The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-13

to express the sentiments Of both the French
and English governments. 1t is believed that
the French Emperor win not recede an inch
from the position he has taken, and the
public mind in England is consequently alarm
ed at the prospect of the additional political
endorsements to which his determination
may lead.
1t will be asked what are the possible motives
that could have led to 80 harsh and unusual
proceeding-one, too, which involves delibe-
rate affront to our national dignity. One Of our
Paris correspondents, it will be seen, suggests
certain rumors floating in diplomatic circles,
concerning the alleged renewal Of N. Soule's
ancient political iaisons in France, which
may have some foundation in fact, as being
the excuse that will probably be offered for 1t.
Mr.. SoulG's friends affirm that his conduct while
in that country has been free from any dis
play of his political leanings, to which the 60
vernment could take exception. He has, on the
contrary, they say, been exceedingly careful aud
circumspect, scrupulously avoiding everything
that could be construed by the authorities into
an offence-a caution the more imperative as
he knew that he was never for an instant free
from the surveillance Of the secret police. He
has, it is said, challenged the French govern
ment to produce the slightest evidence to show
that any thing that he has either said or done
in connection with French politics. since his
return to Europe, affords justification for the
conduct it has pursued towards him.
In the absence of any counter-statemen on
the part Of the French government, it is OF
course difficult to surmise the grounds on which
the envoy OF a country with which it is in ami
cable relations. In the case of more discreet
and cautious man than Mr.. Soule, we should be
guided to some conclusion by the statements that
have reached us We should ct once be disposed
toconstrue il into an intention of Offering deli
berate and gratuitous insult to the people of
this country. There are certain well known
facts that lead 10 this inference. 1t is
notorious that the Emperor and the intimases
by whom he is surrounded entertain cordial
dislike to our government. The Dillon affair
ct San Francisco annoyed them greatly, and the
Congress at Ostend has in all probability aug
mented the hostile feelings to which that matter
gave rise. The Empress Spanish woman
with the warm and vindictive blood sfa Castilian,
has probably no small share in contributing to
them. Notwithstanding all this, Louis Napo-
leon breads taking upon himself the response
bility Of commencing war with US, lest he
should rouse the republican element against
him in France. He, perhaps, fancies that if he
can provoke us into striking the first blow, the
amour 3asDpre of the French will carry him
through.
The affair as it stands, It must be admitted, is
very tieklish one, and il assumes additional
Importance from the fact that our ministers at
London and Paris have endorsed Mr.. Soule's
conduct We do not apprehend, however, that
anything very alarming will come Of it in the
end. The casinet ct Washington is but too
glad to find puetext for abandoning its agents
to the consequences Of their own indiscretions
1t will unscrupulously sacrifice Mr.. Souls, as it
sacrificed Captain Rollins, provided the French
government is disposed to offer any plausible
defence Of it's conduct towards him. This French
difdculty is one of the inevitable results of the
total absence Of principle and discretion which
has characterized almost all the diplomatic
appointments Of the present administration
They have nominated the worst possible men
to the most difficult missions, and, as we long
since foret0ld, nothing but embarrassment and
modification have resulted from the choice
To cover the consequences Of their errors, they
will be compelled to sacrifice the honor and
dignity Of the country, by tamely submitting to
every outrage which the conduct of their agents
may provoke In the meantime, Mr.. Souls has
obtained another opportunity Of gratifying his
passion for notsriety. at the expense Of the in
terests that have been entrusted to his charge.
The OPENING OF JAPAS.-The port of Salem