Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-19
our RELATIONS WITH FRANCE.

lnour and thinks he is elected.
-<sSs>--
OUR RELATIONS WITH FRANCE.
We publish, this morning, the dispatch re-
ceived by the New York Herald, announcing
that the French Emperor has withdrawn the
edict forbidding Mr.. Soule to pass through
France. 1t appears from the statement of the
Hrald's correspondent as well as from infor-
nation received through other sourcet that
Mr.. Mason, our minister to France, actedwith
Judgment, energy, and irmness. The manner
in which he performed the duties that were
thrown upon him SO suddenly and SO unexpec-
teddy, must not only afford pleasure to his wide
circle Of personal friends, but be most grateful
to the sensibilities of every American citizen
at home or abroad.
The edict excluding Mr.. Soule from France,
does not lose its interest because it has been
recalled. The possibility of an unfriendly cor
respondence with regard to it cannot be longer
apprehended, but still the fact remains that
such an edict was issued and the motives
which dictated it also remain, and are matters
of concern to our country. We have never
doubted that Louis Napoleon would promptly
disclaim any intention to afront the United
States, and would Justify his action by allega-
tons against Mr.. Soule's conduct as an indi-
vidual. But we have felt confident, at the
same time, that hostility to the United States,
and adesire to thwart our policy by an appa-
rent indignity which would lower US in the
estimation of European cabinets, had consider
able influence in producing the stoppage of
Mr.. Soule on the frontier of France.
This view of the case dictated portion OF
our remarks yesterday, and induces us to men
lion now that the Noniteur, which is the organ
of Louis Napoleon, after announcing that it
would not issue a number on the first day of
this month--that being holiday-reconsid-
cred the matter, and did issue a number on
that day for the purpose of republishing the
article from the London Times, which we laid
before our readers some days ago. This cir
cumstance was equivalent to a declaration that
Louis Napoleon adopted the position Of the
London Times, or that he regarded the article
in that journal as proof that the British cabi
net would promptly sustain him. In either as
pect the subject is not unworthy of considera-
ton. But it seems that the British cabinet
did not approve of the course pursued by the
French Emperor, and its disapproval was
doubtless dictated by considerations of policy
in the present aspect of affairs, and not by any
friendly feeling towards the United States.
The article from the Paris Constitutional,
which we present in another column, is sup
posed TO have been written by, or at the dicta
ton Of, the French Emperor. At all events,
such an article could not have appeared in a
Partisan journal without the sanction Of the
Imperial Government. 1t is worthy Of atten-
ton, therefore; and when it is attentively
scanned, il cannot fail to produce the convic
ton that its author was unfriendly to the Uni
ted States. 1t is cunningly contrived, SO as to
tell the people Of France that they have causes
Of complaint against the United States, with
out arousing the apprehensions Of that portion
Of the French people which is friendly to MS.
In the first place, reasons are given why the
United States should not be unfriendly TO the
French Government. Indeed, the attempt is
made to show that it is almost obligatory on
the United States TO cherish the warmest SEN
timents Of esteem toward the French Emperor
rs well as toward France. This was intended
10 allsy the suspicion Of the French Republi-
cans. 1t constitutes the sugar-coating TO the
pill The pill itself consists Of the intimation
that, notwithstanding all the reasons which had
been enumerated, the United States was so
wicked and perverse as to be inimical to
France. The arrest Of the French Consul at
San Francisco for violating the laws Of the
United States, the Soule duel, and the Red Re-
publican boat procession at New York during
the visit Of the French feet to that port, are
alluded TO in order to strengthen the intimation
Of hostile feeling in the United States---an
intimation which was intended to create hos
tile feeling against the United States in the
breasts of the people Of France.
We have no mean opinion of the ability of
Louis Napoleon but we have doubts whether
he can succeed in convincing the people Of
France that the Americans are unfriendly to
them, or can induce the French people TO dis
card the sentiments Of friendly regard which
they have cherished so long toward the United
States. There is great difference between
France and the Government Of France. The
two are not in unison with each other for Louis
Napoleon was made Emperor by force Of
arms--by the coup d'etat Of the second Of De.
cember--and not by the election which was
subsequently held under circumstances which
did not admit freedom Of choosing Louis
Napoleon may consolidate his authority by
milking his government harmonic with the
sentiments Of the French people but the mani
festation Of open hostility towards the United
States would not aid 10 producing that result II
would exert a contrary effect, and that too with
force which would shake the throne of the
French Emperor. He may thwart our policy
Wy inlrigues and check our progress by diplo.
matte distractions; but the time h., not yet ar.