Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-02-14
FRANCE AND ENGLAND.

FRANCE AND ENGLAND.
The important intelligence brought by the
steamship Pacific, at New York, ofthe determi-
nation of Louis Napoleon to invade England, will
create profound sensation throughout the coun-
try.
The Pacific left Liverpool on the 28th ult.
When she sailed aswe learn through the medium
OF the wires, report was current, to the effect,
that the British Government had received intel
ligence of the intention of Louis Napoleon to
undertake the invasion of England. This in
formation had created a profound sensation
amongst all classes in London, and Government
had taken active steps to meet the emergency.
Thirty thousand stand of arms had been ordered
from Birmingham; an army of 25, 90 0 troops had
and directed to concentrate upon London, and
the British fleet in the Tagus had been recalled
The magnitude of these preparations leave us
no room for doubt A crisis is at hand, and Old
England is preparing to meet it, with all her
resources, vast and unequaled as they fortunately
are.
1t has been the impression of the leading
journalists of London, for some time past, that
Louis Napoleon would be forced to seek some
new source of excitement for the army, and
some new topic of discussion for the thousands
and tens of thousand of idlers in Paris. Eng
glish statesmen have therefore, naturally asked
the question, "Through what channel can the
Usurper best divert popular passion and popu-
lar prejudice, so as to secure safety for himself,
and at the same time, to absorb the feelings of
Impotence and discomfort which now animate
| the masses in France 2" A Foreign war is his
only recourse; and a war with England seems
likely to be more popular than any other in
| which he could engage. Knowing the charac-
ter of Louis Napoleon-knowing, as they do.
that he possesses not single moral restraint,
British statesmen pay little or no regard to his
professions of an earnest desire to cultivate
peace. The public journals, of all shades Of
political opinions, have urged the imminence Of
the crisis, and warned the Ministry and the pub
lic against putting .:trust in the promises of the
Usurper." The subject of the national de-
fences has been very generally discussed, in con-
nexion with the posture of affairs in France; and
the public mind of England is deeply excited.
ssUnhappily (says London letter, under date
Jan. 23d) this state of things is taken advantage
of by all the old naval and military men to ex-
cite a rage for an increased expenditure, and an
imitation of former follies. But that is not
what was intended although if the people suffer
themselves to be deluded, it may easily be
brought about. What is really urged is that our
existing ornaments should be economical and
made effective, and that instead of vessels of
war being kept for young officers to enjoy them
selves in upon the Tagus or the Mediterranean,
they should all be drawn to the point where
they are likely to be wanted, and where their
object would be to defend and not to provoke"
The writer of this letter, with almost prophet
ic forecaste draws the following picture of COM
ing events:
1.-THE necessity that the desire forpeace which
is and has long been an absolute characteristic
OF our population as compared with the general
populations OF the world, should not be overrid-
den at this crisis, becomes more apparent every
day. With the continuance of peace Louis
Napoleon's power may possibly crumble with a
rapidity such as has never yet been known in
the history of usurpations. A war might con-
solidate it for years At present it is the policy
of the Government organs at Paris to laugh at
our distrust, just their master laughed at those
who supposed that there was any danger of
coup d'etat, or that he would be, as he said,
such an 'sincendiary'' as to commit any act
against the constitution. Subsequently they
will cry, See how our pacific protestations are
treated. In the face of them England continues
her ornaments The honor of France must be
asserted"