Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-04-03
LOuis NAPOLEON.

The late narrow escape of the French En-
peror seems to have frightened him into meas
urcs that few months since his good judg-
mcnt would have shown him to be most I'M
polite and unwise. Heis man Of fine talents,
determined courage. close and shrcwd OBJ
server, and now, in the day of his prosperity,
does not neglect the lessons adverse fortune
for years taught him. He has governed
France wisely, and sustained himself by con-
vincing the people that the q" Empire is peace.
That people have, during his administration,
more generally devoted themselves to indus
trial pursuits than ever before, and property
and its acquisition having become more desir-
able and more eagerly sought after by them,
the mass Of the nation feared nothing so much
as any great change in the government. The
nation had suffered so long and severely from
frequent political commissions, that it was pro-
pared quietly to submit to any ruler who
would give it rcpoSe. This Louis Napoleon
had done, and by prudent, conciliatory pol
icy he strengthened his administration and en-
dcarcd himself to the affections of the people.
If he deprived them of their liberties, he did
so under such spccious prctcxts, and so con.
ccalcd his real designs, that the deprivation
was little needed or felt But, irritated and
alarmed by the pcrtinacity and rccklcssnesS of
those who seek to revolutionize France by
taking his life, he has rAshy adopted measures
which will cost him the loss of the affection Of
the French people, and estrange from him his
most potent and reliable ally. lie now throws
off the mask, and virtually changes the gov
eminent into military dcspOtism. lie has
filled civil positions with military leaders, and
seeks protection fromhis soldiers, in disregard
of all other classes Of his people. The press
he has so fettcrcd that what remnant of indie
pendencc it once had is destroyed. And al
ready the effect of these measures is very ap.
parent. The prudent and wealthy Of the
French are making sacrifices of their property,
so as to be prepared for any emergency, and
dstrust everywhere throughout France pre-
walls. The English people he has insultcd by
lnsinuations through his ambassadors that
they have countcnanccd and encouraged his
assassination. lie has lived in England-bcen
a recipient of her protection and hospitality;
he knows the character Of the English people,
and well knows that nowhere is the dSsdsSin
more heartily condemned than in the English
isles. But Napoleon has prccluded himself
from uttcring complaint against those who
seek his overthrow. lie has the might topun-
ish those who do so on the soil Of Faancc, and
that alone gives him the right to do so. Years
since he headed a .flibusterimg expedition
against France; he fitted it ont in England,
landed in France, and, if we remember cor
rccty, with his own hand killed the officer
who opposed his landing. He was speedily
captured, regarded as a mailman, and the
clcmcncy Of the king saved his life. The ex-
petition was designed to overthrow the then
existing government and place himself at the
head Of affairs. To attain his end he did not
hesitate to take the life of the loyal officer who
was honestly discharging his duty. If We
call the late expedition fitted out in England
a. fiibusterinQ expedition, and designate its
members as .hli6ustem instead of assassins, we
can regard it with little more complacency.
We leave others to draw the comparison
between Louis Napoleon and the means by
which he has gained power and the means
adopted by the misguided men who sought,
not power for themselves, but a peoples free
dom. lie, sought to enslave people, and did
it at the sacrifice of many lives, it mattered
not to him how many. They desired but
single life, without hope Of reward. But we
will not continue the comparison further
We have no justification to utter for such acts
as those committed by Ursini and his COM
rades in their attempt to destroy Louis Napo-
Icon; such sclfconstitutcd executors of dee
pots arc without justification. The people
alone have the right to make forciblc change
in their government. But, with allour abhor-
cncc for such acts, We don't clearly perceive
why Louis Napoleon is entitled to much SYM
patty, from his own or other nations-why
Americans should deem it just to bcspatter
him with their praise, and heap curses upon
the fanatics who have done no more heinous
deed than he is himself guilty Of