Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-05-01
LOUIS NAPOLEON AND THE UNITED
STATES

An american in France writing to
The National Iatsiigeacer. makes some re-
marks aeoa, the feelings which the French
Emperor enter;ains towards tbs country.
which may be Interesting to our relders;--
.Louls NApoLrox has been greatly ua-
saerrated BY the world but he is beginning
10 be properly appreciated, and there Is no
doubt ,ha, he is really an extraordinary man.
DO not say that he is equal TO his ilius,ri-
Gus uncle. but shall not be surprised, never
J. theless, if he should prove to be fully his
equal, and that his reign should be marked
with events quite as astounding as those OF
Napoleon |. and with results much more
! permanent and important.
1t is a matter OF great regret that the Uni
ted States should be, as they undoubtedly
are, in such dlslavor with such nation rs
France and with such ruler as she now
has. 1t is undeniable that our national
standing and character in Europe has re-
Gently suffered very much, and that we have
the general reputation of being restless,
grasping and unprinoipled, as regards our
relations and intercourse with foreign ma
tons. For this we are mainly indebted to
the bullying speeches In Congress, to the
doctrines advanced and justified by large
portion of the American press, and TO what
is generaliy understood TO be the policy and
views of the Government. The publca-
ton of the Official correspondence with
Spain, which has just reached here. ana par
ticularly the letter Of our three Ministers
upon Cuba, are well calculated to increase
the present unfavorable feelings towards
H. y.
unfortunate publication, and should never
have been permitted 10 see the light, for il
will do great harm.
+ will not assert that Louis Napoleon is
onrious for a war with Us, but have good
reason for saving that he would take no
special pains to avoid one, even whilst the
war in the East is on his hands, for he could
readily detach from his present s9uadrons
a force for operations on the American
coast overwhelmingly superior to any
thing the United States could put afioat in
the first twelve months after hostilitles
might commence: and as for troops, he can,
without the least inconvenience. spare ten,
twenty, or thirty thousand men for military
incursions upon land for the captnre or
destruction of cur seaports."
II is very well to be acquainted with the
views which intelligent citizens abroad take
ofour relations with foreign powers, but we
really do not entertain any Of the particular
fears which appear to be felt BY this writer
We said, a day or two ago, that Louis Ma
poieoa had as much business in France and
Europe as he could conveniently attend to,
and we are still of the same opinion. Il he
conclude TO try foray on this side OF the
Atlantic, although We do not think he
would make anything By it, we would no,
be surprised at that or any other Illustration
Of his erratie genius, But, though we
habitually avoid releringto matter. which
unnecessarily tend TO excite angry feelings,
we are at the same time pleased to be able
TO state that the Uaited States do not exist
BY the suiferance by Louis Napoleon Our
commerce may be very much exposed to
the attacks Of privateers or the regular ma
Wy OF any nation with whom we may be at
war, and in the ev nj Of war, all our large
sea board cities would doubtless be exposed
10 great loss and suffering. but none of
these considerations would induce us to at
tempt currying favor at the hands # the
French Emperor. We bend 10 knee to his
supremacy, and If he choose to start All
Egypt expedition against this country, he
viii find that it Will have Moscow ter
mination.