The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-01-08
FRANCE AND ENGLAND IN AMERICA


articles from the leading Paris aud London Journals
on American affairs. The intelligent reader will of
course understand that the Paris press, though UNI
der close censorship, has been in the habit of in
dulgisg in a wonderful latitude of discussion in re-
gard to American aud English concerns. It is not
improbable, we take IL, that the Emperor finds it
extremely convenient at tmes to allow wide range
of statement and augmentation for which he is in no
way responsible The press has often INDUCED in cen
upon the conduct of the London cabinet and the
British public not wholly compatible with the cor
dial friendship which is supposed to subsist between
the Emperor and her Britannia Majesty. 1t is man
ifest indeed, that Napoleon finds it convenient and
useful to speak in peculiar manner 70 the French
people. His power is cohfessedly great, but it
would be gross libel upon the intelligence of the
French people TO say that he maintain his posi-
ton without consulting cspedients adjusting his
sails to catch the popular breeze. Dcmagoguism is
not all confined to free governments. There are
managers amongst despos well as amongst re-
publicans Louis Napoleon assembled the Throne by
an adroit intrigue. The tenures of his dynasty rest
on tho double foundation of the intellect and energy
of himself and his ancestors and the great fact that
his countrymen could be moulded and controlled by
their WILL We have right to infer, then, that the
Paris press, which is a powerful instrument in his
hands, is welded as an irresponsible agent by which
he is able to maintain character at home widely
different from that which he sustains abroad
Every intelligent reader in this country knows
for instance, that the statements of the Courier,
American matters we republsh to-day are wholly
without foundation. This government has sought
no exclusive control in Central America Its vigil
hnce in arrcstipg unlawful expeditions against those
States is unquestonable. The President has pro-
claimed purpose to open the Isthmian routes for
the common benefit of all the nations England has
distinctly sgnifed her satisfaction with the positions
equally explicit. The Central American States have
offered no objection that we Of Nor itpos
sble to find any well-grounded complaint against the
United States in their present attitude towards Gen.
trail America What is said about the establishment
of monarchical institutions in Mexico and the crea
ton of dcspotic government in Cuba and Puerto
Rico is of course, mere moonshne. 1t is sent over
happen TO be those who have right to control the
matter at all. There more absurd and
visionary scheme concocted, even in Paris, than
that Of reconstructing governments this side of
the water. This is no country in which to propa-
gate monarches England holds Canada very much
parent holds his after the latter has attained
his majority. Allegiance is mere prescription
ft,t.. A.
basis of absolute rule; but all the world under
stands that when the rule shall be relaxed or the
parties exercising power the Island shall fail to
provide the needful force to keep the colony in sub
lection, it will no longer belong to Spain We al
Jude to these matters only to show the absurdty of
any attempt to propagate monarchical institutions
on this side Of the water. There is not power
three governments, to create and maintain abso-
lutisc institutions in America. Spain holds
Cuba by virtue of law and it is the existence
of the law which protects her in the possession of
that colony. This is evident to every one on this
side of The water, and believe it is equally evi-
dent to Louis Napoleon, Lord Derby and other
chiefs of the great States of Europe England at all
events, has had experience enough in her relations
with America to understand the folly of enforcing
government in this part of the world II cannot be
done; and if it is tried in Mexico, we predict
for the effort an expensive and disgraceful failure
II is clearly demonstrated for instance, that the
tides Of emigration from Europe to all parts of this
continent must run through the United States A
century Of experience has fixed this law and it will
prevail for all time hereafter as certainly as the cur
rents of the Gulf stream hug our southern and east
ern coast and spend their forco in the broad Allan
tic. Now, il does not require much observation
to teach that foreigners who come to this
country quickly imbibe our notions of popu-
lar liberty and free government; nor do we
need assurances that they will at once become.
if need be, soldiers in the great cause of our
institutions. If France will consult her records
she will find that her population is on the decline
while ours doubles in about twenty three years
This is an important fact which bears directly upon
the proposition of the Paris Journal to create mon
pieces France has half million of soldiers and
a colossal naval establishment. Our army and navy
are engaged in the pursuits of agriculture manufac
lures, and commerce and their earnings this year
will be sufficient to put implements in their hands
next to meet all and every demand upon their pa
triotsm They doing in the way of gov
erning the world than the combined armies of all
the nations. They are laying the foundations of