The Portland daily press., 1864-11-12

a.
The above onestion is an important one,
and upon its answer hangs many tnings y VI
tai interest to our nationality. nat no "anpS
Texas more than he wants Mexico there can
ha No reasonable doubt in any Intelligent
$50 rbosa who have carefully read the his
torv ~ raxas from the day when the first cot
to,, goods were planted there will readily com
nrebepd the reasons why the French Emper-
or would be glad to add that section of coun-
try to his empire. No doubt his eyes were
fastened on Texas at the time he commenced
his operations against Mexico. Louis Napo-
leon is not only far seeing, but very ambitious
also. The French love glory aud renown, and
that love the Emperor must flatter, foster snu
cherish in order to keep the crown n'o.e
steady upon his head. No monsrcn
better than he does the necessity OF nAs'ens
his subjects and counteractin4 sro
of such men as Victor Fago, Gasparin ana
MANY other liberals wlo have not yet lost all
tho;r 900 over F,snchmen. The spirit of
- a;d not t.xe her flight from France
when Louis Nspoleon was elected Emperor at
tho noint Of che bayonet, and no one is more
oonsciou of the fact than the Emperor him
.ole bsnce his anxiety to do all in his power
foy the glory and interest of France.
And what better could he do than to obtain
control over the cotton fields of Texas? 1t
must be borne in mind that all is not silk that
shines as such. The women of our country who
flutter in brocade and wear out millions
of yards in sweeping sidewalks, may not per-
haps be aware that sea-island and Texan cot
ton enter largely into the fabric. All the beau
tiful material is not spun by the silkworm,
but the negro slave has contributed his share.
Previous to our late election which has result
ed so disastrously to many hopes entertained
here as well as on the other side of the ocean,
the French Emperor was quite confident that
he could wiring out OF our domestic troubles
something for the glory and benefit Of his en-
pire. Hoping and believing that Southern
rebels, with the aid of northern copperheads,
would be able to establish an independent
confederacy, he has been laying mis- corns to
| induce Texas to throw herself with all her
silky fibre into his imperial arms.
While operating in Mexico and placing
Macmillan in power orule that country, this
willy European politicians eyes were fixed on
Texas, and if Mcclellan had been elected and
Vallandigham and company had obtained the
control Of our affairs, he might have succeed
ed in his designs upon Texas. JEFF. Davis
and his northern friends would have been
ready to drive almost any bargain for the sake
Of being recognized by France, England and
| Spain. But the loyal people of this country
have spoken in voice of thunder, and these
European Powers will postpone recognition
of Southern rebels until a more convenient
season. When we give them proofs that We
are a nation Of towards and poltroons an(
show them that we have lost all national pride
and are willing to negotiate with rebels be
fore they lay down their arms and ask fol
terms, then and not till then, will they find q
convenient season to recognize Southern trai.
tors as a Power among nations. g Y VA
DR.. Wood, the Texan refugee, has stated
similar views in relation to Louis Napoleon's
operations in Mexico to those above express.
ed, and correspondent of the N. Y. Eaenins
Post has also given opinions somewhat SINH
lar. Some of the leading men in Texas have
talked plainly Of plans to treat with the French
Emperor. There can be but little question
that there has been a secret understanding be
tween Napoleon, Slidell, JEFF. Davis and Tex
an gentleman on the subject France want.
nothing SO much as she does the control of
cotton region where the finest article is grown
Her power in Mexico would aid her in givin,
support to Texas. The silk manufactures O
France must languish without supply of fine
cotton. 1t is stated on good authority tina
from one to two-tairds of the stock of French
silk fabrics are composed of Texan cotton. A
writer in the Eoening Post says:
There is no doubt since the battle of Sar
Jacinto France has pocketed at least one hun
bred millions dollars for Texas cotton which
she has sold for silk. Under this statement
If facts can any one doubt that it is Texas
cotton that Louis Napoleon is after? A deal
er 10 French silks here tells me that he has
had ostensible French silks that were two
thirds cotton, while the purest that you can
lind here is one-third cotton sas31
No wonder then that Louis Napoleon is
anxious to add Texas to his Empire. We
trust the women of our country will be little
more cautious in the purchase of French silks
| Touch fire to them and see if the fabric freely
burns fit does the conclusion is fair and legiti
mate that good portion of it is cotton. Pure
ilk does not burn very easily or brightly, and
the smell from the burning is somewhat sim:.
lar to that from burning wool. When Louis
Napoleon hears the news of our recent cleo
lion, his hopes of acquiring Texas will sink t.
zero and Slidell must make the most of hi
daughters marriage with French banker. he
will probably remain in France and not return
again to the South, and jeff Davis and other
leading traitors win ere long be making tracks
or some foreign country. A change has come
over the spirit of their dreams, as well as over
the dreams Of northern copperheads. The
morning breaks! v~t