Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-05-08
France and England,

The reports which have been circulated
concerning the relations existing between
those two powers are SO various and con-
Trajectory. that fer all we know, the next
steamer from Europe may bring the news
that war has already been declared. or that
such a step never has been thought Of Ell
thcr by Louis Napoleon or the English Go
vernment. But, taking every thing into
consideration, in our opinion, a war be-
tween England and France is very prob
able event It is very true, that to enter
into war with France, would, on the part
Of England, be in opposition to the dictates
Of prudence--and it is equally true, that in
his pulley, previous to the last three or four
months, Louis Napoleon has shown dispo-
si'i"n friendly to England, and determine
ton to keep CIT anicable terms, if he could,
With that nation---but Napoleon too well
understands The nature Of his own people
and Of mankind in general, to believe that
the cnmity Of five centuries can be changed
in nome Mt, to love, by certain laws and
ly the disposition Of the Monarch who may
happen to be the present ruler. Full well
he knows the deadly hatred towards Eng
land, which is the constant and cherished
inhabitant Of the Ercnchman's bosom, which
seems to be almost co-exlstcnt with the two
nations, and which accumulating ages with
their Cressys and Poiciiers and Watcrloos
have only famed into fame which threat
ems to consume any ruler who attempts to
check its fury. The history of France for
the last seventy -fvc years fully corroboratcs
the observation Of the great dramatist-
Uneasy rests the head which wears crown
And we remark that the biographer Of Louis
Napoleon would observe, uncertain is the
carriage which bears Prince, and poison
cd is the food which Monarchs eat, Sc
There has been at least dozen forms of
government in France in the last century.
and four Monarchs have been dethroned in
that space Of time. In fact, one would con-
clnde from contemplating France, that the
dignity which doth hedge king" is in
truth "a most pitiable thing to behold. -
The unnatural propensity Of his carriage to
fly into the air, and the fear Of indigestion
las fully awakened Napoleon to his preca-
rious and dangerous position. He knows
full well the fckleness Of the French peo-
PIE and their love of change. and Of such
eccnes as the behcading of Kings, &c -
he has learned By terrible experience that
to allow ones self to be declared Emperor
OF the French is the same thing as to allow
ones self to be set up as mark to be shot
at by all the would be- Rrutuses Of the
world, and he knows that the best way to
court popularity and to secure his throne
against the attacks Of these jealous patriots,
is to declare war with England and to give
them some smaller game than the august
Emperor Of the French to shoot at, 10 the
shape Of the bluff, sturdy, bull-hcaded food
for-powder yeomanry Of England. From
the foregoing reasons We conclude that war
is very probable, and from the fact that
preparations for war are being now carried
on in France on UGH gigantic scale as to
leave hardly any donbt that they can have
but one object.