The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-19

in the kingdom who asserts it.. We are not consi-
dering any terms conditions on which peace must
depend, for none such have been prof. posed. We are
simply deciding in our minds whether state with
which We have long preserved and still maintain
the NEST friendly relations. aud whose material IN
terests are inextricsby connected with our own,
VIII suddenly make hostile descent upon us, and
whether the probability of such an occurrence is
great enough to call for defensive preparations be-
yond those already existing. Such is the case be-
fore us, and 1t is surely uncomfortable homage
to the doctrines Of peace that this should DO the
utmost latitude permitted to question of war Let
us examine the matter without fear or favor.
Everybody must recognise the redit, not to say
the dangers OF needless alarms On one side, false
security on tho other. What becomes us is dis
passionate and reasonable conclusion fcou the evil
dence at hand
In the first place, it must be remembered that
this is not the first on which apprehensions
have been created -Four years ago there existed
in France royal throne, and this throne was
filed by monarch exceeding powerful for purposes
OF foreign war. Around him was grouped amily
Of sons who symbezed tho m artial spirit OF their
nation One of them even carieatured it. He
affected q disdain for life and peace as compared
with glory. plunged eagerly into every combat
the plan Of naval campaign against perfdious
Albion. Subjects of difference were not wanting
in diplomatic way, between the two cabinets,
and, though the French hlpg was indeed surround
ed with q council of responsible statesmen, having
characters to lose and regulations to maintain in
the eyes of Europe, we are now positively assured
that war was more than once on the point of
actually breaking out Yet there was no war
Louis Philippe descended upon English shores only
as fugitive, and the Prince de Joinville ought to
have learned ia the asylum of Caremont, to apprec
ate the sentiments Of those whom he would fain
have made enemies. but whose genuine sy mpathies
for his family and his countrymen are no " brought
against them as reproach. few months after
came deluge. The throne Of France was swept
away, and In its place arose an appariton charged
with every historical ausury of blood and war.
Once more there was French republic "a ccea-
ton which it was impossible to separate from ag-
gressions, commissions, onslaughts, conhlgrations,
and every species of political catastrophe. Any
person might have been pardoned for assuming that
when the Hotel de Vile became the seat of prov-
sional government-when Paris was again organized
into sections, and Liberte, Egalite, and Ffaternh
were again paraded on its banners, the maintenance
OF peace would be an absolute impossibility. Yet
peace was preserved still; aud though it may be
said, perhaps, that the republic was too quickly
proved no republic at all to leave much room Tor its
natural Development, the very cabinet of February
the nominees of the barricades-was un animous
if we may trust M. de Lamartine's Memoirs, in the
reputation Of war Presently, the control of affairs
passed into the hands OF military statesmen-vsrta-
BILE African generals-soldiers whose rank had been
won In savage warfare, and whose laundering for q
blow ut England was said to be proverbial; but
to have even made proposition of descent but if
ever he did 80, 1t was not enter tanned, and neither
Cavaignac nor a Changarnier, any more than
DAumaie or Joinyile, experienced the grati6ca-
fraught with more peril to its neighbors than ever
Are there elements in its present administration
more calculated to create apprehensions than the
intrigues OF faithless monarch, or the spasmodic
caprices of republic
The New French Ministry and Senate,
From the London Times, Jan Isl
The choice OF the persons who have Just been ga
zetted in the Woner, to the dignity Of the Senate
under the new constitution of France, or to the
more lucrative places in the council Of State affords
the proper criterion Of the progress made by Louis
Napoleon in conciliatisg the higher classes of the
French nation. 1t cannot surprise US, after the
events OF the last few weeks, and especially after
tne extraordinary DEGREES promulgated On the 23d
mat the composition Of these bodies is
OF lower Character than had been anticipated,
ana tnat some OF the most important names which
were to have hgurea IN them have been perempto.
fay wisndfawn We Soak in vain in what remains
for men OF independence Or of fixed pripcipIes IL
these are the councils of the future empire. thew
are formed of the dross and scum of the monarchv.
With the addition Of the relatives and personal ad
herents OF Louis Napoleon. we find in the list of the
Senate seventeen generals occupying Q secondary
rank in the army, sixteen members Of the
ex. Chamber Of Peers, illustrious only BY
Ineir DiIth, fourteen members Of the late
Representative Chambers, three admrals, and nine
teen other persons-some men of science, some
Juriss, and some taken from the humber grades of
the administration. There is an obvious attempt,
winch is sufficiently ludicrous in form of govern
ment calling itself republic, and Laying claim to
pure democratic origin, to give this Senate an
aristocratic complexion The hereditary titles az
nobility, abolished by a decree of the provisional
government, were restored and revived day or two
before this list of titled and senatorial persona pes
was promulgated; and more attention seems TO have
been paid to the euphony of the catalogue than to
the intrinsic merit or Importance of the individuals
tnus designated There are names in France as
great as that of the Duke of Buckingham, and With
40 little meaning and this list is the place to find
them. But with half dozen exceptions in point Of
name, ana o. name only, the genuine wealth and
n IN mi nknd j.
assembly, than the intellect Of her statesmen or the
spirit OF her people The distinction most eagerly
sought after ~ the great has been to avoid appear
the country, who consented to sacrifice their OWE
opinions on the proclamation of the republic. have
resisted every attempt to enlist them in assemblies
80 aosoiutely dependent On the executive power.
1et tnougn we respect tho reluctance shown by
men OF character and eminence to share in any de-.
gree the honors derived from such source. Il Il de.
sisole for the general interests of France and of
Europe, tnat the Senate should be SO constituted
Us TO exercise with some authority and effect the
extensive powers vested in it by the constitution
AS nj Dupin observes in his bold and forcbe letter
upon the Orleans confscation-a letter which goes
stain which clouds his reputation as a politician
Wnen tho Senate is constituted If it is to have auy
powers at ALL they must extend to protect tho laws
nom inc violence Of the executive, to defend pro-
might be well on public grounds, if the Senate.
participating to some extent in the supreme power.
mad been 80 constituted as to place at least some
gentle limit % the arbitrary proceedings Of the 20
vernment. In reality, however, these bodies are
Tor ornament, not for use. The titles, the costume
The pensions to be conferred by the President at his
peasure, arc SO many pledges of "a privileged caste:
ne more devoted to the government, the more they
aie estranged from the people. But when We are
od OF the untness of tho French nation for parlia
mentary government, we confidently point 10 the
contrast IN ability and character between the repre-
sentative assemblies Of the late monarchy, or of
me republic, and the nomiueea of tha n-osort
uler OF France. Such an institution as the new
senate might have derived importance and ucility
rom the persons VINO consented to Join IL; but We
eek IN vain here fer the names of men who can
If its own. " -''"
The letters Of NJ. dc Mcntalembcrt and NJ. Du.
no, although they are, Of course, denied ppblica-
Ion IN rance, are the most powerful comment, on
he policy of the government employed in foundirg
nese institutions. Instead of conciliating men OF
Diverse or hestating opinions, the late DEGREES of