French Broad hustler and Western Carolina Democrat. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1915-1916, 1916-02-24
1892


pathizers alike of Great Britain and
France We're hurting anathemas
against him, and demanding that
America declare war against both ma
tons, Washington said:
MY policy has been and will con-
t1nue to be to maintain friendly terms
with al 1.-The nations of the world. but
be independent Of all and to share in
the broils of none.
Nothing short of self respect and
that Justice which is essential to a
National character, ought to involve Us
in war.
There is but one straight course,
and that is to seek truth, and pursue
il steadily.
with Gods help I win not involve
this nation in war;"
1t was under gloomy auspices. a di-
vtded cabinet. increasing evaporation
of POLITICAL parties, and a suspicion OF
~monarehial tendencies, that Washing
ton entered upon his second term of
Presidency. 1t wa sa protentous pc
Rod in the history of the world.
Louis XVI had been beheaded in
France and a republic had taken the
place of the monarchy.
France had declared war against
England. American sympathy was
with France. BECAUSE Great Britain
vas an ancient enemy while France
had been our friend and ally. Many
would have at once precipitated the
country into a war. r
But this intense and belligerent i'm
tulse vas checked by the calm con-
trolling wisdom of Washington.
Informed that American vessels
we're being fitted out to serve the
French cause. he at once dispatched Il
letter to Secretary Jefferson on the
subject. WAR having actually COM
menced between France and Great
Britain" writes he. it behooves the
government of this country to use
every means in its power to prevent
the citizens thereof from embroiling
us with either OF those powers, by en-
deavoring to maintain a strict neu
trality."
This letter was followed by prompt
action on the part OF his cabinet de-
clsring that the strictest neutrality
must prevail.
But this action of tea President and
his cabinet was at variance with the
excited passions of a large portion os
the citizens.
His popularity was no proof against
the infiamed state of public feeling.
He was bitterly assailed as an migrate
to our friend and ally France and a
secret sympathizer of our ancient
enemy. Great Britain. The entire
| press from Boston to Charleston were
especially denunciatory, and published
furious phillipic5 against England.
Genet. the newly appointed minister
of France was received with tremen-
dous enthusiasm and this enthusiasm
was intensified by Genet's polished
and magnetic manners and diplomatic
speech. But his activity in behalf OF
Ets government became so marked and
! oLen, that the administration was
forced to demonstrate, anu to call upon
him to cease the same.
The case of the Little Sarah
brought affairs as between Genet and
TIE administration to a crisis. This
vessel was a British ship which had
been captured by a French vessel
brought into Philadelphia and armed
and equipped by American French
sympathizers.
Washington at n C. notified Gov.
1 mul1tlu OIL I'LL INoA1d 4OI " PSAA-
the vessel to leave port.
Mr. Jefferson also in a personal in
terview with Genet requested that the
Little Sarah" then called lie Petit
Democrat" should not leave port till
-thePresident should return to Washing
ton and consider the matter in a cab
met meeting. Genet flew into a pas
sion over the matter and in a torrent
Of vi~tuperatfon assailed the govern
ment with charges of base ingratitude,
with c~Cwardice in having its flag in
suited on the high seas by the English
who stopped it's vessels, and tool oui
CT them whatever they suspected to
be French property. He loftily de-
| ciared that the people were against
the President, and that he, Genet
would appeal to the people. This in
Lsulting conduct and language was fol-
lowed a few days thereafter by the
"Petit Democrat" leaving the por;
with the full knowledge of Genet and
in open deinance of the Presidents
order, and an implied promise OF
Genet to Secretary Jefferson that the
vessel would not leave American
shores.
Washington was greatly a.
this fragrant disregard of his orders
and in a letter to Secretary Jefferson
said what is to be done in the case OF
the Little Sarah2 Is the minister o.
the French republic to set the acts 81
this government at defiance with i'm
punity? And then threaten the execu'
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