The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-22
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.
From our new York Correspond snt.


New YoRK, January 10, 1859
Rew York Legislature -InUssigatioa Of ns Canal Lei
tulg.-Kossum RssoIuiions--1hs Late Election IN
Franee.-City Hsms-A Dark Lantern.
measure OF very great local importance has just
been adopted by the legislature OF New York, and one
which. IL carried out with rigid fidelity. may seriously
affect the prospects OF the great political parties which
now 50 equally divide the State The wing canal board
which went out OF Office with the last year, after much
bickenng and dispute among themselves succeeded in
awarding the canal contracts during the last two three
days OF their political existence AS there several
thousand bidders not more than one in half dozen OF
whom could be successful quite host disappont-
ed, and the natural result complaint protesation,
explanation, and general call for investigation. Ii is
boldly asserted that offers made by parties not only
competent TO fulfil the contracts but TO give good Sc
curty Tor their fuhlment, to perform, for six millions of
dollars In the aggregate the work for which the old
canal board have contracted TO pay their preferred favor
ties no less sum than nine millions II is also said that
these lat Jobs have been awarded great many instances
10 influential professional and politicians for
services rendered and to be rendered TO the wing party
the exclusion Of practical men, experienced and scien
hhc mechanics and engineers, who were acquainted
with the duties they proposed to assume, and who
offered to execute them at greatly reduced rate of
muneation. Under these circumstances, the legisla-
ture has passed series Of joint resolutions appointing
committee TO investigate the whole matter. with power
to send Tor persons and papers, and If the charges made
against the former board substanated, many OF the
contracts will doubtless be annulled, and blow inflicted
upon the wing party from which it will not easily re-
cover We are full believers not only in the policy, but
in the propey OF the selection by any party power of
persons OF its own political faith government contract
ors, provided they competent SAFE and will perform
the requisite service at fair rate OF compensation.
Our legislature has also passed the Kossuth resou
L.
ton The wings, free-soiers, and abolitoniss every
WHERE seem determined to appropriate the Magyars
and cause medium through which to introduce and
disseminate their peculiar tenets This is greatly to be
regetted and there is reason to appehend that the
suit will be far more injurious TO country and
its institutions than it will be beneficial to Kossuh and
Hungary The probability that shall have any op.
potunity for Intervention in behalf of the victims OF
oppression in Europe for long time to very
remote; but the danger of commnglng and revivfyng
the elements OF strife at home is close at hand as we
shall see, if the enemies OF peace succeed in
placing themselves at the head of popular movement,
no matter of what character.
The last steamer brings the general result of the
presidential election in France and if Kossuth's doctrine
that every nation has the ndefeasbe right of segov-
eminent be rue the charges of usurpaton which have
been rife against Louis Napoleon must fall to the
ground. What he may do hereafter, how he may gov
ern and whether his sword may be drawn in favor of
against the OF human rights, remains TO be seen
and it is but farespeciay in viewing the fact that
erroneous judgment in the premises has already been
pronounced against hmto wait, and give him chance
10 show his hand One thing is certain he is the law
full chief magistrate of France, and holds his high
mission by virtue OF stronger demonstration of the pop
ular will than any prince, poenate, or president who
bears the sway over any nation in the Old World or the
New. Say what we will OF the wisdom or discretion
of the French people in making choice OF such
OF their patriotism or epublicansm in sanctoning
such form OF government, there can be no question
but that in the exercise of their natural and ndefeasbe
right they have chosen the man, and they have estab
shed the form of government he proposed and that free
y and voluntarily. 1t is perfectly idle 10 cavil al
the manner in which the great question pro-
pounded to them, whether in regard to the steps
which the President took TO bring it before the
people, or the form in which he submitted his
proposition Neither the manner nor the form were such
would for moment be tolerated in this country; but
however Objectionable they may appear to us, because
wholly inappcabe to circumstances and situation
we have no right that account TO infer that they
wrong or unjusiifable in their application TO the French
who were very differently situated. Without entering
at all into detail lei glance for moment al the prom
nent points in the controversy between the President Of
the French and the National Assembly, which led to his
appeal to the people The French people had but recently
acquired liberty by a revolution Coeval with its acqui
stion the electoral franchise was extended the whole
population By universal suffrage they established
public, elected President and National Assembly
The representatives OF the people, chosen by universal
suffrage by legal enactment TO great extent deprived
their constituents OF this right and wrested the privilege
of the franchise from at least onehalf OF the voters Of
France The President demanded its restoration. The
legislature not only refused it, but manifested evident
disposition to depose the President. and thus TO deprive
the sole representative of the whole people Of the power
which they had vested in him for their protection Such
were the circumstances under which Louis Napoleon
took the responsibility of dssolvng the National Assem-
bly, and appealing to the people. 1t was fearful re-
sponsbilily: he had right TO do SO, other than ha
inchoate revolutionary right which in time oil
public peril, and which only becomes complete wher
sanctioned bv the subsequent assent OF the people, We
do not undertake TO justify him. but his constituents did
The French eope not only assened to, but approved OF
the measured he had taken, and they had not only thu
best opportunity but the best right TO Judge of his acts
II may be said that the President contended for unive
sal suffrage in order TO his reelection AID
hitting that to be SO. is any the less fundamental
right and was he TO refrain from endeavong TO restore
il TO the people because its restoration probably involve,
his reelection
peal to the people did not allow fair opportunity for the
expression of public opinion The objection is one o
great weight and although the plea Of expedency, anc
even OF apparent necessity may be urged IN justification
of the he adopted il would by no means constitute
satisfactory unless accepted, as il subsequently
was. by those principally concerned.
In word, we regard the coup dtat of Louis Napoleon
in all its parts, revolutionary measure which could