The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-27
WASHINGTON CITY.
FRIDAY. AUGUST AZ. 1858.
PARRISH PRESS AND THE QUEENS VISIT 10

this moment 10 inquire at what period OF history she
has not been threatening all the nations with her
shps-of-war and her fortiIications, yards docks
indeed, with all the implements Of destruction. The
Queen went the other day to join the Emperor
of the French in the celebration of the completion OF
the Cherbourg works instituted by the great Napo-
leon. OF course everybody knew that Cherbourg
was constructed in order to place France on foot
ing, if possible, with her colossal maritime neigh
bor The two powers alliesin fact the very best
of friends; their friendship being more likely, we
should say, to endure throughout this generation,
Just as both nations shall approach to equality OF po-
sition. We have idea that the first Naval Power
in the world would select an ally and establish
relations Of political and social friendship with
weak, unnhuential State. So equally clear
that the subsistng cordality and concert of action
between the Crowns Of Eng land and France could not
continue for six months except the solid founda
ton Of equality We do not mean the equality Of
rank and social position, however acquired and by
whatever tenure maintained, but that the parties
shall have corresponding power to aid each other
and to damage each other We have not yet reach
ed that advanced state Of civilization when it is safe
to trust the fortunes of individuals nations to the
maguannity Of the strong at least tits quite well
to bear arms while in the society of those whose
pockets are lined with revolvers and ornamented
with bowe-kniyes, stiliettoes, and torpedoes. 1t
was precisely this idea that originated and construct
ed the Cherbourg works. We have no belief that
France would have thought of eularging her navy
and sea-coast defeuces if she had not long been
threatened and several times practically bearded
IN I =. -rI n y
In this view we look upon the recent tete Of Cher
bourg token of peace, as species of break
water against the surgmg and seething waves Of
British power; and that the Queen of England, in
lending her presence on the OCCASION has exhibited
remarkable good sense. Her government has
sion to fear any power the earth and in the fact
that France is armed with countervailing weapons
guarantees Of peace.
IL is manifest that the time has when tho pol
icy Of the great States of Europe which have exer
cised acknowledged control the affairs of the
world must be changed or modified. The maritime
power of England, for instance, has been recognis
ed element in all governments heretofore and it is
safe to say that, however much good it has accom-
plished, it has often been at the expense of the
rights and the independence Of the weaker nations.
We have had little dsagreeable and troublesome
experience in this way ourselves, and France has
also occasion to remember when she was unable to re-
sist the dictaon of the British government OF main
tain upon her throne who was the acknowledged
choice Of her people. 1t was, in fact, tho irresist
bic naval force of England which was employed to
maintain the legitimate heirs to the French Crown
and to put down the example Of the people in elect
ing their own Chief Magistrate.
We are led to make these observations after read
ing the comments of the English press on the
sion Of the recent visit Of the Queen to the French
Emperor at Cherbourg With hardly an exception,
they denounce it az insulting to the Crown, map
proprate iltmed, and Notifying to British pride.
They seem to regard the act of the Queen, we had
almost said, as the construction of the Cherbourg
works. to intimate at all events that if she had de-
clined the imperial invitation, that stupendous ma
sonry would have been shorn of its threatening as
poets, leaving England in her condition of wonted
security. As we the matter at this distance and
with some recollectons running into the past, the
constituencies of the English people and press, on
the present occasion, is a very accurate type of
at the colossal strength and continued augmenta-
ton Of the British naval power. AT all events
they are the last nation to complain of France for
the increase of her material; and we should
say, considering the cordially of the existing ALI
ance, the petulant and complaining tone of the press
at the conduct of the Queen under tho circumstan-
ces, exhibits far of unmanly fear than of ma
tional magnaminity and courage We reminded
that the two governments are constructed upon
widely different models--an intimaton, of course,
that the Emperor is liable at any time to be driven
out of France and to be succeeded by dynasty ut
terly hostile to England If the latter however ex-
ert half the strength to keep Napoleon upon the
throne which they employed to drive his uncle of,
there will be no difficulty in sustaining the present
government in France. Meanwhile, the two powers
are becoming SO evenly balanced that who ever
may control their destiny the chances of maintaining
peace are thereby greatly enhanced.
The recent efforts Of the representatives at Paris
to mitigate the horrors and damages of war indicate
the influence which the commercial and manufacture
ing classes are exerting upon the councils Of the
nations Every expression of this nature is the dis
arming and dsmantling Of more or less shps-of-war
and practical guarantee of the closer union of all
the great commercial States in the pursuit of All