The others present, whether they opposed or supported establishing diplomatic relations with the Revolutionary Government, after hearing Charles say he supported establishing diplomatic relations with the Revolutionary Government, all believed he was primarily supporting the Revolutionary Government out of a shared sense of democratic revolutionary camaraderie, and did not pay attention to what he emphasized in his words—that he was optimistic about the future prospects of the French Revolutionary Government.
In fact, at this time in the world, no government, after learning about the measures the Revolutionary Government would take against the French royal family, was optimistic about the prospects of this government.
After all, the royal families of European countries had complex relationships; even if one king went to war with another, a third king might be drawn into the war due to family interests. Now, a civilian government actually intended to kill a king, which would certainly incur the unanimous hostility of other royal families.
The reason countries had not immediately taken action against the Revolutionary Government was mainly because the various royal families still needed to coordinate and adopt a unified stance. Once an agreement was reached, and the deployment and preparation of armies were complete, the intervention forces of various countries would immediately march into France to suppress this Revolutionary Government, which had not even unified all of France.
Charles could only smile awkwardly upon hearing Jefferson's praise:
"I am indeed optimistic about the prospects of the Revolutionary Government, and even believe that, if necessary, we can directly assist them with supplies and weapons, and not because of their revolutionary stance. Moreover, I believe the American Government and its people can gain huge benefits in the process of helping them. In fact, if they don't plan to offer equivalent benefits, I would even prefer to side with the European kingdoms."
"Uh..." This statement, which was very much in line with the Republican Party's character, immediately made Jefferson feel awkward.
In discussions involving national interests, no matter how much "revolutionary sentiment" he possessed, he couldn't criticize Charles's words. He could only plan to privately mock Charles later. Since his purpose for coming today had been achieved, he said no more. He sat aside with a smile, preparing to watch Franklin, the Republican Party President, contend with Charles, the Republican Party Chairman.
"Charles, why are you optimistic about the prospects of the French Revolutionary Government?" Franklin asked with a frown. "Although we also have considerable sympathy for those revolutionaries in France, the reality is that the Revolutionary Government's strength is far inferior to that of surrounding countries. Yet they are still making unfriendly gestures towards other nations, which will certainly hinder their future development. I am not at all optimistic about their prospects!"
Regardless, Charles's statement just now would certainly influence other members of the Republican Party, and Franklin's desire for the Republican Party to unite against the Democratic Party's schemes was no longer achievable. He was still somewhat displeased internally. His current lack of outward expression was merely due to his seasoned composure and ability to remain unperturbed by favor or disgrace.
"Mr. President. Actually, I do not approve of the French Revolutionary Government's current actions, but I am full of confidence in the strength that the Revolutionary Government will unleash and is capable of unleashing in the future. The French people may not all support the Revolutionary Government, but when other kingdoms enter France under the guise of intervention, it will force those who do not support the Revolutionary Government to stand with the Revolutionary Government for the honor and interests of France. I believe that a united France will make the whole world fear it for decades!" Charles said calmly.
The greatest benefit of revolution is that it provides people with the opportunity to fully express their abilities and ambitions during a time of change. Whether resisting foreign invasion or invading other countries, it gives great opportunities to those with ambition and ability. Such opportunities are very difficult to encounter in a peaceful, stable, and ancient country. Once France truly faces danger, heroes like Napoleon will undoubtedly emerge like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. Of course, the saying that heroes emerge in troubled times actually means that troubled times give a hero the opportunity to freely express himself, allowing his abilities to be displayed and his name to be spread, rather than the era truly shaping the hero.
As Charles's statement was truly beyond the expectations of Franklin, Jefferson, and others, this discussion did not achieve much consensus.
With no conclusions reached, everyone dispersed quickly, each with their own thoughts.
Franklin had already concluded that, because of Charles's statement today, it would be very difficult for other Republican Party members in his cabinet to support his views as they had before. This made the old man, who had always maintained a friendly attitude towards the French royal family and Louis XVI, feel very regretful.
Things indeed unfolded as Franklin expected. Previously, when Charles presided over meetings of the House of Representatives, he had not made any clear statements regarding relations with France, which led most Republican Party members to advocate maintaining distance from the French Revolutionary Government. This clear statement immediately gave many people the possibility to reconsider, and combined with some indecisive people who were heavily influenced by the general trend, the Republican Party's public opinion on relations with France immediately underwent a fundamental change.
Most people still insisted on maintaining friendly relations with other European countries, but they did not oppose being the first to establish diplomatic relations with the French Revolutionary Government, provided that the understanding of other countries was obtained.
The shift of the Republican Party, coupled with the Democratic Party's consistent and relatively radical propaganda of democratic revolutionary ideas among the populace, led a large number of citizens to side with the French Revolutionary Government. The government and opposition parties rarely reached a consensus; a few pro-French royalists like Franklin simply could not change the overall situation.
In mid-March, Franklin finally made the decision to prepare for negotiations on establishing diplomatic relations with the French Revolutionary Government.
The old President, after Charles suddenly raised such an objection, did not argue with Charles, nor did he continue to contend with Charles within the party or government, but chose to silently back down.
It wasn't that Franklin was particularly generous or tolerant; rather, after a brief moment of anger, the old man naturally considered the harm their conflict might bring to the country. He knew that their issues could only be resolved through private coordination, and should not escalate into a direct confrontation.
It was only because he, the old man, the good-natured person, could think this way. If it were a young, passionate President, he would have already been thinking of ways to remove Charles's influence from the government, and perhaps even contend for the leadership of the Republican Party. What the outcome would be, given Charles's influence and character, would truly be very difficult to predict.
Franklin's concession now naturally made it impossible for Charles to raise any questions about Franklin's performance within the Republican Party. This minor party-government conflict, after showing initial signs of escalation, was quickly resolved.
Although Jefferson and Washington, through this incident, understood that the Republican Party was not a monolithic entity and that Charles and Franklin were not without conflicts of interest, they had no opportunity to exploit this contradiction once they had reunited.
It was also at this time that Philadelphia received the latest news from Paris: the French Revolutionary Government had publicly tried king Louis XVI and Queen Marie, and from the current state of the trial, at least one of them would be executed to vent the revolutionaries' resentment towards the royal family.
At this time, negotiations between the American Government and the French Revolutionary Government regarding the establishment of diplomatic relations had reached the most delicate moment.
Whether Louis XVI should be executed, and whether the American Government could attempt to exert pressure in the process, became new topics of discussion.
However, this was limited to the Federal Government and its high-ranking officials. Other foreign envoys and parliamentary figures like Charles were not deeply involved in this discussion, because even if the American Government established diplomatic relations with the Revolutionary Government, its influence would not be enough to change the Revolutionary Government's attitude towards Louis XVI.
Things indeed developed as most people predicted.
In May, the Revolutionary Government sentenced Louis XVI to death, and amidst the cheers of the common people in the streets of Paris, Louis XVI's noble head was publicly severed by the executioner. In June, to relieve Spain's pressure for the Queen's release, Queen Marie also followed in Louis XVI's footsteps. The Revolutionary Government did not even spare other members of the royal family; the crown Prince had his limbs cut off and was thrown into the Bastille to suffer, and other captured members were also largely unable to save themselves.
Under a series of drastic actions by the Revolutionary Government, the confidence of the common people naturally soared, and the royalist resistance forces were also greatly deterred, beginning to curtail their activities or simply flee abroad. The situation of the French Revolution was excellent; on the first anniversary of the outbreak of the French Revolution, except for a small area near Spain still occupied by royalist forces and the Spanish army, most of France officially came under the rule of the Revolutionary Government.
And it was at this time that the procrastinating royal families of Europe finally concluded their lengthy negotiations and decided to organize an intervention force to interfere with the French Revolution.
This decision, if made before Louis XVI was executed, might have gained the support of some French people, but now that Louis XVI and the Queen were both dead, the royal families of various countries only sent troops under the guise of helping the Bourbon dynasty, which naturally made most French people realize the true nature of their intervention force: it was actually an invasion of France for their own interests.
The Revolutionary Government might not have been strong in practical abilities, but in propaganda, it was absolutely first-rate. Upon receiving the news, it immediately carried out a war mobilization nationwide, preparing to respond to the anti-French coalition.
Many talented individuals who had remained neutral during the French Revolution, at the call of the Revolutionary Government, bravely stepped forward, ready to fight for the defense of France. The situation in Europe officially entered a long period of war and instability.