Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-03-25
FROM OUR EUROPEAN coRRE PoNDENE
LONDON. FEBRUARY "a, 1913.

LONDON, FEBRUARY "a, 1913.
Every day adds confirmation 10 the opinion that
a crisis is al hand in Europe, which will more or
less reform or revouonize the political Institutions
of nearly every country on that continent. hide
pendent Italy has almost completed the initiative
step in this good work time alone IS wanting to
consolidate and perfect il. If we 90 10 the extreme
east OF Europe, we fad. even in Turkey, greater
changes in existence and in progress than could
have been anticipated from the genius OF her rell-
gion and the absolute, and, until lately, arbitrarily
exerted rover OF her Sovereign. Greece has, pro-
badly, already institutions far too liberal IN theory
and too much ahead of the capacity OF her people,
to be brought into udcious and advantageous prac-
tee at present. Returning westward, we find IN
the Austrian empire abundant proofs OF the exist
ence OF great knowledge Of better state OF things,
and a strong desire so 10 apply that knowledge as
10 bring about salutary and neediul reormatory
results. If this knowledge has not yet penetrated
the Imperial and Ministerial salons OF Vienna, II IS
all-powerful in lis operations in Hungary, Bohemia,
Austrian Poland, and the Lombardo-s enetlan ter
rtories. This relofmatory principle has had no
trfng effect in Switzerland Il will soon be heard
and felt in Bavaria. II will not be satisfied with
the mere shadow Of constitution in Prussia. The
new King Of Denmark has thought il necessary TO
strengthen his rather precarious position, by anti
cipating, in some degree, the wants and wishes Of
his subjects. Sweden is continually wisely meet
ing, not opposing, the onward spirit OF the age.
Russia even autocratc, absolute Russia is not OPP
posing this spirit, either directly or indirectly.
Holland and Belgium quiet, happy, and pros
porous, ENJOYING the benefits OF institutions ant
laws modelled upon the feelings and the wants q
the age. and administered BY Sovereigns who are
100 wise and liberal 10 oppose those wants and
feelings. Spain and Portugal are an historical
blank as respects the great principles Of the age
or, IS Meuernich said Of Italy, mere geographical
positions. We speak with sorrow, in such terms
OF countries once 50 famous in the annals Of the
world.
FRANCE is in the height or depth, the result
may be- of transition state. Every where are the
people OF that great and influential nation calling ou
and exertng themselves peaceably for such reforms
in their institutions the progress OF events abun
dainty Justify, and the wants of the people require
France has population of 35,000.0O0 persons, Out
Of whom not more than 900 have votes IN the
election Of the POPULAR branch of their Legislature
Need any other fact be stated to show the necessity
Of a reform Certainly not, when il is added that
the number Of official persons connected with the
Government, independent Of the army and navy, Is
nearly five times many as that Of the electors.
France has increased her army very largely during
the last ten years in $50 she had $1,000 men
whole naval and military expenses Of Napoleon
were only three hundred and fifteen million francs
they are now, as NJ. Chevalier has lately shown
more than FIVE hundred and twenty millions. 1--WE
are rather inclined to think says the Economist
that the growing discomfort Of the French grount
down BY taxation, and oppressed, as we have Mr.
McCuloch's authority for stating, with debts;
discomfort that is now maniiesting itself through
out France-.nduced the French Government, a.
much as any apprehension Of England or any de
sire to inure it. to augment It's military forces.
Il is alleged that the administration Of NJ
GUIzoT secretly encouraged the reform banquets
even after some Of them, those at Dion and Autun
for instance had exhibited violent and REVOLUTIONARY
principles. This was done because Ministers though
that such excuses would strengthen their maJorlt.
in the Chamber. When the Parliament was open
ed, the fear Of these bsnques was brought TO oper
ate upon those Of their party who had exhiblte
symptoms Of discomfort with the Ministry. Vitu
perative phrases were introduced into the Roya
speech, and the banquets were characterized a
encouraging immoral passions and blind eRtLus'
aSn,s. This direct censure upon the on
hundred and seven Deputies who had assisted a
these banquets, which they were not disposed I
submit to tacitly, and consequently protraced an
highly exasperaed discussion took place upon IN
address. The Ministry victorious, but IN
fight was an arduous one, and the advantage gaine
not worth what it cost, for il ended with the Minis
terial majority being reduced 70 mere fragmer
(thirty-three) Of what il was when the debate com
menced.
A reform banquet was about to be held in tn
10Th reimbursement Of Paris. VI. Hebert, tn
Minister of Justice, announced the intention Of III
Government to prevent the holding Of this banqut
by force if necessary and dared the Deputies I
assist at it, Mr.. Odilon Barrot accepted the def
ance on the part Of the opposition, and dared tn
Administration to interfere with the banquet. Tn
law Of 1890, confirmed in 1884, which prohIoi'e
assemblies Of the people beyond a stated number
was nronounced an obsolete one, and such as n
Minister dare attempt to resusciiate at the presen
time. The following is an account Of The closin
Of the Debates in the French Chambers on TN
subject:
The point in dispute the cons,ituonaiy Of these Po
puIar assemblies which denied by the Minister an