The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-03-15

were unchanged, though there rather Offering
The Engiish and FRENCH Alliance.
We publish to-day letter from a London
correspondent which contains some remarkable
statements in reference to the views and dispo-
sition of the French Court on the subject Of the
existing grievances against England These
statements are derived from source on which
the most implicit reliance is to be placed and
they may be regarded as rejecting faithfully
the feelings of the Emperor's encourage. 1t will
be seen by the expression attributed to Madame
de Morny, that in the opinion of the people i'm
mediately connected with the court the all-
ance has received q shock from which it is not
likely to recover. The language of the French
officials is said to be offensive and belligerent to
degree which causes the most serious alarm at
the English embassy. The motives of this tone
are to be gathered from the declaration report
ed to have been made by Count Walewsd to
Marshal Pelissier, That the Emperor was
mad not to take advantage of his present
position that the time was coming when
he would have to concede freer institutions
to France, and that quarrel with England
would then assume all the cumbrous forms that
paralyze success;-now it was quite different; he
bad but to say the word to put armies and
fleets in motion"
From these sentiments some idea may be
formed of the critical position in which the re-
lations of the two countries stand at present.
Unfortunately, the men who are supposed to
enjoy the Emperor's confidence are not persons
on whose discretion or prudence much reliance
is to be placed. They are, for the most part,
adveLturers and stockholders, without personal
character, official experience, or the habit of
dealing with political questions of delicate
and important nature. They have besides so
many interests outside their official responsible
ties which can be subserved or promoted by the
aggravation of the present embarrassments,
that we can readily understand their present
language. All these men gamble largely
on the Bourse, and avail themselves of their
positions near the Emperor to further their
speculations. 1t is, therefore, their policy to
keep the public mind in a continual state of ex-
citement and uneasiness, in order to increase
their opportunities for making haul; but, be
sides these temptations, there are others which,
no doubt, have strong influence in deter
mining their hostile tone towards England.
Having most Of them accumulated large for
tunes through their stock operations, they are
looking forward to such a change in the condi-
lion of affairs as will give the Emperor an ex-
cuse for creating new aristocracy. The
prudence Of Louis Napoleon has prevented him
from yielding to the ambitious longings of
his political prottgfs; and, with the exception
of one or two dignites accorded for military
services, he has done nothing towards swelling
the ranks of the French peerage. These title
loving aspirants will, therefore, have to wait
until they win their honors, either by gallant
actions on the field or by important diplomatic
services. As war with England would hold
out the best chance for earning such distinc-
tons, it is easy to comprehend why men, like
the DeMorny's and Persigny's, should eagerly
grasp at any opportunity of bringing about
such an event, ruinous though it might prove to
their country.
In such a state Of circumstances it is evident
that II requires but small additional provoca-
ton on the part Of England TO fan these feel
ings into fame which nothing but blood can
extinguish. In fact il is only the selfcontrol
and prudence of the Emperor-the only wise
and temperate man in his court-which have
already prevented the two governments from
being compromised in an open rupture. As a
proof of this we have only TO refer to anoth-
er fact mentioned by our correspondent.
After the report Of the Hyde Park meeting and
Of the assault committed in London on the per.
sons Of some Frenchmen taken by the mob for
spies, the question was discussed at Cabinet
Council whether Count Persigny should not be
instructed ~ demand an apology. The En-
peror, exhibiting an unusual degree Of excite
mcnt, said, "For Gods sake, gentlemen, don't
talk of this, or we shall be in extremities in
twenty-four hours know Hyde Park and all
the absurdities of an English mob, and IL we
are wise we must always take higher ground
than this"
With such angry influences surrounding him
IL becomes a question whether Louis Napoleon
can long continue to stem the tide of hostility
which is setting In in France against its ally.
The truth contained in Count Walewski's re-
mark, just quoted, that II the Emperor must
yield TO this feeling he bad better do IL whilst
be is unencumbered by the freer institutions
which sooner or later be will have 10 accord 10