Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-04-17


name. As soon - the attempt upon the life
Of the French Emperor was announced in
England, it, people universally expressed their
detestatiOn Of the crime, and unhesitatingly
made known their sympathy for the victims.
The English Government introduced bill in
to Parliament to increase the penalty against
such acts, designating them a. cOnspiracies to
murder. That Act was then in accordance
with the sentiment Of the British people. Ma
poleon knew that that nation was sincere in
its expressions Of reprObation Of the crime and
thankfulness that it did not succeed. But the
conspiracy had been cOncOcted in England
some English enthusiasts were connected with
il, and the French cOngratulatOry addresses to
the Emperor, in very incorporate language,
denounced the whole British people as assas-
sins. French army officers, too, boosted Of
their ability to capture the cOnspirators in the
streets of London ITSELF To these addresses
the Emperor lent not unwilling err, and ex-
hibited no marks of displeasure. Then
great change took place in public feeling
throughout the British isles. The bulldog
character of that people was arOused--they
would do nothing apparently from cOmpul'
sion-they declared, as did the old Barons
to their King, 1--WE are unwilling that the
laws should be changed" believing that the
the minister had introduced his bill at the
dictaton Of France, their proper indignation
forced him to resign his position at the head
of the government, and the power Of the ma
ton was intrusted to men who, it was believed
would permit no interference by other nations
in the affairs Of Great Britain.
The same men who, in England few weeks
previously, would have cheerfully aided III
bringing the conspiratOrs to summary justice,
now crowd the courtroom where one charged
with that ofFcnse is being examined respect
ing it, and applaud to the echo the at
torncy for the prisoner, as he boldly demands
from the court the same consideration for the
defendant as if he were an EngliShman, and
warns that court to pay no heed to the men,
aces of foreign power. A war between
those two nations, tn be soon followed by
war in which all the great European powers
will be engaged, may result from the anlmos-
ity now existing between the people Of Eng
land on one side, and the French Emperor and
his armies on the other.
The United States could not long remain
neutral observer of such contest, and the
end no man can predict. By the political
tranquility of France, its Emperor has main
tanned his power over the French people, but
now he places his reliance solely upon his ar
my and naval forces France cannot success
fully invade England; some of the English
colonies might be captured, but ultimately
would be regained by England, and the French
navy destroyed. In the mean time we might
quietly annex Cuba, and assume the task oil
restoring prosperity and good government to
the people Of Central America and Mexico.
But before that our government will, probably,
be called upon to define its position in rela-
ton to some of those who are charged with
the attempt upon the life Of Napoleon.
An Englishman named Allsop, 1t is sa'o' was
one of the principals in that affair, and that
he is now secreted in the United States
There are some treaty stipulatiOns between
our government and France and England,
which provide for the surrender of criminals
from one nation escaping to another but pO'
EiticGI c6snders are not embraced in those
stipulations We are confident that AllsOp
will not be surrendered by the authorities, un'
less they are clearly required 80 to do by
treaty. He will not be without friends in this
country, who, while they condemn the man
ner in which he sought to effect the. Liberation
Of nation, will not fail to approve his mo-
tives and protect him.