The Express.
London, England, 1860-03-12 00:00:00

LONON, MONDAY. MARCH 12.

Tat Emperor of the Fattecti has chosen a sin,
solar time—a time in which the world as looking
for deeds and passing judgment on them according
as they are good or bed—tor publishing a remodelled
theory of Universal Suffrage. It can hardly be a
passion for abstract speculation which has led his
MA 1 ttct T back to this subject. The reposition of the
Furrows as • prectioal statesman will compel
people to seek out some connexion between the
dogma reposuded and the exigencies of Imperial
policy. M.I3I4IIIDGCILMT has been instructed to
contest is the Cewstittitiotesel the validity of the
vote by which the people of Tuscany are at this
moment uniting their dostioy with that of Pied-
moot, and for this purpose to maintain that it
has nothing binding in it, because It relates to
something beyond the frontiers of the Stays
Universal suffrage—such is the argument—can
only be applied to the internal affairs of a country,
and cannot serve to modify the exercise of the sove-
reign power in relation with foreign affair', nor for
the aggrandisement of a territory. A false est/m-
-ai= of its principles may become an important DOOMS
"of trouble. and dangers to Europe." Appreciating
at its fall value the anxiety of the Imperialist writer
for the tranquillity and safety of Europe, let us im-
partially examine his doctrine.
If the question debated in Tommy were whether
the State should be constituted with one Represen-
tative Chamber or with two. the validity of a (loci-
sloe by universal suffrage would be irrefragable.
Bat if, instead, the people undertake, not simply
to regulate the exercise of their franchisee,
bet to place their liberty and their very political
existence under the protection of the only Prisms
able or willing to su"our them, their resolutios
is denounced to Europe as worthless. Let us look at
the subject from another aide. The French joursals
have repeatedly told us that the poor people of
Savoy ardently long to share the happiness of Impe-
rial France. The importunities of the French
Government have induced Count Cavouk to advise
his Sov IKE GN to consult the inhabitsole
of that province on the subject. At this
moment a proclamation by the Kino's Government
is posted in all the parishes of Savoy, notifying that
the inhabitants will be called upset to vote for the
maintenance of the union with the monarchy of
Sardinia or for tion to France, according to
the fors prescribed by Firliansest. Now, amosliogrl
to M. Gasnaautttafs rule, that universal Mirage
can only be applied to the internal affairs of the
country, it follows that, should the Savoyards vote
for remaining as they are, their vote will be good,
since it concerns only the voters in their relations
with their fellow-citizens; but, that if they should
vote for annexation with France, their TIMM weight
be thrown away. This is not our segsmat f bat it
is the fair development of that of M.OLutootrium.
Bat the hostility of the French Goverment to
universal suffrage dose not end here. We publish to-
day the despatch in which Count CAVOUIt replies, on
behalf of the Mao, to that in which M. Tuouvartzt
bad requested has bardinian Msjeety to give up
Savoy and rice to France, on the ground that, " se-
" cording to historic trsditions, the formation of a
" strong kingdom beyond the Alpe would be unfavour-
" able to the interests of France." Count Caton& does
not discuss the question how far France may insist
that her neighbours shall be weak in order that
she may be strong. Neither does he point ma that
if France is not safe with a traria, population of,
36,000,000, still less can Piedmont, with a population
of only 9.000,000, affrid to part with military
poeitiono, and the most military rues to be found
on her soil. His answer is marked with calmness
and dignity. He says that for even greater advan-
tage* than any which his Government expos,
the Ktea would not bargain away the ter
ramies which have for ages formed the glorious
appanage of his House. But he is not namiudfal of
the altered situation io which events la Italy have
placed the people of Savoy and MOP, sad will imam-
fuse to the people of those provinces the same Minty
to dispose of themselves as he claims for the peopluel
Central Italy. They shall have an oppotissity at
freely declaring their will, and notwithstanding the
stroog regret which the Xlau would feel if a people