The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-01-24 00:00:00

THE FRENCH PRESS ON FREE TRADE.

Almost the only subject remarked on by the Paris
journals is the Emperor ai letter on the new osunnercial
system which is about to be introduced into France. The
()pinion Nationale and the Coarrier de Paris approve
the new programme, but do not enter into any reason-
ing in support of their brief declarations. The Union
makes no observations whatever, merely publishing the
test of the letter. The other jounials, with two excep-
tions, which will be noticed below, give the moat un-
qualified praise to the Emperor's statement. We sub-
join extracts train the various journals, commencing
with the Cuastitutioasel

" This letter is an event, and an event of the most
important kind. But we will to-day only make a single
observation :—lt was in the midst of the war in the
Criuiea, and of the anxieties caused by a conflict which
was distant and iull of uncertainties, that the Emperor
resolved that manufactures and the fine arts should sub-
nut to tile judgment of the civilised world their produe
tions and their chefs crearre. It was during that gigan-
tic war that he celled on France to redouale her pacific
efforts and activity. It was then that the works which
are sufficient to cause the glory of a reign were carried
on with the greatest zeal—namely, the transformation
of Paris, the establishluent of institutione of public
credit, the opening or execution of railways in all parts,
the establishment of municipal institutions, and finan-
cial reforms. And now, just after the conelusiou of a
war which has profoundly agitated all Europe, and of
which all the consequences are not yet definitely regu-
lated, the Eniperor hesitates not to tiace for the second
time the prodigious programme of his internal policy.
These two circumstances are in themselves most instruc-
tive. Without, however, going at present to the bot-
tom of things, WO are happy to have to show that the
Chief of the State is no less anxious for the prosperity
of France than for her glory and her honour."
The following is from the &Me
"The new system constitutes a Goma fide revolution
in the politico-economical system of France and of the
other European Powers. There is one part of this letter
which may be approved without reserve—that which
proposes the suppremiiiin of the duties levied on certain
raw materials, the progressive reduction of tie: duties on
sugar and coffee, this iinprovenient of the means of coin-
suunication, the sale of a part of the communal proper-
ties, loans to agriculture and industry, the replanting of
the mountains, irrigation, and works of public utility.
The suppres.don of prohibitions, to be replaced by pro-
tecting duties, the conclusion of treaties of commerce
with the other Powers of Europe,raise questions so com-
plicated and difficult that they can only be properly
solved after careful study. The suppreseion of prohibi-
tions is undoubtedly an homage to an excellent princi-
ciple ; but iii effecting these changes we cannot overlook
the tact that large capitals And the entire fortunes of
many are in manufactures which have not hitherto been
exposed to competition. They will consequently require
to be protected for some time yet, in order to save them
from total ruin. We have often expressed our opinions
on the Customs question. The grand object we have in
view is liberty of commerce, but to be attained gradu-
ally, as our manufacturers shall become able to dispense
with protection. The spirit of progress, which actuate*
us in all things, will be our guide in discussing the dif-
ferent bills which will be submitted to the Legislative
Body ; and, while we readily accept all possible im-
provements, we shall remember, in the interest of our
manufactures and our national wealth, the Lotto verse
attributed to Louis XVIII. :