Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-28
Napoleon's Explanation of his Intentions.

Napoleons Explanation uf his Intentions.
From the Paris Monteur, March ).
Public opinion in foreign countries does
not clearly understand the present regime of
the press in France. The belief appears to
prevail too generally that the journals are
subjected to previous censorship, and thus
All importance is ascribed to them which is
unfounded. The administration, it ought to be
known, has no preventive action as regards
the press.' The public should, therefore, be
on its guard against the inductions founded
on the language of the journals. Whenever Il
grave question presents itself, or IN important
act is accomplished, the government address
scs itself directly to the nation through the
official journal. That is duty which it has
always imposed on itself. and which it will
accomplish the more scrupulously under pre-
sent circumstances, as public opinion is now
more than ever taken unawares and mlsled.
The state of things in Italy. although of
old date, has in these latter times assumed
in the eyes of ALL character Of gravity which
has naturally struck the mind of the Empc-
ror; for the chief of Il great power like France
cannot isolate himself from questions which
interest European order. Animated by Il
spirit OF prudence which it would have been
cul pable not to have possessed. he directs his
attention in the most loyal manner to the
reasonable and equitable solution Of these del
icate and difficult problems.
The Emperor has nothing to disguise, moth
ing To dlsarow, either in the objects OF his
anxious delibcr;ition or in his alliances
French interest guides his policy and justifes
his vigilance.
In presence Of the dis1uctudcs, We are
glad to believe untounded. which have aglta-
ted public opinion in Piedmont, the Emperor
has promised the King of Sardinia to defend
him against any aggressive act on the part OF
Austria he has promised nothing more,
and it is well known that he keeps his word.
Is this to be considered us dream OF war:
Is it not more in conformity with the rules OF
prudence to foresee difficulties, more or less
near, and to weigh all their consequences?
We have Just indicated what are the real
thoughts, duties. and tendencies of the En-
peror; and all that the eXaggcratlons OF the
press have added thereto is pure imagination.
fasehood. and delirum.
France, il Is asserted, il making Consider
able warlikc preparations. THIS is com
pletely gratuitous imputation. The regular
effective force OF the peace footing adopted
two years ago by the Emperor, has not been
exceeded. The artillery is purchasing 1000
horses to attain the reglementary limits
The infantry regiments are 1000 strong and
the regiments Of cavalry 900
1t is affirmed also, that the French arse
mails are displaying extraordinary activity.
But it is forgotten that we have to change
all our artillery and 10 transform our entire
fleet. This last undertaking, long since de-
cided on, in order to give our fleet its normal
strength, is sanctioned by the annual votes
of the legislative body; and. notwithstanding
the most praiseworthy activity, several years
will still be necessary to complete the opera
ton.
Lastly uneasiness is felt at the prepare
tons in our navy. All these preparations,
however, consist in fitting out four frigates
for the conveyance of troops from France to
Algeria and from Algeria to France; and
four screw transports destined to provide for
different eyentuaitles, especially for the ser
vice Of Civita fecchia, and for the revictua-
ling, by way Of Alexandria, OF our cxpcd-
| ton III tOchlr lnina.
Such are the facts, and they should fully
reassure sincere men rs I" the projects as
crihcd to the Emperor, and lead them to
treat rs they deserve tho allegations of those
who are interested in casting doubts "u the
most unoblectionable measures, and clouding
the clearest situations.
Is it not time tn ask when these vague and
absurd rumors, spread by the press from one
end of Europe to the other, will cnd--rumnrs
representing everywhere To public crcduiity
the Emperor of the French A. exciting Ia
war, and throwing on him alone the rc-pon-
sihiity Of the disquictudes and warlike pre-
parations Of Europe:
Who can have a right to mislead public
opinion 50 shanefully--to alarm interests 40
gratuitously?
Where are the words. where the diploma
tic notes. where the acts. which Indicate de-
sire to excite war for the passions which it
satisfies, or for the glory which it procurcS :?
Who has seen the soldiers, has counted the
pieces of cannon, estimated the supplies
which are said To have been added with SO
much cost and haste to the ordinary state of
a peace footing in France? Where are the
extraordinary levieS, the anticipated calling
out of soldiers? On what day were recalled
to service the men now absent on renewable
furloughs? Who, in short, can show the ele-
ments. however slight they may be, of the
general accusations which maevolcEcc in
vents, which credulity hawks about, and
which stupidity accepts:
No doubt, "a we have said, the Emperor
watches over the various causes Of cumplica-
ton which may appear on the horizon. 1t
is the duty of all prudent policy 10 endeavor
to con lure away the events or questions which
are of nature to trouble that order without
which there is neither peace nor commerce
1t is not respite which real business (rerit0-
bles afairesy requires; it is security and L
safe future.
Such foresight is neither agitation nor pro-
vocation. To study queston>is not to Gre
ate them; and to divert attention from them
would be neither t0supprcss nor solve them.
Besides, diplomatic examination of these
questions has been commenced. and nothing
warrants the belief that the issue will he
unfavorahlc t. the consolidation of public
peace.
Excitement at Holly Springs.
We are informed, that a merchant of Bos-
ton obtained requi,ition. from the cover
nor of Massachusetts, on the Governor Of