The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-07-15
Rich ND. VAT
Thursday N1srning, July Is, 1852.
LOUIS NAPOLEON.


Thursday Morning, July IS. 1852.
LOUIS NAPOLEON.
Persons who seem not to have considered
The circumstances under which this individual
was raised to supreme power in France, believe
that they see ia the checks which he has re-
ceived Of late from the legislative body, the
beginning Of the end-the downfall of his pow
er. A little reflection will, we think, convince
the most sanguiDc that such anticipations are
altogether unwananted.
Louis Napoleon owes his present good for
tune to his name-to that enthusiastic rever-
ence entertained by nine-tenths Of the French
nation for the memory of the great Napoleon.
He is emphatically the ruler of their choice
the representative of that dynasty established
by their own votes, and therefore, above all
others, the dynasty Of the people. Twice was
the question submitted to the nation, whether
they wished the great Napoleon to reign over
them, and twice they decided in the affirmative
by vote approaching nearer to unaniinity than
any other which had at that day been taken on
so grand scale. Frustrated by the arms and
arts of the combined despots of Europe, the
hearts Of France followed the great captive to
st. Helena. The dynasty of the Bourbons,
of both brar ches, was the very antipode Of the
Napoleon dynasty, and of course il never could
command the sympathies ofthe French people.
They only waited for the hour and the man,
and they had no sooner arrived than they prov
ed to the world that how much so ever circum-
stances had altered. they had never changed.
The elevation of Louis Napoleon is one of
the most wonderful incidents in history. Buta
few months before, he had been a special con-
stable in London. He was looked upon by the
whole world as silly coxcomb, whose life had
been distinguished by two ridiculous failures,
and by nothing else. Recalled TO France,
which he hadSleft in childhood, by the decree
which restored his family, he was not regarded
as man from whom the self-styled Repu5li-
cans had any Thing to fear. He had distin-
guished himself by no great action in the field,
as the first Napoleon had done he had never
manifested any ability as On orator, q diploma
fist or statesman. He had never had an oppor-
tunity even to play the demagogue. All his
antecedents, indeed, were against his aspjra
tons, if he had any. Yet, upon the very first
election for the Chief Magistracy, in opposition
to one Of the greatest military chieftains ofa
nation supposed above all others, to be acces
sible to the eeiat Of a military reputation, he
was elected by popular vote of 7,000,0 00!-
The popular alteration of Napoleon carried
every thing before it.
Ii was easy to foresee that such an idol of the
people could do whatever he might think pro-
per, withou, mourning the slightest danger, and
that il France still remained republic in fact.
rs well as in name, she would be indebted more
to his forbearance than to his want OF ability
to change her political designation. We have
had no evidence since, that his popularity has
waDed. On tine contrary, every thing seems to
prove that it is rather gaining strength than
otherwise. He did not hesitate, when it suit
ed his purpose, to seize the reins OF govern
ment into his own hands, and to signalize the
occasion by the summary disposition according
to his own pleasure, of all men, without regard
to standing, popularity, or public services,
who stood between him and his sovereign will
So far from disappearing of those proceedings,
the people not only ratified them, but increased
his term Of peaer.
The result of the dispute between him and
the legislative body, turns upon single ques-
tion, which is the more popular with the body
ofthe nationl Wepresume there can hardly be
doub. about that. Upon the same ground the
dispute between him and the Bourbon branch.
es may be tried. Here again there exists not
adoubt We see then, no end TO the reign of
the Eonaparte dynasty. 1t is sestled as firmly
as that Of the Guelfs in England, or of the Ro-
manzoffsin Russia. The French people will
II, and they will Be dbeyed. 1fthey like des-
potism under fte Bonapartes, better than a
Repubisc, Or a limited monarchy under Pre-
ssseat or Bourbon, why, their taste may be
bad, but we see not that any one has right
toquarel with them for it. They regard this
dynasty as their dynasty, created by them
selves, ON account of services rendered by the
first Of its members to themselves. If they do
not choose tcregard the Republic in that light,
1t is no business of asy one. If their choice
be bad, they are the persons to suffer from it,
If they have taken their own affairs into their
own hands, it is entirely their own concern.
JOHN VAN buren, AND Mp. WILLIS
The first of these gentlemen was retained as
counsel for Forrest, in the action of assault,
and battery brought against him by Mr.. Viii
lis. Ia the course of the trial, he employed
very harsh language with regard TO Mr.. W..
who sent him note recapitulating the offensive
incidents and demanding a recantation. In a
postscript, he tells Mr.. Van Buren, that he i.
about to go to the South for his health. 10 M