Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-08

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to spare, has now large armies at its disposal.
What France might then have undertaken
without the risk Of a war; could not now be
prosecuted without the certainty of war
War was not the'deSire of France. The object
contemplated was not worth war, especially
with an ancient friend and ally. So, whether
the object of the Emperor was to check the
expansion Of our power on this continent, to
prevent the United States from taking "pos-
session of the whole Gulf Of Mexico, thence
command the Antilles as we'll as South America,
and become the sole disburSer of the products
Of the new world" to establish the Latin race
on this side of the Atlantic; to build up
monarchy close beside us; or to enforce the
payment of debts whether it was for one or
/ all of these objects that the Emperor under
took the occupation of Mexico, he now makes
/ known his purpose to "recall" his troops. He
| does not say to-day or tomorrow, this month
/ or next month, but as soon as it can be ef'
fected without compromising the French inte-
rests which we have to defend in that distant
country" The time is not fixed, because he
has not yet reached, but " IS coming to an lu-
| derStapding with the Emperor MAMMALIAN to
/ fe the epoch for the recall of our troops"
| Diplomacy is not now the false and juggling
| art it once was, and we must remember that
| this language did not emanate from one diplo-
matist in conference with another. 1t was the
language of the Emperor TO his Corps Legisa-
/ Tiff. We must also bear in mind that in initia-
/ ting a retrogade movement-ln laying the
/ foundation for the abandonment of an enter
/ prise which he had commenced with so much
Of hope, and prosecuted with so much Of ar
| dor, delicate manipulation was necessary. The
/ selEesteem, the sensitive honor, the military
susceptibility of the French must not be
wounded y graceful, gradual and honorable
retrOgression in whichhe should be encouraged,
not ridiculed or complained of by us, would
relieve the difficulties of his position and re-
concile his people to his policy. Should he
claim to have accomplished all his ends, what
use would there be in denying the pretenSion.
SO he withdraws his troops, we should be per-
tectly content and not be so rude as to pry
into, much less question, his motives.
We think the war cry raised by the Herald
is altogether uucalled for. Wc'see no ground
for its apprehension that the French Emperor
designs forcing war upon us. A war with
France is the last war to be thought of. She
was our fast friend and faithful ally ninety
years ago, when we most needed friendship and
succor. The ties then formed cannot be
easily, should not be lightly SEVERED
We should bear much before thinking,
even. Of war. Nor should we be swift TO
suspect so wise and SagacOuS monarch as
LOUIS NAPOLEON, who shares the friendly SEN
timents of his people, of entertaining hostile
purpose towards us. We should rather judge
his measures charitably, even when they APP
pear doubtful. Firmly united once more, as
our people should be, and We hope soon will
be, we will be too strong to fear any power or
combination of powers, and should be lifted
above the wretched weakness of timid SuSpi-
cions. We can afford to trust other nations,
especially friendly nations, for we are conscious
of a strength that renders us formidable as an
enemy, and desirable as friend.
Some needless persons talk about wars be-
tween natiORS-grcat, civilized, christian ma
tionS-with thousand vital interests at stake,
as foolish boys talk about their puny and blood
| less combats. Wars are great evils, which no
one knows better than NAPOLEON; and none
have better cause to know than the American
people.
No war could possibly be more distasteful to
the people of the United States than war
with France. Their hearts would not be in it.
1t would seem to them unnatural and migrate
full. In addition to the sentiments that would
bc shocked, and the general interests that would
be ruined by such a war, we, in Virginia, have
a peculiar interest that would be sacrificed.
Six or eight years ago the attention of
company of French capitalists was directed to
this State, as afiording a good field for invest
ment and enterprise. After a careful and de-
| hberate survey of the resources Of the State,
they Sagacodsly fixed their attention upon that
great unfinished work, the James River and
| Kanawha Canal. They saw at a glance the
magnitude and Importance of this enterprise,
and the immense profit it could be made to
yield. They saw that its completion would
produce an immediate diversion Of trade and
travel from old to new channels and that it
would connect the ocean with the Great West
| by a safer, cheaper and more direct line than
any now existing. They saw that to possess
themselves of this great work was the
surest way to turn their capital TO advantage,
and at once conceived the vast idea of getting
the project under their control. \ firm COM
posed of few capitalists, NJ. ERNEST BELLoT
| DEs MIN1ERES, Brothers & Co., determined to
undertake aud carry through to its completion
a work that a wealthy and prosperous State, in
consequence Of the dispersion of its capital
and energies, had failed to finish in a course Of
eighty years. The consent of the State Of
| Virginia, and of the James River and kanawha
Company, was necessary to effect the transfer,
and there were many formidable difficulties in
the way OF procuring their consent. But the
firm of VI. ERNEST BELLOT DES MINIEREs, Bro
theirs Co., under the management and direc-
ton Of the first named member of the firm,
having once put their hands to the plough, de-
termined to know no such word as fail. They
opened their plan TO the James River and IA
nawha Company through its able President,
Colonel Thomas II. ELLIS. 1t was great plan,
involving much capital and the future interests
of the State and the Company, the extent Of
which cannot easily be measured. The French
company persevered. They produced vouchers
of the most satisfactory character as to their
responsibility, business qualifications and
, means. They showed, too, that their enter
prise had enlisted not only the favor, but'the
d warm interest Of their Government. After
much correspondence, conference and negotia-
ton, the James River and Kanawha Company
came to an understanding with this firm. A
contract was drawn up by which, IF approved
by the Legislature Of Yirginia), transfer Of
{ the property was to be made to the firm. under
$ the name and style of the .. Virginia Canal
| COmnanv - The DrOviSions = =,