Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-02-18
NUMIBERl48
THE INT EL,.LI.ILl.G.El]NlI7C(ER i .Il M
From the London Economist i@'.s ssrs O.
The French Emperor.--His Character. In
a. tentions, and Necessities

Now that Louis Napoleon is fairly seated on the
throne TO whichhe has aspired through SO many
years OF disappointment, exile, Imprisonment and
intrigue 1t becomes matter of the deepest inter-
est and the most vital moment 10 English states
men and English citizens thoroughly to understand
tne character, wishes and intentions of the
man who thus wields without control the enor--
nous military power of therBeaTeSt neighbor-to
penetrate as far possible, the designs which he
may entertain, the ulterior career which he pro-
poses to himself and those necessities fhis posi
ton which may drive himto courses which of his
own Tree will he never would have adopted. These
are difficult problems for solution; on this subject
us on most others, accurate knowledge is not easy
OF attainment in France; "Truth, as Barrow saws:
"cannot be dscerned amid the, smoke of wrath
tul expressions; and the passions of those nearest
the scene of action, and, therefore, most favoraby
placed Tor observation still so violent and an
cry that their statements and opinions are rather
misleading than informing. Nevertheless, having
had opportunities of ascertalning the sentiments
oi most parties in France respecting the new En-
peror, and having, it is fair to state, conversed
with hve oi his enemies for of his friends, we
Shall endeavor to lay before our readers what in
our judgement is the real state OF the case.
In the first place. it is quite certain, and is now
beginning to he admitted even by his bitterest en-
emieS, that Louis Napoleon is not the foolish inn
oeclle 1t was so long the fashion 10 consider him.
Those who aided in recalling TO France and ee-
waiting him 10 the Presidency under the impression
That one SO silly and borne would be rendered pill
ant tool in their hands, soon found they reckoned
without their host. Hismind, it is true, is rether
capaciouS, powerful, well stored; but his NOR
al qualities are oil most rare and Serviceable kind
his talents are ordinary but his perseverance, te
nacity, power of dissmulation, and in flexbEty of
will, are extraordinary. He is memorable and
most instructive example that great achievements
are within the reach Of very moderate intellect,
when the intellect IS concentrated upon single
object and linked with undauntei and unbending
resolution. Moreover, his mental endowmenls,
though neither varied comprehensive, are very
vigorous. de IS naturally Shrewd secret, and i'm
penetrable. He has the invaluable faculty of Sc
cresy. He has, too, been a patient and wide OBJ
server He has studied politics in Switzerland, in
America, and in England. He has devoted his
mind TO that one object. He is, TOO, deep think
er He ponders much, which few Frenchm, n do.
His six years captivity in Ham matured and
strengthened, by silent meditation, whatever natu-
raj capacities he may have possessed. He writes
and speaks well; and all his writings and speeches
even W here they betIay the narrow limits OF his
knowledge, indicate eminently thoughtful mind
He has br0oued over the history, politics, and So
cial conditions Of France, I'LL on these su biects he
is probably one of the best informed in the
Country though, like most OF his coutrymen, we'd
ded to many absurd and impracticable c1otchets
which better knowledge of political economy
would explode.
1t certain, also that whatever he does and says
is his own. He acts and speaks for himself with
out interference and without assistance. He lis
tens to every one, asks advice from no one, gives
his interocutorS no idea whether or not their argu
lnents have made the least impression upon him,
but Ievolves his plans III the gloomy receSses OF
his own brain, and brings them forth Inatured, ho-
mogeneou:, and unexpected. The mlnuteSt de-
tails otthe coup d'etdt were arranged by himself
All those, from Changarnier and Thiers down 10
FaucheE, who have. .endeavored to lead, drive. or
govern him, have ali been baffed, outwitteds and
cast aside. When he at the table OF Bor-
LeauX 10 make his recent celebrated speech he OBJ
serv> 10 his Minister of Foreign fairs who sat
next him: "Now, i am going 10 aStoniSh you not
hen hI1 Tic IOt1 nG
visiting ADD ell -kader at Amboi>e, General ST.
Arnaud expressed his hope that Louis Napoleon
would not think of liberating him, made long
speech expositury of all tue evils that would result
from such piece oi Quixotic generosity, and quit
ted the President quite satisfied that he had sue
ceeded in baniShing any such scheme from his
thoughts. Nor it till he heard Louis Napo-
leon announcing 10 his captive his approaching
freedom that he was aware how much good a1gu-
ment he had thrown away Whatever, therefore,
Of sagacity wisdom is displayed in the language
OF conduct OF the new Emperor must be credit ed
10 himself alone. ...-,.. .-.-... -.
- TO BE CONTINUED.