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 IN the nature of things be lastng 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
10 Germany. An ominous silence reigns through
out the whole of that country. Berlin occupies
position of passive resistance Vienna is still in
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 commandant of Vienna, has
been shot by order OF the heartless Windschgratz,
the Emperor's mlnion, who, with an atrocity that
has seldom been equalled, 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 Illustrous mar
tyrs have. in a similar way, forfeited their
lives in the cause which they undertook
but as sure as they have fallen, so sure will
tnelr DEANS De dVengeu, anu 50 sure Will uCs'
pot Re the nearer to his own downfall. In Berlin
The Assembly maintains the position which 1t &C.
cupied at the previous dates. The members
have been frequently dispersed by the military,
bu, succeeded in passing resolution prohibiting
the collection und payment of taxes This is
highly important movement, inasmuch as 1t re-
dpoes the powers that be to an extremity which
they are lily prepared to meet, and viii :.euu, sooner
or later, if persisted in to unite the whole of Ger
many In one grand democratic offensive and de-
fenslve 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
fluence the country IN his favor and secure his
election; but from present appearances, they will
not succeed in overthrowlng 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 1t 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
electing 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 proportlonably 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 a
man Of very ordinary ability, and were 1t not for
The halo Of glory attached to his name, we ques-
ton very much il he would have been referred
20 IN connection with the presidency. His cleo
ION will, undoubtedly, favor the progress of re.
publicsnsm IN Europe; and as long as universal
suffrage prevails in France, we do not think he
will have il IN his power to cause much injury 10
that country. We are extremely deslrous to zee
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
of government by the 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 v It'll 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-
victon 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
20 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 brough, by tins steamship