Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-02-18

State Convention in this city.
vWe have already published extracts from
the English papers, showing the foundations
for the rumors in regard to the projected inva-
sion of England by the French usurper. Many
are of opinion that this is false alarm, but we
.are strongly inclined to concur with those who
hink that Louis Napoleon really meditates this
momentous design, and that he will attempt to
put it into execution. 1t is true that he has
given the most emphatic assurances to all the
Cabinets of Europe of his wish and intention to
cultivate the most pacific relations with them,
but the whole history of the man has demon
strated most conclusively that no confidence
whatever can be safely reposed in his most So
lemn pledges, and that perfdy is the ground
work of his character. To parody his uncle APP
pears to be the grand object of the hero of
Strasburg and Boulogne. Ever since his eleva-
ton to the Presidency, his aim has manifestly
been to captivate the imagination of his coun-
try1nen, by resuscitating recollections of the
Empire-that splendid tradition so dear to the
hearts of the French people. To accomplish
this object, he will shrink from political or
moral responsibility, however tremendous, and
if by plunging France into war with England,
he can strengthen the foundations of his i'll
gotten power, no man who has attentlvely
watched his career can hesitate for Il moment
to believe that he will do so. By his coup d
etqt ofthe I'd of December, he has already sue
eessfuy initiated the 18th Brumaire, and if he
can now succeed in a design which baffled the
great Corsican in the pentitude Of his power,
his countrymen will see in him a successor
worthy of the great Emperor, and bow their
necks in willing servitude beneath his yoke.
An able correspondent of the London Times
thinks it quite probable that Louis Napoleon
will attempt the invasion of England. We
quote an extract from his communication
Louis Napoleon and holds despotic power by
the army The corp d'etat was as much prptorian
5 when Julian bought the empire OF Rome at
public auction and raised on the shields OF the
lesions who sold it him. Louis Napoleons election
sham-his Constitution is a farce he reigns
so long the army pleases and not one instant Ion
ger. His uncle was the army's nastcr-he Is the ar
my's slave. He bought it with money, he holds it by
bribes and he can only continue to retain it by paer
ing its wants. its instincts, and its passions. Those
wants promotion-those passions are war.
Each day augments his insulation and he withdraws
more and more within the narrowing circle of despe
rate eatouuge The servile who saaam to him 'ad
here his fortunes but their He knows that
and while he he dstrusts them. Those who give
the society reeede and the dread Of spy and
the gendarme closes even the saloons Legitimate sen
tment and Republican principle seek the covert OF the
strctest privacy and the suspension OF ordinary
intercourse tells Enthusiastically trade. The nation
crouches beneath the SABRE and the gaggng othe press
completes its slavery because it insures its ignorance
The air is thick with delation, each man shuns his
neghbor and the stiffness OF suspicion and OF terror Is
appalling 1t is like that suffocating atmosphere which
precedes in the tropics the fury OF the hurricane War
has its perls for such Government but peace is more
perlous still
The bait the army the sop the people, would be
the frontier of the Rhine and Louis Napoleon has init
mated more than that that is portion of his mis-
sion Next to the Rhine the most hatterlng bride to
military vanity would be the humiliation of pertidious
Albion. Vengeance, ambition, safety and cupldity
would be all satisfied by that.
Despotsm and Constitutional Government are face
to face The outworks OF Parliamentary system were
in Republican France. We would not see that. They
have been stormed the preaching battery now point
ed against
The resources of France are welded Internationally
by one man. His will is aw-his resolves secret
his operations hidden by the silence of the
his duplicity is consummate-hs peridy Is mstory-s
patience of contrvance vast-hs audacity OF execution
infinite His ports and arsenas in efficient keeping
his navy is the best appointed France has ever had
his army the finest in the woodland the that sep
all from is abridged it is not bridged by
steam Sraws in the air show the currents in it. Or
ders have been Brest and Touon quicken the
of vessels soldiers on turough are command
ed to reoin their instantly and the orSanza-
ton of their hospitals clothing and provisions has been
placed the footing In Belgium the Jesults are
plotting and preaching annexation to France Their
journals, edited by Frenchmen displaying an eron-
terry of treason paraleed only by that OF the COnsttu
tioae and P1e before the coup dea and priests and
accotes chanting in full choir the old Caudian hta-
ny of despotsm:
"Nonquam hbertas CRATER exstat
GUAM sub rege pio.'