The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-06-30

graceful conduct at elections, and the shocking
| enormities of the politicians. Louis Philippe
himself and Guizot, perchance Duchatel, are
generally admitted to be pure in morals, elevated
above the herd of the day but all the statesmen
and politicians of France are acknowledged to
be the most corrupt and mercenary in Europe
Political corruption, it is called, is the very
system of the existing government in France,
and it is of shade deeper and more shameless
than ever can exist in England or the United
States. Indeed, the only way in which popu-
lar government can be made comparatively pure
and honest, is the principle of universal suffrage.
Into popular vote of four or five millions, no
party or faction can introduce corruption suf-
ficient to affect the 1t is like attempt to
sully the ocean by throwing into it bucket of
dirty water. But universal suffrage in France or
England, even an extension of the suffrage in
the former of 100000 votes, would almost, if
not entirely, upset and put an end to the present
dynastes of both. Hence, in both countries, the
strong opposition made to any extension of the
elective franchise.
In France, no other system of government
could exist for month, but the present one,
which is composed of equal proportions of mill
the press has certain ideal liberty but it never
can lead to any practical result under the present
regime. The whole Partisan press has not the
slightest influence on the Chamber of Deputies.
M. Guizot can remain minister and control
majority, as long as the King chooses to keep
him. Personally, Guizot is the most pure, al
most the only pure statesman in France. He may,
indeed, tell that which is not strictly true In the
tribune but lying is talent in European politics.
He will not sully his name with brides, places,
or pensoners--in fact, he is only half French
man in politics.
Nothngscan disturb the present government, or
the repose of France but some terrible popular
insurrection in Paris, which may infect the mill
tary and the civil legions in the pay of the 60
vernment. 1t was detection of this kind which
caused the revolution of 1880. Such an event is
not likely to take place in the life time of Louis
Philippe, who is cautious, cunning, and eminent
" discreet in all his conduct. He will never
venture upon any coup d'etat, as his predecessor
did. Yet Louis Philippe is not popular, except
among those whom he controls. Whenever he
goes out, he drives like the devil, and is sur
rounded with quantities of picked guards. He
is almost state prisoner in his palaces. His
power over the French mind is Intellectual
They submit to what they believe to be his SUI
perior energy and talent. But at his death, strange
times may take place. His successors will be the
DUO de Nemours, as Regent, and his grandson,
the Count de Paris, boy of nine years ofage, as
King. The first thing that will take place, on the
death of the King, will be breaking up of the
factions in the Chambers and contest among
the different leaders. The press and the popular
impulses will then come into play, and no one
can calculate the result. Already party is form
ing to give the Regency to the Duchess of Or
leans, the mother of the heir apparent, and to
take it away from the Due de Nemours. If the
Orleans family divide and form different factions,
they are gone forever, and France will have
another revolution. Nemours, himself, is very
unpopular, and has already given strong indica-
tons of returning to the ideas and customs of
the elder Bourbons He is attempting to revive
and re-organize a court circle on the plan of the
last century, and has already prescribed the dress
which is to be worn at his balls. This is laughed
at in all the salons of Paris and ridcule is ter
rible and efficient weapon in French politics.
In fact the present dynasty, the existing govern
ment in France, is only provisional, or tenn
pOrary.