Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-08-27
The Meeting at Cherbourg.

The Illustrated News" one of the most popular and
widely circulated papers in England has pregnant
words the topic of Victoras visit to Cherbourg 1t
did not object to the queens gratifying her curiosity to
the place. but it wants the world to know "why''
she went 1t says
If there were real alliance between the English
and French people; if those great nations loved each
other so cordially that neither knave nor FOOLS in
terest nor ambition, nor any considerations of policy
could put dsunion betwixt them; it would most I'M
questionaby be grand thing for Europe and for the
world. But is there such alliance? And do the
English and the French people really love each other
1t seems not There was time at the first outbreak
Of the against Russia, when such an alliance was
possible; but that proceeded it became but too
evident that it better for England to fight alone
than to fight with such ally Alone the British for
might have taken SebastOpOl within three months.
Encountered with the aid of France, and distracted by
the counses of imperial friend who presumed to
duct the siege by kilograms from the Tueries it
pied two years to gain the Maako At the end of that
time imperial friend, having served his purpo
ses-flched all the glory that was fairly derivable
from the featand being unable to raise another soldier
another thousand francs for the prosecution of the
war; left his good friend England in the urch and proved
to the duest Engshman that the alliance, so far as
France concerned, hollow sham, and that this
country had spent It's treasure and shed the blood OF It's
sons in vain.
There has been real alliance since that time and,
blink it and disguise it we may there will and can
be real alliance until the whole circumstances of Eu-
rope are changed until France to be jealous of
England, or to dwell the embttered remembrances
of Waterloo and until the rulers of France, whether
they be emperOrs kings presidents dctators, learn
the true place of their country in the European system
and the duties they owe to the people whom they gov
ern."
The News continues
why should the queen of Great Britain visit such
place? We all know what Cherbourg is, and what ii
means We all know for what purposes it was planned
for what puposes through six generations and amid the
fortunes and misortunes of three dynasties and five
republics it has been brought to completion. The pur
pose was avowed by Louis XIV well as by Napoleon
l. Though Napoleon III is not man to ayow any
thing his nonavowal signifies nothing. He has proven
bal talent for silence and when he holds his tongue he
causes men to think 1t is of to say that Cher
bourg is not intended a of offence against En-
gland. If it be not it is the most costly and stupiC
folly ever perpetrated by nation.
Why, again let US ask, should the queen of England
visit such place? Is it from motives of policy or O
poteness is it due to the impulse of mere curiosity
The policy is not easy to understand. The poiteness
under the circumstances, is farce and makebeevt
that deceives neither the recipient the renderer
The curiosity is more Ineligible"
The News advised her to CO. therefore, from plain curl
osy and advised all her court to let the motive be
derstood clearly Verify suspect there is little low
lost between England and France.