The Express.
London, England, 1866-09-18 00:00:00

[STAMPED, ld. ADDITIONAL.]

An irresistible power—can we regret it 7--impels
the peoples to unite themselves in grand masses and
is causingthe disappearance of secondary states. This
tendency springs from the desire to place general
interests under the most efficacious of guarantees.

Possibly it is inspired by a kind of irovidential
foresight of the destinies of the world. While the
old populations of the continent increase slowly
in their restricted territories. Russia and the

republic of the United States may each within
the next hundred years number a hundred
million of men. Although the p of these
two great empires is not for us arilitrljewct of solici-
tude, while rather we applaud their gene-
rous efforts in favour of oppressed races, it is
for the interest of the nations of central Europe
not to remain broken up into little States without
either force or public spirit.
Policy should raise itself above the narrow and
petty prejudices of past ages. The Emperor does
not believe that the greatnessof the country depends
on the enfeeblement of the nations which surrounds
it.; in his view the true equilibrium of Europe con-
sists in the satisfaction given to the desires of the
nations of Europe. In that view he remains faith-
ful to his long settled convictions and to the tradi-
tions of his race. Napoleon foresaw the changes
which are now being effected on the European con-
tinent. He planted the germs of new nationalities in
the peninsula by creating the kingdom of Italy and
.in effacing in Germany 250 independent states.
If these considerations are just and true it was
wise of the Emperor to accept the part of mediator,
which has not been without glory ; to arrest useless
shedding of blood ; to soften the conqueror by his
friendly intervention ; to mitigate the consequences
of a reverse, and in spite of all obstacles to labour
for the establishment of peace. He would have
misconceived his high responsibility if, violating
the neutrality which he promised and proclaimed,
he had suddenly plunged into the chances
of a great war, ono of those wars which
aroused the hatred of races, and in which
whole nations meet in the shock of battle.
'What could have been the purpose of such a war
gratuitously waged against Prussia and necessarily
against Italy i A conquest, a territorial aggran-
disement. But the imperial government has long
since laid down its principles in respect of terri-
torial extension. It comprehends, it has compre-
hended, those annexations which are commanded
by an absolute necessity, reuniting to the country
populations having the same manners and the same
national spirit as ours ; and it has asked from the
free consent of Savoy and the country of Nice the
re-establishment of our national frontier. France
can only desire such territorial aggrandisement' as
do not impair her territorial cohesion ; but she
should always labour for her moral or political ag-
grandisement by using her influence to advance
the great interests of civilisation.
tier role is to strengthen the accord between all
those powers which desire at one and the same
time to maintain the principle of authority and to
favour progress This alliance will take from re-
volution the prestige of that patronage with which
it pretends to cover the cause of the liberty of
peoples, and will preserve to great enlightened
States the wise direction of the democratic move-
ment which is manifested in all parts of Europe.
At the same time there is in the emotions which
have taken possession of the country a legitimate
sentiment which it is proper to acknowledge and
understand. The results of the last war teach a
grave lesson, though not at the cost of the honour
of our arms : they indicate the necessity of
perfecting our military organization for the de-
fence of our territory without delay. '
The nation will not be wanting to this duty, which
cannot be a menace for anyone ; it takes a just
pride in the valour of its armies ; its susceptibi-
lit;es awakened by the memory of its military his-
tory, and the name and acts of the sovereign who
governs it, are only the expression of its firm de-
termination to 'visa ttitank aid hams* is the
world above all attack.
Finally, from the lofty point of view from
which the Imperial government considers the des-
tinies of Europe, the horizon appears to it free
from menacing contingencies ; formidable problems
which ,ught to be resolved, weighed upon the desti-
nies of peoples ; they have received their natural
solution without too violent shocks, and without
the dangerous aid of revolutionary passions. The
peace which will rest on such bases will be a lasting

peace.
As to France, to whatever quarter she looks,
she perceives nothing which can embarrass
her progress or trouble her prosperity. Preserv-
ing friendly relations with all the powers, directed
by a policy which has generosity and moderation
for its symbols, resting on its imposing unity, with
' its genius which radiates in all directions, with its
wealth and its credit which fertilise Europe, with
its military forces developed, surrounded, hence-
forth, with independent nations, it is seen to be
not less great than it was, and it will remain not
less respected.
Such is the language which you are to hold in
your intercourse with the government to which you
are accredited.—Accept, sir, A;c.,
L•val-Erra.

POSTPONEMENT OF THE VOLUNTEER FETES AT
BRUstau4.—We last night received the following com-
munication from the secretaries of the Volunteer Com-
mittee :—" To the Editor of the Express. English
Volunteer Committee, Hon. Secretaries' Office, 79, Basing-
hall-street, London, E.C., Monday Night, 11 o'clock.—Sir,
—We regret to inform you that the Conseil Communale of
Brussels has decided on postponing the fetes that
were to have commenced on Saturday next. As
a consequence the meeting of the Tir National
is also postponed. The Conseil meets again on
Monday, October 1, to fix on what day in that month
the fetes will commence. The intelligence is only this
moment received, while in the midst of our (preparations
for the occasion ; we can therefore at present only appeal
to you to give the greatest publicity of the fact to our
volunteer friends.—\t e are, he., Jons Flamm. and
EDWARD C. Biutforte, Hon. Secretaries. P.S. ALL
tickets already issued will be available next month.."
In explanation it should be stated that the cholera has
been very fatal in Brussels for some time past. So much
so, indeed, that the burgomaster has not even issued the
programme of the annual fetes, although it usually makes
its appearance a month at least before the anniversary of
the 23rd September. There can be no doubt, therefore,
that the authorities have exercised a wise discretion in
postponing the meeting, which would have caused large
assemblages of people, and would, perhaps, have resulted
in a far greater mortality than that already recorded.
BOROUGH OF LAMBETH REGISTRATIONS.-111r.
Philip H. Le Breton, the barrister appointed to revise the
lists of voters of the respective parishes comprising the
borough of Lambeth, held scourt for that purpose yesterday
in the Sessions-house, Newington-caueeway. There being
no agents employed on either aide, the proceedings excited
little interest. There were no objections taken to parties
already on the register in either of the parishes.
TOTAL WRECK OF THE SHIP QUEEN OF TER
Queens—A telegram received in Liverpool yesterday front
Queenstown announces the arrival at that port that morn-
ing of the ship Imogene, bound from Paraiba, and of the
landing from the Imogene of the crew of the ship Queen of
the Forth, which was totally hat some time since on the
bar off Paraiba. Fortunately the officers and crew of the
wrecked ship were all saved and brought home in the
Imogene. 'The Queen of the Forth wee a comparatively
new vessel, of about 700 tons burden, built on the Clyde
in 1865, and owned in London by Messrs. Wright end Co.
She was classed A 1 at Lloyd's for ten years, and when
smoked was bound from louden to Bombay, tinder the
command of Captain Croombe, a clever and experienced
seaman, and one, we understand, wall acquainted in the

Hide.
MANCHESTER, SHE/YIELD, AND LINCOLNSHIRE
RAILWAY.—The total expenses of this company's railosys
and canals, including rents, tolls, duty, kr., from July
lit to Sept. 9th, 1866, amounted to 99,018 L, as against
89,1791. for the corresponding period of 1866. The pro-
portion of the South Junction receipts accruing to this
company from July Ist to Sept. 9th amounted to 8,3501.4
as against 8,3301. for the corresponding period of 1865,
end the expenses to 4,0071. so 60E4 013 i. - •

[TWOPENCE