The Press.
London, England, 1858-08-28 00:00:00

M. DE PERSIGNrS SPEECH.

TIIE speech—very remarkable in many respects—
which has just been delivered by M. DE PERSIGNY,
coupled with that which the French Emperor
himself delivered in the presence of our Queen,
ought, we think, to destroy in men's minds the
idea which has unhappily taken hold of them—
viz., that all that the Emperor and his supporters
say and do to strengthen and improve the alliance
with England is said and done with the secret
intent of more effectually concealing the hostile
designs which they cherish against us, and which
they hope one day actively to develop, by some
sudden invasion of this country. If NAPOLEON
and his supporters really entertain any notions of
this kind, the declarations which they make of a
real desire to consolidate the friendship of the
two nations appear to us a very awkward
mode of preparing the way for the realiza-
tion of their intentions. The Emperor must
know, as well as we know, that if he be
really making preparations for a sudden descent
on the English coast (as many sensible (?) Eng-
lishmen are fully persuaded that he is making),
those preparations could not be concealed from
the vigilant eye of the British Government, by
any hypocritical professions of a desire on the
part of France and her Government to preserve
the most friendly relations. Acts would be
judged by their own character, and not by the
words of the actors. We believe that M. DE
PERSIGNY tells the truth, when he says that the
amount of intercourse between France and Eng •
land has grown to such an enormous degree
that a war between the two countries would par-
take of the character of a civil war ; and that
ruin would be brought down, on some of the
most important classes in both countries, by any
warlike collision. That there are some excitable
and restless spirits in both nations who might
rejoice at such a conflict, we do not deny; but
that the great mass of the French nation would
look forward to it with eagerness (as some people
affirm), is what we cannot bring ourselves to
believe.
Those who charge the Emperor with hypo-
crisy cannot have it both ways. If the haters of
England (who are said to constitute an over-
whelming majority of Frenchmen) understand
these professions as put forth to conceal a deep-
laid scheme for an attack on England, and are
therefore satisfied with them, then it can hardly
be maintained that what all France sees so clearly
is entirely hidden front English vision. Rather
what France sees plainly, England will see plainly
too. If, then, the Emperor's peaceful words are
correctly interpreted, when this sense is put upon
them, they do not answer their imputed purpose ;
they are simply barefaced falsehoods, which
deceive nobody.
But, on the other hand, if the French nation
take his professions in their literal sense, and if
deadly hostility to England be really the ruling
passion in their breasts, then it is quite clear that
their belief in the sincerity of their ruler. on this
matter must create the most dangerous feelings
against his person and dynasty. If, then, the
veil be so transparent that all see through
it, it does not answer its end ; if it
be so thick that it cannot be seen through,
then is it fraught with alarming conse-
quences to its wearer. We say, therefore,
take these speeches which way you will, if the
Emperor cherish a secret design to attack this
country, it appears to us that he could not set