The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-15
The Foreign News.

The Foreign News.
The steamship Canada arrived at this port yes.
terday, at an early hour, bringing us one weeks
later intelligence from the cd world
The continent of Europe is, on the whole, in
state of quIescence; but it is repose which can
not the nature of things, be lasting; for the ball
of democracy has been put In motion, and WILL
sooner or later, traverse the whole of that part of
the world. This remark applies with great force
70 Germany. An ominous silence reigns through.
out the whole of that country. Berlin occupies
position of passive resistance Vienna is still in
a state of siege; but almost every town Is ready
to initiate those cities In the course which they
pursued, and emulate the deeds which brought
them to the condition which they are now H.
Meantime, in Vienna the work of death goes on
Messenhauser, the commandaut of Vienna, has
been shot by order OF the heartess Windischgratz,
the Emperor's mlnon, who, with an atrocity that
has seldom been equaled, refused to suspend the
execution of the sentence of death until the
Emperors reply to a petition TO spare his life
could be received. Other lllustnous mar
tyrs have. in similar way, forfeited their
lives in the cause which they undertook !;
but as sure as they have fallen, sure will
their deaths be avenged, and so sure will the des
pot he the nearer to his own downfall In Berlin
The Assembly maintains the position which 1t &C.
cuped at the previous dates. The members
have been frequently dispersed by the military,
but succeeded in passing resolution prohibiting
the collection and payment of taxes This is
highly important movement, inasmuch a. it re-
dpoes the powers that be to an extremity which
they are lily prepared to meet, and WI. :e,u, sooner
or later, if persisted in to unite the whole of Ger
many In one grand democratic offensive and de-
fensive confederacy.
The excitement in France, growing out of the
near approach of the presidential election, Is on
the increase, and will probably continue so until
that great event shall have taken place. The
friends Of Cavaignac are doing their utmost to in
fuence the country IN his favor and secure his
election; but from present appearances, they will
not succeed in overthrow1ng the great influence
which Prince Louis Napoleon possesses over the
minds of the masses. AS the day Of election
gets nearer, the Princes influence seems to aug
ment, and his election to the presidency seems
more probable than ever. II was considered at
one time that Lamartine would not be candidate;
but he is-making three the field for the office OF
President This will add still further to Napo-
Icons chances, and will probably be the means of
electlng him. The disclosures which have been
made of Cavaignac's conduct in the movements
which led to the terrible revolution of June, have
lessened him very much in the estimation of his
countrymen, and have proportonably augmented
the chances Of Napoleon. At present it would
seem that every days changes in France favored
the probability of Napoeon's election, and we
have no doubt that that individual will be the first
President of the French republic. Fears are
entertained that if the Prince be elevated
10 that high office, he will seek to be emperor at
no distant day, and follow as near as can be the
example of his illustnous relative in times past
but we think without good foundation. Thus tar.
at all events, the prince has shown himself to be
man Of very ordinary ability, and were 1t not for
the halo Of glory attached to his name, we ques-
ton very much if he ever would have been referred
20 In connection with the presidency. His cleo
Ion will, undoubtedly favor the progress of re.
pubIicsnism IN Europe; and as long as universal
suffrage prevails in France, we do not think he
will have II In his power to cause much injury 10
that country. We are extremely desirous to see
the election terminated; for if that event were over
peeceably and quietly, we think the French repub.
lie would be safe, and that every year afterwards
would witness the establishment of similar form
Oh government Dy tue people OF other countries.
until the whole OF Europe would be great family
of republics, and in the enjoyment Of all the rights
privileges, and blessings which self-government
coniers on mankind such as we see and expe.
rience in the United States. AS soon as this cleo
ton shall have taken place, TIE democrats of Ger
many will be animated with new hopes, and be
fortified 18th renewed strength. Let Germany
and France be republics, and the res. of Europe
will soon fall into the ranks.
From Ireland there is nothing very special
Emigration is taking of all who are able to leave
its chores, and fever and famine threaten to COM
init their ravages on those who remain. The con-
vcton Of Martin has been affirmed, on appeal to
the judges; and preparations were being made, at
the date Of the last accounts TO make final appeal
TO the House Of Lords. His case assumes double
importance, from the fact that the grounds on
which he made his appeal are the same as those
relied upon by Smith O'Bnen and others, for
reversal Of the judgment passed upon them at the
special commission.
The tenor Of the news brought, by this steamship