The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-03 00:00:00

NAPOLEON AND NICHOLAS.

( From the Morning Advertiser.)
The last thing of which this journal would be
suspected, would be that of being prepossessed in
favour of the present ruler of France. Our past
opposition to his Government drew down upon us
denunciations, by name, in the pages of the Moni-
teur, written by his own pen. And even so late
as within the last six weeks, the Morning Adver-
tiser has been seized ten or twelve times at the
French Post-office, merely because we happened to
say tlsome things which were unpalatable in the
Tuileries.
But whatever may be our views with regard to
the state of matters as at present existing on the
other side of the channel,—and those views are
unchanged—we feel that we are called on by
every consideration of prudence and patriotism,
to put them for a time in abeyance, in the pre-
sence of those formidable preparations which, it is
now known, Russia has made for subjugating
the whole of Europe to her sway. France is the
only country on which we can rely with confidence
as being in earnest, and determined to resist the
aggressions of the Northern invader ; and it is
essential to us, as well as to herself, that a cordial
understanding should subsist between the two
countries, if the great European burglar is to be
checked and punished. Of the sincerity of France
there is no room for doubt. The doubt with us
always has been, not as regards her, but our own
con' try. We believe we are only speaking in
accordance with the fact when we say, that the
French Government have been much more ad-
vanced on the Eastei n question than our own.
Little, indeed, as has been done by us, even in the
way of show—for, as yet, there has been no action
—we feel that we owe that little to the counsels,
the remonstrances, and the example; of France.
The navy of that country was the first to proceed.
to Besika Bay. The English squadron was obliged
to follow it for very shame. And now that the
allied fleets have entered the Black Sea, we owe
that step also mainly to the energetic course which
France has adopted.
As, therefore, there can be no room to doubt
the perfect good faith of the French Government
in relation to the Turkish question, we cannot too
earnestly impress on the people of this country
the unspeakable importance of cultivating the
closest and most friendly relations with France, so
long as we are surrounded with imminent perils.
We should, indeed, like to see a corlial union be-
tween the Governments of the two countries, esta-
blished on such a basis as would insure its perma-
nency, and not cease, or even be weakened, by the
settlement of the Eastern question. Instead of
France and England being, as they were long repre-
sented to be, natural enemies, they ought to be the
most sincere friends. Cordially united, they will
always have the destinies of Europe in their hands.
Their interests are the same. Any great political
changes in Europe which would affect the interests
of the one, would, more or less, affect the interests
of the other. Either might not be able of itself
effectually to resist a combination on the part of
Russia, Austria, and Prussia against it ; but,
united, they would prove more than a match for
all Europe, were the various despotic countries in
it to enter into a league against them.
Whatever may have been our views, at any time,
of the present or any preceding Government in
France, we have never ceased to impress on the
people of that country the paramount importance
of a close mid cordial union between them and the
people of England. So far as our countrymen are
concerned, we can answer for them, that they not
only are always favourably disposed towards such
a unity of feeling and action, but that they also
desire it. If the people of France imagine they
can see any want of cordiality towards their coun-
try on the part of our Premier or any of his
colleagues, we beg to assure them that the Coali-
tion do not reflect the popular feeling of the
country. The head of the Government and several
of its members may be the friends of the Czar,
and the abettors of a Muscovite policy ; but so far
from the nation having any sympathy with such
Ministers, they are indignant in the highest de-
gree that they should be in power. And what is
more, the pro-Russian members of the Cabinet
will not be permitted to remain in office to mis-
represent the public feeling, and to play the game
of the Count de Chambord. It is the sane Rus-
sian intrigues and influence which hare placed
Lord Aberdeen at the head of the Government,
and kept him there, which have brought about that
unnatural amalgamation between the two branches
of the Bourbon family in France, which came upon
Europe some weeks ago with surprise. The people
of England are well aware of this, and will not long
tolerate a Ministry which, acting under Muscovite
inspiration, is secretly in favour of the restoration
of the Bourbons. The existence of a Russianised
Cabinet in Downing-street has hitherto been the
great obstacle to a thorough union with France ;
and when that obstacle has been removed, we may
rest assured that the friendship between the two
countries will become cordial ; and then a course
of action, in all the great emergencies which may
happen, will be simultaneous and the same.
The Emperor of France has, it ought to be re-
membered, whatever we may iink of his views
regarding the administration of home affairs,
hitherto given every proof of the sincerity of his
friendship for this country. So far as relates to
the Eastern question, it is no secret in the Court
of St. James's—it is no secret in any Court of
Europe—that every effort has been made which
Russian ingenuity could suggest to detach the
Eun,eror of France from this country. But he has
resolutely resisted all the influences brought to
bear upon him with the vi,ew of accomplishing that
object. So far from having been even shaken in
his resolution to continue his alliance with Eng-
land, he has, within the last few weeks, afforded
proofs not to be mistaken, that he has become more
and more confirmed in his purpose to make com-
mon cause with this country in the resistance
which must be offered, not for the sake of Turkey
only, but for the integrity of the territorial pos-
sessions of the various countries in Europe—to the
audacious aggressions of the Czar.

No doubt, the Chief Magistrate of France, in
determining on this line of policy, has chosen the
wisest course for himself. Had he formed an
alliance with Nicholas, the latter would have be-
trayed him whenever a convenient season for the
purpose had arrived. There never could have
been any sincere friendship, on .the part of the
Cossack Emperor for the Emperor of France. The
Czar, and all the other despotic Courts on the Con-
tinent, look on Louis Napoleon as a parvenu, which
lie himself glories in being. There could not, there-
fore, be, on the part of the Czar, any cordiality of
feeling between him and the Emperor of the French.
Consequently, in refusing to listen to the urgent
solicitations addressed to him to sever th• connexion
with England, and identify himself with the cause
of the Czar, he has consulted his own best inter-
ests. But that consideration ought not to make us
one whit the less sensible of the value of the alli-
ance of France at this fearful crisis in the history
of Europe. We regard that alliance as of vital
importance, not only to France and England them-
selves, but to Europe generally ; and, therefore, i
the existence of the Aberdeen Cabinet, which is a
Bourbon as well as Cossack Cabinet, interposes an
insuperable obstacle to a sincere friendship, and
cordial co-operation, on the part of France and
England, that Ministry must be got out of the way
with all practicable expedition.

TESTIMONIAL—Our late townsman, Professor Cope,
during a visit here this week, received an elegantly
chased silver salver, bearing the following inscrip-
tion :—" This token of respect was presented to J. G.
Cope, Esq., by his pupils at the Royal Grammar School,
Lancaster, Oct. 1853." Preston Chronicle.
CEICZET.—The eighth annual ball of the St. James's
Cricket Club will take place at Willis's Rooms, on
Tuesday, the 10th hat