The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-20

This remarkable man has hitherto in his policy hs
tact, and energy ~ civil Affairs rod with hdehy "a ne
footsteps OF his llusiIious relative Doubtless IKE hn
he considers himself The child OF destiny born 70 carry
out all that was projected BY the great Napoleon I'M
peral power attained the boundaries OF France enlarged
10 the Rhine The Kingdom OF Italy reconstructed and
restored the PRIDE OF England humbed, or her power
broken, and barrier nteposed 10 The ambition OF Rus
STA, close league with that great power and an
equal partition of the empire OF the world
The great julius fell by the daggeIs OF domestic con-
sprators aud his nephew Octavius, STRIPPING known
10 fame after saDgunaTy struggle with the leaders OF
opposing factions, with the aid OF the distractions OF the
empire and adroll coalition with Antony succeeded
the power OF his ilustrous uncle The great Napoleon
fell by combination OF all Europe against him. and
his nephew, Louis Napoleon, after longer interval OF
changing dynases and conending factions has succeed
ed 10 his powera man who seems TO combine all those
qualities oil profound Discrimination and strategy IN civil
affairs with the additional advantage OF personal courage,
which enabled his prototype ocavns 10 succeed IN what
In all history can there be found many striking
condolences in the leading features, incidents, and for
OF two great famiesin The circumstances oil two
great political revouions-one of which changed the
condition and destiny OF ancient civilization, and the
other il may be, is destined 10 change that of modern
Europe. The parallel fails in the persons OF Nicholas
and Antony. Nicholas is very different parsonage from
the pleasure loving Antony, but still he may not dlsdan
an alliance with the only power that can curb his ambi
ton IN the west oil Europe and he may choose to share
equally-if he cannot win universal dominion On
the continent OF Europe there now in truth
bnl two great powers7France and Russia--or at
most three, II Prussia be so considered. Austria.
lies PROSTATE and parayzed by the variety and i'm
placable antipathes OF the races which occupy her
provinces or members of her empire. Prussia must be
less ettered by the jeaouses OF the petty
regnties in her neghborhood, and the democratic spirit
which may snl inject her subjects; but the great Ger
man nationality, including Prussia. may be concila.
ted by tnpariee- partition The provinces OF the
lower Danube, and all Turkey, with her prospect OF
further acquisitions in ASIA may suffice Russia England
may be inlimdated or her power broken, by The re.
establishment OF The continental policy OF the great
Napoleon.
But have not time TO pursue these speculatons as to
all the varieties OF combinations that
state Of war, their consequences.
II may be asked why give such prominence to France
In holding the Issues OF peace and Is she power
full Is she formidable or will she have the auda-
city, under present crcum disturb the peace of
Europe answer, that France, united under favo-
rite chief would not only have the courage TO commence
war; but the power TO become formidable 10 her neghbors
She is formidable not only from her lhrtysix millions OF
inhabitants, and her compact territory, but from the
gallant excable, and glory-oving character of her
population the French being now, as they have always
been, The most warike of Europe perhaps of the
world. Twice has France, in certain periods OF her his
tory rolled back the tide OF conquest which threatened
TO change the destiny of Europe twice has she, single
handed, protected It's religion and lis civilization Once
on the plains OF Chalons where she met Atta, and
his host OF three hundred thousand warriors collect
ed from the hodes Asia second time under the lead of
the famous Charles Mafle when she checked the vic
torious and conqueng OF the Moslem power the
neghboThood OF Tours. Twice has she been upon the
point of subjecng all Europe TO Der dominion. Once
under Louis the Fourteenth and again, al period
recent that only OF yesterday under the auspices
OF the grea, Napoleon. Twice in her career has she
succumbed, and then only when a world rose IN arms
against her. Such is France!
Ii Louis Napoleon has the sagacty and the ambition
which attribute TO him, he will neglect no expsdent 10
attach the French people to his fortunes The
French have become essentially democratic in their
spirit and feeling that tendency must be counteracted by
counter influences that spirit strong il is, has yet,
OF national glory Under the ntoxicaton OF that passion
twice have the French people surrendered their liberties
and there will not be wanting preexs OF occasions TO
and keep active that passion. The pride OF all
true Frenchmen humbled on the field OF Waterloo
That wound 10 her national vanity remains to be soohed
or avenged Louis Napoleon may bide his time Tor that
he may find some feasible undertaking in which TO
flesh his maiden sword Ii he does not find II among
his neghbors. be may look TO another continent Arsa
may even be tempted 10 cast his eyes upon America The
recollection OF the naughty and dicatora menace yielded
TO by LOUIS Philippe under which the last insialment OF
the French indemnify was paid still ankles in the bosoms
oil Frenchmen; but beg pardon. ! know how wild the
idea will be considered but think il is not exravagant
to suppose that, backed by eaousies and
OF the other continental powers towards the United
States, Louis Napoleon, peceyng the defenceless con-
don OF our extended ocean frontier and counting
his superior naval force may seek 10 win renown by
sezing and laying under contributions our rich and
fourlshing cities upon the Atlantic coas--nay he may
be tempted still further and seek 10 indemnify France Tor
the loss oil empire IN America, IN The cesslon oil Louisl
ana, BY attempting the permanent conquest OF the Pacific
coast repeat that that this may be regarded
as an exraysgant and Irrational CONJECTURE but who, al
this day, and alter all the wonders the times, will
that IL is incredible But must these speculatons
upon this prolific subject
may De 10
apply all that have said upon this subjecl In the first
place, if upon review oil The whole ground the position
have assumed that at distant, dayin six months, in
twelve, at most in twenty-four months-a general
war will be kinded in Europe upon some prctex or
OF some character other, be well founded, then un.
deriake TO predict that the United States evil
later be drawn within its vortex and, II this hypothesis
shall seem 10 be supported by plausible reasons, then
further practical inquiry will be, what should we do TO
be prepared TO meet the exgency'
In the views had the honor TO submit on the FIRST
branch OF this subject, II will be recoeced that sup
posed state OF thing int exist in Europe which would
leave the United States no option as TO the ques.
ton OF peace state of things, which would lead
to hostile combination of all the despotc powers OF the
Continent against the republic of America. That may
predicted that OF principle that great conflict be.
tween the free and the despouc forms OF government
should such war as that arise in Europe, do you think
Mr. President as sound practical statesman, and after
your experience-your observation OF this coun.
try, and lis present popuation-do you suppose
that IL such a conflict SHOULD arise in Europe-a
conflict which would involve the settlement OF principles
which may have universal ascendency for centuries
that should be uDmpessble, so indifferent, that
could not be drawn into IL despite ali calculations
OF policy or OF INTEREST," Do you conceive, sir, with
your knowledge OF the heart of this country this day
that cold and sordd calculation OF mercantile profit
that the devotion to mammon, or any more auaabe
service, would be faithful and intense TO restrain
even those reckless passions and emotions which belong
10 nation, say nothing of freezing up all generous
and noble impulses, which would mpel us to enlist on
the side oil freedom in such strfe No; the lime has
never BEEN when, IN any one country in Chrstendom,
mind meets mind IN fierce conflict upon principles which
touches nearly the social feelings and interests of