Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-10-03
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.


perceive mean the material interests OF that
country-more than ever before since history
has been written. Her Government, unlike
ours, enters intimately into the every day af-
fairs of all its citizens; 30 intimately as that 1t
forms as it were very element OF their exist
ence. Were this something new we should be
last to approve it; but since the days of avowed
despotism there, such has been the character of
the Government of France. Her republics have
been nought but the most odious despotisms
under false colors. It-despotsm-is the Gov
eminent which the people of France seem abso
lutely to require under any and all circum-
stances by which they may be surrounded.
Hence, in their case, despotism that works well
for her population is a very God-send as it we're.
No one has been more suspicious of the despot-
ism of Louis Napoleon than ourself Yet we are
constrained to award him his due Of praise as
being the best Of all her rulers of the last Gen.
fury, so far as protecting and fostering the sub
stantial interests of her labOring population and
men Of means are concerned. .
But We will let the Commercial Advertiser
explain the condition of that country under its
present government. which it does far more
forcibly than We might hope to do-as follows
Few men can lay better claim to the notoriety
OF having been immensely abused than Louis
Napoleon, now Emperor OF France. Ii Is scarcely
too much to say that he has borne il all with COM
meDdable stoicism. 1t does not seem seriously to
have marred his comfort, and ii certainly has not
1mpeded the development of his capacity a
ruler and the prosecution of his plans and pur-
poses AZ a statesman. The most observable effect
of it has been TO blind the people OF this country
to whatever Of good for France there may be in
his domination. 90 An American in Paris a
correspondent Of the National Intelligencer, how
ever enters into an elaborate and able analysis of
the relations of the present Emperor to the coun-
try he governs, and educes facts and observations
very favorable TO Louis Napoleon.
The american in Paris claims that the recent
elections in France have clearly proved the pop
ularity of the present Government; and that the
present condition Of Paris, contrasted with
that of New York-the security Of the citizens
from violence and insult, the attention paid to
the most trivial complaint of ILL., usage, and the
evident desire to protect the rights of all, the
lowiy as well as the GREATS an evidence that
such popularity is we'll deserved. He claims also
for Louis Napoleon undeniable greatness and
ability as a statesman, as evidenced by the de-
crees he is constantly issuing for the moderation
of the condition of all classes, and his watc hful-
made him to be regarded as a benefactor BY the
French people. The " American in Paris"
adds
'.Havng diligently sought for information
among the working classes at Paris, l find but
one opinion as regards Louis Napoleon He is
the man for the times and not so far gone with
.spinal affection " as is frequently intimated.
The unfair reports made in the United States
with regard TO the progress and prosperity of
France cause discomfort very unequivo ally ex-
pressed. Men of influence and note with whom
1 have conversed on the subject, after taking the
pains to point out to ME the real prosperity of
France, her weight and influence in Europe. ask
me w by such reports find their way to your coun-
try, showing me at the same time many really
unjust parag raphs in American papers And /
can only reply know not, for their falsty is too
palpable."
Whatever may be the merits or dement's of the
present Emperor of France il must be admitted
that under his sway France has risen greatly In
her influence among nations, and has given evil
dence of great and continuous prosperity. Her
voice is heard and needed in all the grayes inter-
national discussions and negotiations to an extent
that IL had not been for many years and this she
owes in great degree to the tact, independence,
and vigor of her present ruler. No lover Of pop-
ular and representative government can approve
the means by which his supremacy was acquired
and has been retained but II is no less true that
his power has been periodically exercised, and |
that the people OF France are more than content |
with his government. That people, We know |
are liable to sudden changes of sentiInent-it is
in the national character be easily excited and
In its excitement to do ST. ange and ccountable
things-but il does not seem at present probable |
that any popular discomfort will overthrow Louis
Napoleon's domination.
SHIP BUILDING AT THE SoUrH.-We take
great pleasure in stating fact that has incl |
dentaliy come to our knowledge. Viz That |
the model for steam revenue cutter, presented |
by the ship-building firm of Page q Allen, of |
Portsmouth, Va, In the late contest before the |
Treasury Department, was voted by the exam |
lining (testing) board to be next best to that Of
the gentleman who obtained the award-Mr. |
Webb, Of New Forthwith whom the Secretary |
very properly contracted for the construction Of |
the vessel, IN obedience to the boards award. |
And, also, the further fact that in the so recent
contest for the construction of steam sloop-Of.
war for the Government, the model presented |
by the same house page Allen is said to |
have come within one vote (of the board) of |
carrying of the prize-that of Mr.. Westeryelt |
receiving eight votes, to seven for theirs. In |
this case, too, the contract was of course made |
with the builder whose model received the |
award
We mention these facts because we are great |
ly gratifed with the fact that this sou thern |
ship-building house ranks so high for skiful |
work, as to stand second upon the list in both |
these contests, to which nearly all the eminent |
ship-builders of the country we're parties. The |
house have constructed revenue cutters for the |
Government, which have given entire satsfac-
ton during long service, and in the six years du-
ring which they have carried on their ship-yard |
at Portsmouth, Va, they have constructed more |
large merchant vessels than were ever before |
built in all the Union so far south. Their estab-
lishment.is at the most accessible point for the |
timber out Of which Government vessels arc |
and, besides, embraces many other |
Of location not obtainable elsewhere;
tho harbor of Norfolk and Portsmouth, Va,
being unsurpassed on the Atlantic coast. We |
state all these facts in the hope that they will
have due weight in inducing the Government |
to divideits ship-building by contract somewhat |
in hereafter giving out such work, ordering the |
next new steam sloop-ofwar to be built by the |
mechanics Of the South
LIFE ON THE PRAIRIE.-Below we print |
sprightly and agreeable letter from q young
Washingtonian, who is a member of the expedi- |