Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-03-30
THE AIMING OF EUROPE.

deeply settled apprehension pervades the Con.
tnent, from Belgium 10 Vienna, that general
war is impending. Even Portugal, isolated
from the active circle of continental politics,
and scarcely taken into the estimate of the lar
gest designs of the greatest powers, is actively
arming for the anticipated exigencies of gen.
eral CONFUSION. But it is remarkable, that in
all these warlike preparations, we detect no
symptoms of struggle between the European
liberals and the despots-no signs Of impend-
ing barbados and popular outbreaks. The ru-
lers of the continent appear to feel secure in
their subjects, but all of them are, perhaps, sus
picious Of the restless French army, and the
imperial proceedings of Louis Napoleon.
In the British Parliament the movement Of
Lord John Russell for the organization OF the
militia, betrays with unmistakeable distinctness,
the secret of the alarm in that quarter The
British Cabinet place no reliance in the pacific
professions of the French President. The very
declarations of his peaceful disposition, seem
to be regarded, on the other hand, as an addi-
tional cause of distrust. If it be the design of
Louis Napoleon to make an attempt upon Eng
land, it is, of course, his policy to keep his own
counsels, and to deceive the enemy by every
stratagem calculated to quiet his suspicious and
lul him into security. Acting upon this con-
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necessity Of internal defence against the posi-
bililies of external conspiracies. Whatever the
danger or the security of England may be
against invasion, the movement of the Premier
will no doubt strengthen the existing ministry
and give it basis Of popularity which Russell
has not heretofore enjoyed, and the want Of
which has seriously embarrassed his administra-
tive policy. But, lying deeper than mere con-
sideratlons of local popularity, is the manifest
apprehension of national danger from the mys-
terious movements of Louis Napoleon, and from
the very general belief that employment and
glory to the French army will soon become in
dispensabe to the French dictator. The Eng
lsh cabinet seem to entertain the suspicion also,
that war against England upon any preteXt,
would, more than any other stroke Of policy,
contribute to consolidate the government and
power of Louis Napoleon among the French
people. Such appear to be the causes of the
war panic in England. They are vague and
intangible, but not without some show Of con-
sistency and wise discretion.
A late letter from the Paris correspondent of
the London TimeS-whch we re-publish in our
columns this neutrality-suspicious. on the other
hand new and very significant cause of per-
plexity to the President Of France The En-
peror Nicholas, has thought proper to adj
mon:sh " the nephew of his uncle" that he is
going ahead little too fast; and that in revi-
wing the national symbols of the Empire, he is
treading upon national ground. Nicholas is
dictator upon the COMMENSURATE must be un-
derstood. The symbols of the Empire may
require the subjugating campaigns of the EN-
pire-the absorption of Belgium, the reduction
of the Rhenish provinces, the annexation of q
portion of them, the occupation of Italy, and
the provocaton to a general war, which may en-
danger the safety of the frontier dominons OF
the Car himself, and destroy the equilibrium
Of power on the Continent of which, since the
revolution Of lS48, he has been the arbiter. He
also gives Louis Napoleon to understand that
he is regarded rs Il mere locum tenenS among
the rulers of Europe-that he is not legiti-
innate among them, and is only to be tolerated
as temporary necessity. The same objection
to the great Emperor brought him finally down
and Russia was potent instrument i'll the
} work.
TO this audacious advice of the Car, Loui:
! Napoleon is reported as having replied with the
humility becoming neophyte among the des.
pots. His adoption Of the symbols of the EN-
pire is Il matter of the most perfect innocence
1t is not done to re-establish the Empire, to dis
pute the control of European affairs with Mich
oas, nor for the re-establishment of dynasty
heretofore rejected by the Legitimate powers
nor for the disturbance of the peace of Europe
not at ALL 1t is simply for the tranquility OF
France. The imperial emblems of his uncle
have alone the power of quoting the tradition
al aspirations of the French people. They are
, only intended for misunderstanding more
This ought to be satisfactory to the autocrat
} But his letter of advice was written before he
/ could have received any information of the con
tscation Of the Orleans property. How far tina
act may appease the imperious Nicholas, has
yet to be ascertained. The correspondence, a:
detailed by the letter to tho Times, certainly
does not promise an alliance between Franc,
J and Russia to humble Great Britain. 1t is tn,
r reverse. Assuming the letter to be essentially
true-and we have no reason to doubt 1.-THE
probabilities of war between France and Eng
: land are overshadowed by the groundwork fo
a rupture between France on the one side, ant
Russia and Austria on the other. The emphatic
tone of the diplomatic note from ST. Petersburg
will warrant the conclusion that the Emperor il
r not in the vein for admitting any such thing a
, the absorption of Belgium, or the full length
boundary of the Rhine, by temporary substi
tute as the ruler of France, in the place of
Bourbon. The effect of this news in Enganc
had not transpired on the sailing of the Frank
lin. 1t was, doubtless, received with satisfac
; ton, and may possibly lead to important diplo
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