The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-03-16

1t is well for the French EMPEROR, and perhaps
for France, that he is not simply the lucky adven-
turer the world called him few years ago. 1t is
equally fortunate for one, or both that he is some
thing more than a second-rate statesman. What
ever opinions may exist among men about LOUIS
NAPoLEoN's sincerity or the freedom enjoyed by
his subjects, there can be dispute about the ma
ture and extent of the difficulties he has so sue
cessfully surmounted That it was no light nm
dertaking 10 reduce to order the confusion into
which France was thrown by the revolution of
l848, the lamentabe failures of successive provi-
siondl governments demonstrated; but the task
was doubly hard for him who had to turn contin-
ually from the work of reconstruction to defend
himself from iunumerahle assaants. Atbome n
legitimate opposition and scores of conspirators
thWarted his plans and sought his life, while the
hostility of foreign courts and the Vaccinations
of the banished Bourbons menaced him from, with
out. Notwithstanding this, he reorganized the
State and made France what she now unouestion-
ably is, the leading power in Europe Her mate
rial resources have been developed with astound-
ing rapidlty her army has been made the most
efficient on the continent, and her navy disputes
therefore, we may and do find much to object TO
In the system he has established, it is impossible
for any candid man TO look at the results of his
reign ana deny his wonderful ability. But if we
would examine more narrowly his claim to those
higher qualities which constitute great state man,
it is necessary to consider not merely what he has
accomplished, but how he did it. 1t is said that
heis indebted to a singular series of fortuitous
circumstances not only for his own elevation, but
that the present prosperity of his country and the
influence she yields in Europe are owing to SINH
lar causes. Many eminent Englishmen persistent
ly adhere to this opinion, in spite of manifold
proofs of his foresight and resolution. Certainly
no man of his day has given more conclusive evil
dence that he thoroughly understands his own
position and is determined to follow at every
hazard the dictates of his own judgment When
his fortunes were hanging apparently upon the
uncertain chances of the hour he might have turn
ed the scale by calling upon the people of neigh
boring States to rise in revolution; and when he
had seated himself more firmly on the throne, he
might have consolidated his strength by making
common cause with the hereditary rulers of other
nations. A weaker politician would have sought
support the opportunities offered in both these
quarters-LoUIs NAPOLEON appealed to neither
When Kings scarcely deigned 10 recognize him, he
refused to permit KossUTH to enter France and
haughtily threatened to strike at the democracies
of England and Switzerland, which so
bitterly denounced him; and now, that
monarchs solicit his alliance, be heads the
revolted people of Italy, and is ready, on the
slightest provocation from Austria to incite an
instruction in Hungary. Nor are we justified
in entertaining for a moment the idea that his
policy in these particulars is attributable to any,
thing but his sagacity and boldness. The world
is bound to presume thus much from what it now
knows of his method of dealing with two of the
most momenteus questions of the day. In re-
modelling the commercial system of France he
has uprooted the theories which have been rigidly
adhered to there from the earliest ages. and has
broken down the barriers which all the CONNER
cial and manufacturing classes had been taught
to regard as essential to their own existence Rut
when he astonished the public by promulgatinp
the treaty with England, which showed that he
had Joined hands with the free-traders. he took
no capricious or hasty step. For five wears he
had maturely considered the subject and had
during that period, carefully prepared the way
for the initiation of this progressive project So
too, when, at intervals, he intimated to the Popr
his disposition to curtail the limits of the patri.
mony OF ST. PETER, he spoke neither unadvisedly
nor l'ghty. He must be guided by some more
staoie landmarks, than stand upon the shifting
sanos Oh european politics, who could pursue
from year 10 year, the undertaking course which
the author of the celebrated letter IN Eno.p Nrx
has followed. Despite the resistance of Austria