The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-07

they relate to that department.
This Interpretation Of our Consti-
tuition and the powers vested In the
various departments of our Gov
eminent did not please Mr.. Genet
at all and he said: II would not
compliment Mr.. Jefferson on such
a Constitution"
All this occurred during the
month of July, 1898. and arose out
Of the circumstance hat a British
merchant vessel known as the Lit
tie Sarah had been captured by a
French privateer and had been
brought in to Philadelphia, had been
armed and equipped for privateer-
ing. manned with 100 men,. many
Of them Americans, and the nam
changed to LIE Petit Democrat. and
the Government Immediately put In
force its best efforts to prevent the
sailing of this vessel and its evident
and serious violation Of our treaties
and Of the proclamation Of neutral
ity which had been published. The
situation was further complicated by
the trial of one Gideon Henfield. an
American citizen, prosecuted under the
advice OF the Acknowledgement for
having enlisted at Charleston on
board of y. French privateer, which
had brought prizes into the port of
Philadelphia, and the acquittal OF
Henfeld was followed by clamorous
rejoicings evincing the popular dis
position to thwart hat line OF policy
which Washington considered as
most calculated to promote the public
good. but nothing would induce Wash
ington to depart from the policy
which he had in his good judgment
believed to be that which was the
best for the interest and welfare of
our country. and although lampooned
and ~caricatured in the public press he
still persevered In this policy and at
last the sincerity and purity OF his
conduct and the benefit which would
be so secured to this country by its
attitude during the war between
France and England, and the outrage
eous and persistent efforts on the
part of Mr.. Gene to enforce his
views. forced itself upon the public
and shocked our national pride. Meet
ings were held in every part of the
Union to impress the public feeling
in the matter. In these meetings the
proclamation OF neutrality and the
system of measures flowing from 1t
were sustained partly from the con-
viction OF their wisdom and Justice,
but more from an undiminished az
lection for the person and character
OF Washington, and the recall Of
Genet was determined upon and
finally secured.
Great Britain at this time by It's
action in regard to the cutting off
Of supplies to France and her action
In regard to the holding of certain
ports on the southern shores of our
great lakes. came near preC!pitating
trouble in spite of all hat had been
done, but the firm hand OF Washing
ton stcered the cours of affairs so
ms to avoid and prevent at this criti-
cal time any open break or actual
acts Of war. And in the light of our
present d!lemmas it is again worthy
Of our best attention to read a por-
tlon Of the speech made by Washing
ton on December 2, 1898, at the open
Ing OF Congress:
The United States ought not To indulge
a persuasion that. contrary to the order
Of human events, they will forever keel
at a distance those painful appeals to
arms with which the history Of every
nation abounds. There is a rank due "a
he United States among nations. which
vii he Withheld, II not absolutely lost
hy reputation OF weakness. IL We desire
20 avoid insult We must be able TO rope
I'D. - 49, ia
'he most powerful Instruments OF oul
prosperity, Il must be known that We ar.
at all times ready for war.
And then he goes on to urge meas
ules to increase the amount of arms
and ammunition in the arsenals and
TO improve the militia establishment
So we have good precedence there &c
propose preparation TO resist any at
tacks which may he made against
Us n to enforce any rights which
i would he Jul duty to enforce.
At Just about that time and after
the dismissal OF Genet in language
sentative OF foreign nations now pres
ent with us. jefferson spoke thus:
have II in charge to observe that you
functions as the missionary or a foreigf
nation here are confined to the transsc
lions OF the affairs of your nation. will
the executive OF the United States; tina.
communication which are to pass be
tween the executive and legislativ,
branches cannot be a subject for you
Interference, and that the President mus
he left to Judge for himself what mat
ters his duty or public good may re
auire him to propose TO the delibe rationt
ot Congress.
Shortly after this Mr.. jefferson. a.
Secretary OF State, resigned and hi,
place was filed by Edmund Randolph
We have a President actuated hS
a Ike sense Of duty and a desire fol-
peace with honor. and Of whom 4
may he said. as was said Of Washing,
ton at that time. his integrity wa.
most pure; his Justice the most In,
flexible ! have ever known; no mo,
lives Of interest or consanguinity, OF
friendship, or hatred, being able t,
bias his decision. He was indeed II
the fun sense OF the word a wise, {
good and a great man"
ANDERSON PRICE.
NEW YORK. September 8.