A CLOUDY SKY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 179, 23 February 1860, Page 3

A CLOUDY SKY.

[From the Sheffield Independent.') We regret to observe that the gloom which wc last wee remarked upon has rather increased than diminished. Judging by the language of the French press, Louis Napoleon is in an ill temper just now. He has undertaken more than mortal man can manage, and his indifferent success sours him. Like some other people who have an overweening conceit of themselves, he doe 3 not trace his disappointments to their proper cause, the folly of his undertakings, but lie finds fault with those who he thinks ought to have helped him, and have forborno to do so. Bitterly mortified that lie had to retrench,his Italian programme, he lays the blame upon Europe, and especially upon England. Annoyed that he cannot carry out his schemes for the reconstruction of Italy, he again finds fault that England does not enter into his project, and minister to his vanity. Anxious to wield the influence of the papacy and to control his own priesthood, he is angry at being reminded that priests regard monarcha merely as their tools and are content to flatter their vanity, and to promote their schemes, only on condition that everything shall turn to their own aggrandisement. - As England is not prepared to embark blindly

in all his projects, and become his satellite, the Emperor looks out for other allies. Thus" he intrigues with Russia, patronises /Spain, makes advances to Holland, and tries to rule the road to the east. Still his great difficulty is to manage his own people. By his control 1 over the press, he imagines that he .makes them see all questions, at least all questions 1 of foreign policy, through his own spectacles. He tries to allure them witli visions of glory, ’ and then charges his neighbours with having 1 prevented the realisation of that glory. He ’ tells the people that an era of unparalleled greatness has opened upon Franco since his 1 accession, but England, decaying, feeble, timorous,, and jealous, stands aloof, and 1 throws cold water on Id-; fine scheme?. IT'- ’

angry threatens to settle the affairs or the world without her aid, ancl. in despite of her wishes. To some extend ho doubt, the French may be deluded by these repiesenta ; tions, and their foolish old antipathies may be so wrought upon as to Make them think England their enemy. We do not believe that the Emperor intends or wishes that this should involve him in a war with England. He is in difficult circumstances, and is compelled to use such means, many of them very dangerous, as are within his reach. He incurs frightful risks, and is raising up powers which he will not be always able to guide. If ever the day should come for him to quarrel with England, we believe he will feel it to be a day of greatet peril than he has ever yet known. But this policy of the Emperor may involve England in great misfortune. It may interrupt peace, which is the first of blessings to all nations, and which is necessary to the steady progress of that unexampled industrial and commercial activity that marks our age. Louis Napoleon may prove a curse to ns, but it cau only be at the cost of tenfold curses to France. Mark the effect now. In England the political uneasiness which his policy creates checks speculation, and millions of money that ought to be in full activity, employing labour, creating new wealth, and developing the resources of the earth far and near, lie comparatively unemployed, at low rates of interest. But in spite of all this England’s trade increases, her people are fairly employed, well-fed and contented; and in all her departments her prosperity and power are growing. France feels the disquiet caused by her imperial system far more than England. Her burthens are crushing her finances yearly become more embarrassed; her trade languishes, and her people suffer. Louis Napoleon may flatter himself that by keeping his hand upon the key of knowledge he can make the people think and feel as he may wish. This is partially, true, but only to this extent, that he may arouse their bad passions at will. He cannot prescribe the bounds to those passions. He eannot say that they shall fall upon others and spare himself. He cannot make people think that suffering is ease, that want ol prosperity and trouble is quietness. The evident result must be a break down of the compiicated and artificial system he lias created and carries on. Neither lie nor France will be the sole sufferers. But that they will be the greatest sufferers is certain.

What is our policy in this state of things ? We sit beside a human volcano. We cannot remove from it. Providence has cast our lot here, and we must bide the event. Our policy then must be one of prudence and preparation. Wemeither know the time nor the mode in which the volcano will explode. We must be careful to add nothing to its force. Neither by boasting nor by cringing; neither by ostentatious defiance, nor by yielding to insosence or aggression ; neither by refusing what i 3 right nor doing what is wrong, must we compromise ourselves.