The Sun. — 1858-04-03 (London, England)

LONDON, SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1858.  In another part of our impression we have extracted an article from a morning contemporary, the Daily Netts, in reference to the modern attempt at universal empire. We should gladly do all in our power to shelter and protect the EMPEROR from the machinations of those who would resort even to bloodshed, for the purpose of promoting their own objects. But the end can never justify such means. Assassination is fatal to any cause. The sympathies of disinterested and unprejudiced men are invariably excited on behalf of the party attacked, and more especially when there was a recklessness with regard to innocent persons, such as that displayed in the sanguinary attempt of the 14th January. In our impression of yesterday a letter was extracted from the Daily News, referring to articles written by the late WILLIAM COBBETT in the year 1900. Now, notwithstanding the high character of the writer, we cannot approve of the sentiments contained therein, nor should the letter have appeared, if it could be considered at all applicable to the events of the present-day. But it is nearly sixty years since these opinions were promulgated. The hand by which they were penned has long since crumbled to dust. Had they been written at the present day, and in reference to the present EXPEROR, the author would doubtless have been required to answer for what might be considered as an incentive to murder. We must, however, remember that it was a French writer, generally supposed to have received his inspiration from a very high quarter, that resuscitated passages that might better have remained unnoticed.  But however earnestly he may condemn such opinions, we cannot permit our own constitutional laws to be changed, and all our English feelings to be violated by the introduction of a system of espionnage repugnant to every British heart. We detest spies and mouchards who tempt their victims into crime that they may afterwards betray them, and live in luxury on the blood money. We shall never sanction what are termed "domiciliary visits" or arrests on suspicion, vague charges or arbitrary punishments. When a man is found to be guilty of any offence against the law, let a suitable penalty be inflicted. But there shall be no interference with the liberty of the Press or of the people, whether British subjects, or foreigners, who have claimed the hospitality which was never denied to a political refugee, but which should be so far respected as to induce the parties receiving it to abstain from any acts contrary to the laws existing in the sanetuary which they have sought.  Wsrlvarmot approve of what has taken place, or what, we regret to say, is still of daily occurrence in France. But these are matters beyond our jurisdiction. It is for the people themselves to decide on the manner in which they are to be governed. If they are satisfied to see their brethren led into captivity, or exiled without any offence beyond that of incurring the suspicion of some police agent, it is their own affair, not ours. But most assuredly we shall not tolerate such practices on British soil, or render suspicion equivalent to proof. " Notoriety," as it is termed, will never be allowed to prevail against any person, unless he is guilty of some overt act in. contravention of the lex loci.  It is not against England alone that demands infringing the rights of an independent power have been urged. Count \VALEWSKI has also tried his hand against Sardinia and Switzerland. Mr. HODGE was to be victimised, but fottunatcly the new Government was inaugurated, and the Civic Britaitnicus received real protection. IL waa against Switzerland that the strongest and Most untenable claims w,-re advanced, that very Republic to which NAPOLEON owed a debt of deep gratitude—that Republic which had refused to deliver himup, and was prepared to brave all the power of France rather than infringe on the right of a fugitive on their territory. The ♦ery same thing was required by the Minister of the man who was saved by their resolute determination. They were asked by NAPOLEON to do that which he had praised, and thanked them for declining at a former period. It is, as we have said, an effort at universal so