The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-07
Louis NnpolcOn,s Marriage.

Louis NnpOlcOnss Marriage.
The marriage Of Louis Napoleon, of which
we have intelligence by the last arrival from
England, has produced excitement Of no ordi-
nary kind, not only in France, but among the
courts and statesmen Of all Europe. This step
is quite in keeping with his character. BY his
coup d'etat, the President Of the Republic as
founded the world. The success in which it
has resulted has amazed mankind still more.
The marriage of the Emperor with Nile Monte
60 is another coup-o coup dc grace-which
takes everybody by surprise.
1t had been supposed that Louis Napoleon
was wife-hunting among the royal families OF
the continent of Europe. and that he was seek
ing an alliance with its dynasties in order to
strengthen and fortify his position against future
exigences. But he had better and holder
game than that to play. All his success hitherto
had sprung from the popular feeling in his favor.
Whatever an alliance with any royal blood in
Europe might have done to diminish his popula-
rity in France, it certainly could not have added
to it. We have been told that his offer in marriage
was refused by royalty but we do not believe
word of it. He could have had hand with
out heart in more than one European court.
Princesses and duchesses ould have gladly
seized the chance. But, like philosopher and
a man of the world, he estimated royal blood at
it's true value. His uncle, plebeian, was
greater than all the kings and emperors of his
day, and outstripped them. even in the magnif-
cence of his court. The nephew. also descend
ed of plebeian blood, believes that at this mo-
ment he holds higher position than that Of any
autocrat emperor, king or queen Of any of the
nations of Europe. There is not one of them
could be elected tomorrow as he was-by the
people-by majority so overwhelming as to
amount almost to unanimity. Intermarriage,
therefore, with their families could add as little
to his dignity as it could to his power He con-
cluded, that by marriage of affection he would
better consult his own domestic happiness
than to have princess transferred to him
according to royal fashion by her father or the
government of the country, as if she were a
slave or so much merchandise. 1t often happens
that kings and emperors never see their brides
till after the bargain and sale is mplcted Lons
Napoleon is. probably, of opinion that the
democratic blood of the spouse he selected is
purcr and healthier than any royal blood in
Europe.
He has given deep offence to his ministers,
whom, it appears, he never consulted, but only
announced to them the fact after he had made up
his mind. He has scandalised all the courts in
Europe by breaking through their conventional
usages, sanctifed by centuries of prescription
Perhaps he has also alarmed them, for the act
is significant ofhis independence and his deter
mination to build up and perpe tuate the Napo-
Icon dynasty on his own hook, and without any
external aid whatever. Possibly this shocking
violation Of regal and imperial etiquette may
suggest to crowned heads the probability of
q the nephew of his uncle'' making war, too
upon his own hook Those frigates ordered
from the great shipbuilder in the Clyde, look
very suspicious, and what inflames the suspi-
cion is the interference of the British govern
ment to prevent the fulilmcnt of the order, or,
rather. getting IL done for themselves. The
French emperor, however, need not be under
any embarrassment at this contre tennis. He
can get plenty of frigates built in New York
better and faster than were ever put together
in the Clyde; and we have no doubt that George
Law would take contract for three hundred
of them, to be delivered ready for action before
the year 1854, with Paixhan guns and NUM-
tons of war; lie has also on hand large
quantity Of muskets which Louis Kossuth did
not purchase, and which we have no doubt
would be placed at the service of Louis Napo-
Icon for q consideration, if his own armories
cannot manufacture sufficiently fast.
On the whole, we think the French emperor
has done the very best thing in marrying this
Irish OF Scotch American Spanish lady. She
is one Of the people, like Josephine his
grandmother, the widow of General Beau
harnois, and first wife of Napoleon the First.
The marriage will exalt him in the eyes of the
nation. Josephine, who was creole from the
island Of Martinique, was eminently popular
with the French nation, who date all Napoleon's
misfortunes from his cruel divorce of her, in or
der to form an alliance with the Austrian prin-
cess Maria Louisa and certain 1t Is, that from