The Sun.
London, England, 1867-01-21 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY, JAN. 21, 1867.

The French EMPEROR is a man of so much
judgment and acts so very warily in all he does
that his words possess double the meaning which
they otherwise would from his high position and
influence. The letter which his Majesty has ad-
dressed to the Minister of State, and which bears
date from the Palace of the Tuileries, January 19,
is therefore certain to attract interest and attention,
and more especially so as it relates to Reforms in
France. EVer since the period when the present
EMPEROR assumed his present responsible duties
this has been a very vexed question indeed,
and yet all the ardent expectations that the
lovers of liberty have formed have been doomed to
disappointment. in a great measure, if not entirely,
while irritation and indignation have hardly re-
strained themselves in strict limits in many direc-
tions. It seems, then, high time that some change
should be made, and that the general progress of
men's minds should be allowed a more full and free
development than they can ever hope to gain under
the present regime. The letter in question com-
mences by considering whether or not the institu-
tions of France have reached the " limit of improve-
ment," or if they are to have new improvements.
Until now the Minister has had enough to do in
silencing " inopportune" demands, while for the
EMPEROR. has been reserved the task of initiating
such reforms as necessity should demand. He now
considers that the moment has arrived for giving a
new extension to public liberties without interfering
with the power intrusted to him by the nation,
and also that it will be expedient to let the institu-
tions of the Empire become fully developed. No
one can deny that the French EMPEROR is a
master of composition, and that he seizes
adroitly upon the very expressions and
phrases which may beat suit the case be-
fore him, and serve to illustrate his meaning:
Thus he remarks that to " govern is to profit by,
the experience of what has been acquired, and to,
'foresee the wants of the future." Like many other
philosophical politicians he does not always succeed
in putting his precepts into practice, but at the same
time his language is full of point, and might be
copied with advantage by any one in his position
as a guide to others, and an exponent of their
own intentions. The decree of the 24th No-
vember, 1860, is, said to have been intended to
associate more closely with the Government the
Senate and the Corps Legislatif, but the desired
end has not been answered by the debates which
have been held on the address, for the consequence
has been that public opinion has been needlessly
excited, and a loss of time. occasioned to the affairs
of the country. Therefore it is now deemed advis-
able to substitute for this the privilege of putting
questions to the Government. While we think that
or
aen.
rnfi
3duonsrei f
Gnt
punctuallyllho allTet
some great advantages may probably accrue to the
French people from these proposed changes, we
may well pause to consider the great difference that
exists between the customs of England and France,
and wonder at the absurdity of those who are always
ranking other countries higher than our own, and
mistaking
imight
nti gsahwprit
uasd causeeutanoai
cinGfduiooet e
srivba
eatteritef fonednme.oc
on the
nvtituthhhnmeattiuAul:s.d
ott d
rhubwel
eedyhs
se, Al,te,
Senate,
this letter,
and
cist ignorant
hauyeersifet
"nisltetrisshaolsuold b e intended,sent t 0 sayst h e
regulated?" ga ut 1
the
e
the Corps Legislatif to take part in certain debates,
and this by virtue of a special commi • ssion. It ap-
pears that the Constitution does not admit of any
"solidarity" among the Ministers, but Rld • kes them
dependent upon the chief of the State only.
The most important change indicated, however,
is
is that relating to the Press. A law isto
posed for the purpose of " assigning the jurisdic-
tion over offences against the press law
exclusively
to the Correctional Tribunals, and thus suppress
the discretionary power of the Government." It
is also intended to regulate legislatively the right
of assembly, while restratiing it within thcise hats
which public safety demands. The EMPEROR con-
cludes his impressiye letter by declaring that
he :.said last year that his Government de-
sired to walk upon ground consolidated and
capable of 'sustaining power and liberty. "By the
measures I have just pointed out, adds he, "my
words becOme realised. Ido not shake the ground
which fifteen years of calm and prosperity have
consolidated, but I increase the strength by render-
ing my relation with the great public powers more
intimate by securing to the citizen by law fresh

guarantees-by completing the crowning of the
edifice erected by the national will." While it
is impossible as yet to judge very definitely
as to the nature of the proposed altera-
tion, it is in all probability to be expected
that they will be received at present with
satisfaction, and that further on they may be, found
to have conduced to the national progress and pro-
sperity. The laws which have restricted the press
have been most vexatious and irksome, and as all
the obstructive policy has been carried on by Go-
vernment, it has of course had the odium of being
most directly connected and concerned with the
oppression. Under the.new order of things it may
be possible :for a better state of feeling to exist, and
for more general improvements to be carried out
in the workings of the laws. We hope and trust
that this may prove only the foreshadowing
of more extensive and' comprehensive reforms, and
that the.EurEßoll, having begun the work, will not.