The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-03
from the New York Hcrald]
Foreign News-The Presidential Election


The steamship Europa, the arrival Of which has
been so anxiously looked for reached this port yes
,erdny, bringing two weeks later news from The old
world
By this intelligence we are informed that Prince
Louis Napoleon has been elected President of the
new French republic, by IN Overwhelming majority
over all other candidates. II Is computed that he
received sixty per cent Of all the votes cast in the
election. while his principal opponent, General Ca
vaignnc, received but twenty-five per cent Louis
con- therefore is the President elect OF the
French republic, and was, at the last accounts, TAX
ing measures 10 form cabinet or ministry. In re-
publican countries, the greatest ordeal which they
have to pass through Is that Of general election by
universal suffrage II such election be conducted
peaccably and ordery--if the voters are conscious
that in deposting their ballots Tor the man Of their
choice, they perform grea, public duty, and, to a
certain extent hold she future destiny Of their coun
try in their hands, then there is much TO hope II,
on the contrary. they indulge In disorderly and riot
Gus conduct and give Themselves up 10 excuses ~
a time when the discharge of such an important du-
" deyo,ves upon lhem then, indeed, there - no
hope How has II been with the people of France,
In their recent great election for President! From
The accounts which have come 20 hand, the great
number of nearly five millions of persona of all class
es vacations and parties, deposited their ballots in
u manner quiet and most orderly. In no single de-
partment-in no CITY, town, Image, oI hamiet,
there occurred single breach of the peace as far
we can learn. When we take into consideration tho
circumstances under which this election was held
the numerous factions ana paftles ana clups winch
existed throughout the country, and especially in
Paris the capitalize volatile and mercral DISPOSE
zion attributed to the French people, and tho novel
" of the thng-iron these VIC think there is every
reason TO believe lha, the French republic is safe
for the people have proved themselves capable Of
.ef- Government With lie, in the United States, we
look upon presidential election being conducted
quietly and In an orderly manner, as matter Of
course because such election is Of periodical
currence; but in France, at such time and on
such nn OCCASION II must be looked upon in differ
ent light and Judged by different standard. What
can that Judgment be, then, when me hfst eiecnoi
lar President in that country has been marked with
n peaceabencss u moderation and determination
10 preserve order, which equals II not exceeds, in
those respects a similar occasion ia tho United
Stat,s The ntoplc OF France have performed their
mart noblv and for tho moderation aud good sense
which they have exhibited in TINS preserving order,
they have assumed and are well entitled 70 hold,
position of high cminence, and have claim on the
gratitude Of the friends Of freedom throughout me
world
There Is another interesting feature connected
with this election in France which Is worthy Of be-
ing commented upon. We ulldde 10 the magnitude
Of the aggregate deposited for the several can
didntes which il as great proportion the amour,
of population that thrown in the United States on
similar occasions, ig not greater According 10 the
returns Of our last presidential election the whole
number of votes was, two millions eight hundred and
,ghty-one thousand Two hundred and scyenty-twc
from a population OF say twenty millions. In France
with a population of ihrty-tiye millions, the vote
will exceed FIVE millions. This proves conclusycly
that the electors IN the latter country took inter
est in their election, and TINT almost every man pos
scssing the requisite qualifications exercised Ills
newly acquired righi--that Di suffrage. Ii VIC put
those things together the order which Characterized
The election and The greatness OF the number OF votes
we think there Is much 70 hope for the great French
republic and her future career and Influence on the
rest OF Europe.
We have no room for comment ot spycuiation ae TO
the course Of policy which the President elect OF
France will pursue after his Inauguration The tri
umphant majority by which lie has been elected IN
the Department OF the Seine, embracing the capital
as well US throughout France over all competitors
may we think apart from the halo attached TO the
name OF Napoleon, be considered a Reputation BY
tile masses Of the people Of the policy put in prac-
tice by General Cavaignac during the last few months
What line OF conduct he win pursue, we can Judge
only by the manifesto which lie published previous
10 hjs election. We shall watch with great interest
the proceedings Of that country from this time for
ward and follow the new President step by step,
throughout his term.
The report OF the flight of bis Holiness the Pope
from Rome is confirmed He left in the disguise OF
King OF Naples. a committee has been appointed
10 wait on him, and solicit his return but we have
not heard of his reply. After his flight he issued
Protest, declaring an theacts which led 10 his fight
AMI the subsequent government proceedings null and
void II Is difficult to predict what the upshot Of
the matter will be- There is talk Of The greater
powers interfering between him and his subjects and
Ieinstntiny him in his temporal power
. The itnbeelc Emperor Of Austria has abdcated in
favor OF his nephew, who mounts the throne on
the principles q reform, and Of the extension OF ber
~. rms may By step towards the crisis which Is
approaching 10 Germany
We are grained tina, postal arrangement has been
effected between tho United States and Great Britain
and that treaty mas been executed which needs bu,
thersfea'ion Oh inc Amefean Senate, to be In force.