratic So
ciety. which soon gave rise to Others
throughout the country, all takinl
the French side in the then present
questions.
Perhaps we can see in this society
the new so-callcd peace society now
being organized throughout this Coun-
try, having ostCns,bIy in mind Tho
preservation of peace. but having "a
its ultimate result an influence against
that strict rule Of neutrality which
Washington then sought TO maintain
and which our President, Mr.. Wilson
Is now seeking So earnestly in spite