The true Democrat., 1854-06-13
(HF Says the Washington Union:

We are permitted to make the following ex- tract from letter brought by the last steamer from a distinguished European statesman to his friend in this country. Every reliance may be placed in the statements and views which he expresses. We concur fully in his belief that Louis Napoleon is likely to have abundant employment m sustaining the high reputation winch France enjoys for prowess in the field and for the repression of uprisings at home against his rule. We are not sure that he is not quite as much of a madman as he was re- garded by the whole civilized world, when a chilly October morning of 1886 found him be- fore the barracks of the 4th artillery in Stras- burg, dressedin mock uniform of the Emperor apoleon-bearing his will in one hand and his sword of Austerlltz in the other-prepared as he said, to drive the barbarian from Paris if he medltates an espousal of the quarrel of Spain in any difficulty which this country may have with her in relaton to Cuba. The throne of France has ever stood upon too precarious basement to admit of its engaging in hostilities in quarrel, not its own, with this republc.- The entente cordsale with Great Britain will be as weak as rope of sand if it should ever at tempt practical demonstration in regulating the affairs of the Western hemisphere. French men can never be cajoled by John Bull into such absurdities. The indications are becoming pretty palpable that the alliance in the Eastern question is less practical than was expected and it is reported that the French soldiers who were reviewed by the Duke of Cambridge on his way to take command at Constantnope, repeatedly ejaculated in low tone as they pas sed before him, "Pefde Albione!''
 Paris, April 20, 1854
 My DEAR SIR: The political horizon is more cloudy than ever, the Eeastern question having brought many serious complications which the cannon only will solve; and with the cannon everything in Europe may be considsred as much compromised, for we know the oay we fire the first shot, but never can tell wheS and how will be the last! The government >&has shown up to this, but little foresight; evefs- thing is unprepared; war is begun, and we al:, not ready, although it is officially and daily announced differently The great error has beesl that they have thought all the time that the EnI- peror of Russia would retreat from the bold step he had taken against Turkey. It was seriou, >;alIssssske not to have acted immedatley on the offeEssSs asaiast Russia when her soldiers croS- sed the PrH1sSt taslt. Still greater fault yet has peen to trust Hdsss'se Prussia. Austria will never be sincerely againfs ts dent. In short, at this time, when we shoufl TZa.'e Uo dc', we are not ready, ana the 1ev thousand men sent to Constantinople have bars- ly had time to arrive and from in rank and fle ready for action; for you must not forget that such an expedition, on account of the distan{e, is very costly and fatiguing; our troops will want for almost everything unless provided from home by means of transport. Meantime Russia is marching her forces by thousands: to the accomplishment of her aim, and fear she will have attained it before we can have ou the spot sufficiently respectable force to jesist her; besides, how are we to attack her? Iwhat can we take from her? how can we hut? I consider Russia situated, in respect to thd occi- dental people of Europe greatly as the United