Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-01-26
French and yireIninp DipIomncy.

French and Virginian Diplomacy.
The Emperor Of the French is not sus-
pected of any lack of fshrewdness, nor of any
very gross ignorance of the principles of
| Government therefore he must have been
somewhat amused at the American idea of
the operation Of free institutions, as stated
by Minister Faulkner at a diplomatic recep-
ton. We quote:
1.-THE Emperor-T hope it is not true that
any of the States have separated from the
general Confederation
Mr.. Faulkner-'The States still form one
common government, as heretofore. There
is exc temtnt in portions of the COnfederacy,
aud there sre indications of extreme meas
ures being adopted by one or two of the
States. But we are familiar with the excite
nent, as we are with the vigor which belong
to the institutions Of free people. Wehave
already more than once passed through COM
motions which would have shattered into
fragments any other government on earth;
and this fact justfies the inference that the
strength of the Union will now be found
equal 10 the strain upon it,
1.-THE Emperor-T sincerely hope it may
be so, and that you may long continue a
united and prosperous people,"
The Emperor is to understand that
periodical dissolution is only an ebullition
of the vigor of our free institutions, and is
really sign of their strength. Judged by
this standard, the Emperor will find that
Mexico has the strongest Government on
earth, for no other could stand such commo-
tions without being shattered into fragments.
In fact to be shattered into fragments often,
is, according to Mr.. Faulkner, the best evil
dence that this is the strongest Government
on earth. Doubtless the Emperor will in
troduce this feature of our free institutions
into his Government, to strengthen it for his
successor, although his practice hitherto has
been on different principle.
One thing which the Emperor must
particularly admire, is the intelligent states
manship which free institutions breed.
Does body suppose that he had not
calculated his words when he spoke of "the
States separating from the General Con-
federation2 He knows that this is not a
Confederation of States, but Union of the
people. He had but little while before
seen the Presidents Message refuting the
idea that there was any right left in the
States against the Union.
But by this nice phrase, in an ostensibly
friendly expression toward the Union, he
| got the American Minister'S recognition
that the Government which he represented
was but confederation of independent
States, with their sovereignty only in abey-
ance, to be resumed at will, when they
would have all the rights of an independent
nation, to make treaties, alliances and con
federations with other nations. The signi.
icance of this is increased by the fact that
prominent politicians of Georgia and South
Carolina have for years been seeking to open
negotiations with Louis Napoleon, by rep
resenting the same doctrine, and are now
endeavoring to procure his recognition of it,
and his assistance to back it, by holding out
inducements of advantageous commercial
relations.
The Emperor has a way of giving out
oracles at his friendly receptions. The
Italian war was foreshadowed in his friendly
greeting to the Austrian Minister, at New
| years reception. With the Democratic doc
trine recognized by this Government, that
it is a confederation of States, without the
right to coerce them to remain in the Union,
no right remains on our part to object to
such alliances as the seeding States may
make with other nations. Louis Napoleon
needs no better right than that doctrine
| gives him, to send French feet TO Charles.
ton and New Orleans, now, to enforce such
treaties as any of the Southern States may
offer him. That he has been importuned by
Southern representatives, is q matter of com
mon notoriety. Is there anything in hi
character to insure that he will reject Sc
tempting bait? Furthermore, do not al
bis previous performances show that when
ever he entertains such a design, it will b,
indicated by public expressions of friend
ship for the Union, and newspaper express
ions that France is disinterestedly desirou
! for the perpetuity of the great American
Republic2 Let Northern newspaper writers
who are seizing with avidity upon ever
French expression favorable TO the Unior
reflect that the most profuse professions {
peace were made when the French army wa
under marching orders for Italy.