The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-10-03
TALKS TO
HISTORY STUDENTS
Continued from page two.)

France was in the midst of a war
with Great Britain and was insisting
upon the aid of our government. The
people of the United States were ov-
erwhelmingly in favor of joining with
France in hostitlities toward Eng
land. The French minister, Genet,
arrived at Charlestown, and without
so much as first calling upon Presi-
dent Washington, or submitting his
credentials, began the work of an
evangelist in support of the French
cause against Great Britain and act
i've participation by the United States
in the Franco-English war. Senti-
ment was so strong that Genet, in
spite of his discourteous action to-
ward the administration, vas enthus-
iastically welcomed on his journey to
Philadelphia which was then the cap
ital. AS we all know, the recall of
Genet was demanded and the admin
istration placed itself firmly against
the policy of participating in the war.
Mr.. French said that the by-prod-
ucts of this act were of epOchal i'm
portance. First, as regards the prop
err conduct of a representative of one
country toward another, it furnished
a lesson in the common cOurtesies
that should govern nations and their
representatives. The precedent es-
tablished by Washington has been adj
hered to by all executives who have
had occasion to meet such a problem
AND as an illustration, during recent
years Mr.. French cited the fact that
President Cleveland asked for the re-
call of Lord Sackville-West, the Brit
ish ambassador to the United States,
who had rather uncautiously indicat-
ed that the reelection of President
Cleveland would be very satisfactory
to Great Britain. Second, a great by
product of the Genet episode was the
establishment of a precedent touch
ing our foreign policy. The whole
attitude of Washington's administra-
ton was to form a policy which later
was c~rystallized into the Monroe Doc
trine. The refusal of u government
to participate in European difficulties
as urged by France marked the begin
ming of III recognition of the con-
verse of the Monroe Doctrine-the
strict adherence to our own affairs.
Third, another precedent that was es-
tablished by Washington that has
proven to be of the greatest import
ance was the policy Of holding the
course of the administration true to
duty as those charged with the ad-
ministration saw duty, rather than to
modify the policy of the administra-
ton to fit in with the passing within of
public sentiment. This is a proceed
ent that has been followed ever since
by all administrations in great crises,
Lincoln, when at n time public
would have brought the
w. L. - - XYlIa~~
during the World war, when he press
ed the selective draft measure for
passage rather than the measure In
volving the volunteer system.
Finally, the lecturer regarded the
farewell address, itself, as an act Of
President Washington of first magni-
ude in shaping from that day to this
the course of our government.
Compares Modern Methods
Turning to modern methods of gov
ernment, the speaker dwelt upon the
method by which the president car
ries on his work. First Of all, he
must be a student. He must be cour-
ageous and to succeed must interpret
wishes to the public and in turn
be able to interpret the spirit of the
citizens of our country. He discussed
Tile WOIh u Lie OlllCGIS VI LIE CdU-
and said that for many years
there had been two definite cabinet
meetings per week where problems of
government were discussed inform
ally no minutes being kept of the pro-
ceedings. He told how the president
must organize his day in systematic
manner, setting apart certain hours
callers who have business, a short
o-,OJ 80 lsDoD -h1 ~~--.I1o - ~ i
individuals or groups who de-
sire to pay their respects and how
from time to time, presidents took
trips and through public addresses
into contact with the public, a
necessary that the president
and the public may be understood.
He discussed the official papers that
president presents to the congress
his inaugural address and later his :
The inaugural address is
intended to outline the general policy ,
of the president. The messages are s
more specific and oftentimes speci-
fies as to detail in defining the policy s
hat the administration would like to /
carry forward. II
The speaker said it was custom ]
ary for the president to call Upon the t
JdItlCuldI uCpdI CulCuI uSduo WIZ :
we're in charge Of subjects that he de-
sired to discuss to brief up for him
matters that in a rough way he
lad indicated his desire to submit to
he congress-. The president then {
edits, adopts or discards what has
submitted, sometimes writing it s
anew, and at all times going into the 5
matter with such are as to )
it his own.
Washington and Adams, of the ear
y presidents. delivered their mess
in person to the two houses Of
meeting in joint session. !
refferson modified this policy by
ending his messages to the congress s
o be read by the clerks in the re-
p~ective houses and the precedent !
established by him was followed I'M 4
IL Wilson's administration when c
President Wilson delivered all his i'm
ortant messages in person. S
President Harding followed in this p
~--a1 n