The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-05-16

France and EnEls~d-A War or a Rsvsl stlon
the Alternative.
We have had occasion to notice some curious
resemblances in the political status and Der
sOnal career OF the First and Third Emperors of
the French. We might almost assert that cir
cumstances--the tides of time-have had an
effect on their policy which they both have re-
sisted in vain. Both these personages have
been compelled, as Tacitus said of the rulers Of
the Romans in the later days Of the empire, " to
rush into the Immediate" while remote causes
were silently doing their work in spite Of them,
overthrOwing their personal safeguards and
sweeping their thrones away. The establish
ment of new dynasty is always q difficult
task, and all the Napoleons have found 1t SO.
Whenever a government is obliged to be pro-
tected against the freedom of opinion, it is in
imminent danger and the wars of opinion are
of all the most fatal to those who seek to re-
press it. Ever. since the first Consulate the
French press has been kept under control, not
withstanding the occasional legslizatiOn of it's
liberty. On the return of the BOurbons, and
during the reign of Louis Philippe, it was re-
pressed by frequent interpretations of the censor
ship, in spite of oaths aud charters
Scarcely, however, had the defnitive treaty
Of Amiens been signed, when the British press
broke loose against the aggressions of the
French government on the liberties of the
weaker nations and the petty vex-
and torrent of satire" was poured FORTH
under which Napoleon's temper gave way, and
which he resisted as well as he could in the
columns OF the Moniter. In his subsequent
revelations at ST. Helena, he admitted that he
had made that journal the soul and life blood
of his government, the intermediate instrument
of his communications with public opinion at
home and abroad. Did any question arise
respecting certain grand political combinations
or some delicate points Of diplomacy, the objects
were indirectly limited at in the Moniteur, and
instantly attracted universal attention. It was
reproached said he for its acrimony and
violence against the enemy, but "before we
condemn them, we are bound to take into con-
sideration the benefits they may have produced,
the anxiety with which they occasionally per-
picked the enemy, and the terror with which
they struck hesitating cabinet" At later
period he aided the publication of an English
paper in Paris, called the Argus, conducted by
some Irish refugees, which was replied to by the
British press with tenfold bitterness and un.
sparing abuse.
A peace Of which such were the fruits
could not be of long continuance. A
contest about principles had already
begun. Indeed, when Mr.. Pitt was occa
sionally pushed to the wall by his oppo-
nents to explain why peace could not be main.
tanned, as Mr.. Fox thought it might be, he had
to defend his policy by arguments founded on
general principles, and the necessity of uphold
ing at all hazards sound public opinion.
We see something of this spirit at the present
moment overriding the real wishes perhaps Of
the governments of France and England. Louis
Napoleon when an exile was well received in
the latter country he evinced his attachment to
its institutions and Its laws by accepting the
staff of . constable, and turning out to put down
q political riot. Since his accession to the
empire, he has exchanged visits with the Queen
Of England, and has no doubt in much sincerity
acknowledged the importance and the consola-
ton Of her friendship. But what Of this! He
finds his throne insecure from the assaults of
secret and unrelenting enemies One ottsgtai.
as the attempt to assassnate is pleasantly styled
by the polite conspirators closely follows
another his friends across the Channel driven
out Of Office On the mere attempt TO counterac
the future designs Of the bomb exploding
enagrfs, and the people of England standing by
the ancient land marks Of their liberties.
exccrating those who would dare propose their
removal. On the other hand, at home the old
national prejudices easily famed into flame, q
restless army painting for more glory and pro.
motion, and popular sentiment that there are
yet some old scores to be paid Off for Waterloo
lost, and the sacrilegious occupation of Paris
by the allied armies, seem to be creating and
shaping policy to which Louis Napoleon may
yet have to yield in order to keep himself on
the wave of French popularity. lie cannot be
insensible to the fact that at any time within
year past the English government by the use of
money might have brought about an Srae1ae ia
Paris; and Though IL is probable the army would
have stood by him at the onset, there Is no
knowing how long they would have continued
to do 70. Louis Philippe triumphed over seve-
raj reactionary attempts by means of his
soldiery, but succumbed at last And now it Is
believed that the detection of half a dozen of
the principal Crimean heroes, at any new crisis
in Paris, would lead the army again to fratcr-
nize with the people. The obvious policy of
the Emperor then, If he would feel himself Sc
cure, is to break up his relations with England
at the first good opportunity. lie has only to
study the history of his uncle to find
aprecedent EVERY wind that bowsfrom Fog.
land" said the first Napoleon brings nothing
but hatred and contempt. Our daily relations
with her modify our political ideas and revive
our thoughts ofliberty.' And not only arc these