Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-04-24
SPEECH OF Mr. BELL concluded from FIRST page.

great people, leading to the conclusion that he would
become aggressive and plunge his country into war; he
still under political necessity TO make Ii is
that in doing he may but rush upon his fate BE il So
He pause in his He give employment
his four hundred thousand soldiers they win divide
and assimate with the factions faternze with the
pubcans At all events prevent these dissensions in
his army he must have the control Of large they
only be acquired by levying contributions upon the
resourcespf his neghbors He wants. too the prestige
military to still further conciiate and consolidate
the esteem and affections Of Frenchmen
This remarkable has hitherto in his policy his
and energy in civil affairs, evinced many kindred
qualities, and trod with singular fidelity in the footsteps
Of his ustrious relative Doubtless, like him. he con-
sders himself the child Of destiny born carry out all
that projected by the great Napoleon Imperial
attained the boundaries of France enlarged the Rhine
the kingdom of Italy and restored pride
of England humbled her power broken and barrier
interposed TO the ambition Of Russia, close league
with that great Power for an equal of the empire
of the world
The great julius fell by the daggers of domestic con-
sPrators; and his nephew Ocavus STRIPPING, unknown
to fame after sangunary struggle with the leaders OF
opposing factions with the aid Of the distractions of the
times and adrot coalition with Antony, succeeded
the power Of his lustrous uncle. The great Napoleon
fell by combination of all Europe against him and his
nephew Louis Napoleon after longer interval of chang
ing dynastes and contending factions has succeeded
his power man who seems to combine all those quail
ties Of profound dissmuation and strategy in civil
affairs with the additional advantage Of personal
age, which enabled his prototype Octavius succeed
in what first regarded desperate and hopeless
enterprise. In all history there be found many
striking condolences in the leading features incidents
and fortunes Of two great families in the circumstances
of two great political revolutions Of which changed
the condition and destiny Of ancient civilization and the
other it may be- is destined to change that of modern
Europe? The parallel fails in the persons of Nicholas
and Antony Nicholas is very different parsonage from
the Pleasureloving Antony; but still he may disdan
an alliance with the only Power that curb his ambi-
ton in the Of Europe and he may choose share
equally if he cannot win universal dominion. On the
continent of Europe there now, in truth but two
great Powers, France and Russa-or most three if
Prussia be considered Austria lies PROSTATE and
parayzed by the variety and mplacable antpathies of
the which occupy her provinces members of her
empire Prussia must be less fettered by the
jealouses of the petty soveregnties neghborhood
and the democratic spirit which may still infect her SUBJ
jects but the great German nationality including Prus
STA, may be conciated by tripartite partition The
provinces of the lower Danube and all Turkey, with
the prospect of further acquisitions in Asia may suffice
Russia. England may be intmidated, or her power
broken by revving the continental policy of the great
Napoleon.
But have not time to pursue these specuations to
all the varieties of combinations that may arise Of
state of war, their consequences.
1t may be asked why give such prominence France
in holding the issues of peace and war Is she power
full is she formidable; or win she have the auda-
city under present circumstances to disturb the peace
OF Europe / answer, that France, under favorite
chief has not only the courage commence a war; but
the power to become formidable her neghbors She
formidable not only from her thirtysiI millions Of in
habitants and her compact territory but from the gal
lant eIcitabe and gloryoyng character of her popu
iaten the French being now they have always BEEN
the most warke of Europe perhaps of the world
Twice has France in the earlier periods Of her history
rolled back the tide of conquest which threatened to
change the destiny of Europe twice has She single
handed, protected its religion and its cvihzation-once
the plains of Chalons where she and overthrow
Ata and his host Of three hundred thousand warriors
collected from the hordes of Asia q second time under
the lead of the famous Charles Marte when she checked
the victorious and conquering Of the MosleH
power in the neighborhood of Tours. Twice has she
been upon the point Of subjecting all Europe do
mnion-once under Louis the Fourteenth and again,
at period recent that it only Of yesterday
der the auspices Of the great Napoleon Twice in her
career has she succumbed and then only when O world
rose in against her. Such is France.
If Louis Napoleon has the sagacity and the ambition
which attribute to him, he viii neglect expedient
still further attach the French people his fortunes
The French have become essentially democratic in their
spirit and feeling that tendency must be coInteracted by
counter Influences that spirit strong is has get
again and again. yielded to stronger passionate love
Of national glory Under the intoxcation of that passion
twice have the French people surrendered their liberties
and there will be wanting stimulans occasions to
and keep alive that passion The pride of all true
Frenchmen was humbled the field of Waterloo That
wound her national vanity remains to be soothed or
avenged Louis Napoleon may bide his time for that he
may find some more feasible undertaking in which flesh
his maiden sword he does find among his neigh
bors he may look to another continent Africa presents
too barren field for splendid achievements. He may
even be tempted to cast his eyes upon America The
collection Of the naughty and dicatoria yielded
by Louis Philippe under which the last nsalment of
the French indemnity paid still rankes in the bosoms
Of Frenchmen. But beg pardon know how wild the
idea win be considered but think it is exravagant
to suppose that backed by ealouses and
the other Continental Powers towards the United States
Louis Napoleon perceivng the defenceless condition
extended frontier and counting his superior
force may seek TO win by seizing and laying
under contributions rich and fourishhg cities upon
the Atlantic Nay, he may be tempted still further,
and seek to indemnify France for the loss of empire in
America in the cesson of Louisiana, by attempting the
conquest Of the Pacific coast repeat that
that this may be regarded as extravagant
and irrational conjecture but wbo at this day, and after
all the wonders Of the tines will say that it is incredible
But must these speculatons upon this prolific
subject.
II may be asked to what practical conclusion design
TO apply all that have said upon this subject? In the
first place, IL upon review Of the whole ground the po-
siton have assumed, that at distant day-in SIX
months IN twelve at most In twenty MONTHS
war will be kndled in Europe upon pretext, of
character other well founded then under
take 70 predict that the United States will later
be drawn within its vortex and if this hypothesis shall
TO be supported by plausible reasons then further
practical inquiry will be, what should prcpar-
cd TO meet the exigency7
In the views had the honor submit on branch
Of this subject il viii be recoected that supposed
Of things might exist in which Europe would leave the
United States option to the question Of peace or war
state Of things which would lead TO hostile combina
ton Of oil the despotc Powers Of the Continent against
the Republic Of America. That may never happen
But should that Of opinion long predicted that
Of principle that great conflict between free and
the despotic forms Of government-should war a,
that arise in Europe, do you think Mr. President,
sound practical statesman and after your experience
observation Of this country and it's present popua