Washington telegraph., 1863-04-22

| THE FRENCH AND WE.-It is pretty well
ascertained that whatever good Offices the
French Emperor may have intended in our
behalf, have been for the present overruled
and postponed by the effects of the Polish
revolution upon the cabinets of Europe. That
balance of power business in Europe is of aw-
full consequence to all leading nations, and
they must attend to that only, and carefully
too, whilst it is in agitation. Russia, Prussia,
Austria, England, France, are all interested,
and at any time angry collisions may occur,
endangering the peace of Europe, and involv-
ing the destiny perhaps of some one or other
of those nations. 1t beheoves France to at
tend well to herself, and guard her diplomacy
in this European agitation, to protect herself
at home. She might we'll risk a war with the
North, if that were all, but she cannot risk
hostilities with England and other European
powers upon any outside questions, until all
the matters arising out of the Polish revolution
be we'll and amicably adjusted.
We are doing very well as we are, under
the blessings of Providence, and can afford to
dispense with French assistance for the pres
ent. So, too, we can appreciate her position
and the just requirements of wise and sagaci-
Gus prudence, without feeling towards her any
of that resentment which the cold and heart
less conduct of England has already inspired.
The French meant something not certainly for
Lincon's good, in their proposals for media
ton and the correspondence ensuing thereon.
Being satisfied of that, aud seeing good reason
why it is not followed up at present, we may
still indulge all kindly tendencies towards a
nation with whom we certainly have more
congeniality of feeling and community of in
terest than with any other in Europe. 1t
would be a long argument, but might be made
very conclusive one, to show that in consti-
tutional temper and feeling, and in political
views, so far as our foreign 'licy is concerned,
we have more to bind us in close utilization
with the French than with any other nation;
whilst it is remarkable at the same time that
we have less to apprehend from her ambition.
The English are notorious for efforts to re duce
all weaker powers to political Of possible) or,
at least, commercial vassalage to herself
Witness only, by way of example, her conduct
towards Denmark, towards the East Indian
powers, the Chinese, and most especially the
Portuguese Kingdom, which. since the PENN
sular war. has been under the thumb of Eng
land entirely. 1t is notorious fact that the
English drank claret until this century. After
the government got control of Portugal, she
has forced the importation of Portuguese wines
until her people have become proverbal for
redenng their faces and soldering their brains
over the heavy wines of Madeira and 0porto.
She is a clttle fish of a nation. With very
side, which grasp every object they touch,
and have to be cut away to be loosened. A
very dangerous friend, if she have any claim
upon us at all
The history of France exhibits nothing of
the sort. She is not an aggressive nation by
nature, nor given much to intermeddie far from
home. Nothing heretofore ever grew out of
her Intervention in the old revolution. We do
not think it would in this Moreover, the
French have no moral prejudices. They care
little about slavery, pro or con. Rather pro,
if any difference. Perhaps our quiescence in
their Mexican project, and liberal interchange
of trade, would satisfy the French with US, and
we would remain fast friends, very useful to
each other in time to come. If it can be done
with any show Of justice, We like the idea of a
firm government for Mexico, and if in the
hands of frieui /, that country would be very
useful neighbor in many respects.