The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-30

sut in good stiif constitutional letter for the
reueal of the Missouri line root and branch and
.sit will run like the cholera" Where, oh !!
where, is John Van Buren,?
LOUIS NAPoIEoN.-The part played by the
French Emperor in the political drama which
seems likely to terminate in 30 serious de-
nsuemeat has been characterized throughout by
tAe most coDsummate skill and sagacity. He has
astonished and COMPOUNDED the veteran diplo-
Datists Of the Nesselrode school by the extent
Of his foresight the rapidity and certainty Of
his combinations, and his prompt appreciation
- the eventualities of the European imbroglio,
he saw from the first that its Gordian COM
plexities could only be unravelled by the sword,
and for that issue he has accordingly been long
and steadily preparing. Whilst the other
Powers have been trusting to the virtues Of
protocols and the chances Of Providence, ne has
been quietly adding to his forces and measuring
his strength for the approaching struggle
The career of this extraordinary man may be
said to be almost without parallel in history.
He has reversed the axiom applied to great
minds by the Latin poet, for in adversely he
was contemplate, whilst in prosperity he has
aisplayed qualities of the highest order. Other
princes have, by their courage and constancy,
survived the reverses Of fortune and the morti-
fsation of defeat; but few, like him, have out
lived the force of ridicule. The contrast be-
tween Philip drunk and Philip sober finds in
him striking illustration, for at one time he
was the butt and laughing stock Of Europe, and
he is now the arbiter of its destinies.
It is a singular revolution Of the wheel
chances which presents to us in the person of
the same individual such extremes Of fortune
and such opposite characteristics. What
practical satire, too, it furnishes on the inata-
bility of institutions which have no foundation
tn popular affection and respect. The needy
adventurer and gambler Of yesterday is the
autocrat Of mems liberties to- day-the central
pivot, in fact, on which the whole political ma
chipery of Europe turns
Life of strange contradictions how many
hopes and fears, how many aspirations OF en-
shaved hearts, are bound up with your dark and
Questionable future? Although Graded in
despotism, you had popular origin-matured
In adversely, you developed popular instincts.
Will your future course confirm or belle those
Indications?
This is the question that naturally suggests
itself when we reflect on the opportunities for
good or for evil that Providence, in it's inscruta-
BE wisdom, has thrown into the French Empe-
rer's hands, IF he be true to his recorded opin-
Ions if he be true even to the policy Of his
roche may yet wipe out the offences that he
has committed against the liberties Of his coun-
Try by helping to burst the bonds that fetter the
enslaved populations Of the continent.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF MoBs.-Those who seek
to found conclusions unfav orable to the spirit
and stability Of our institutions on the riots
that occasionally break out in our large cities
must take very superficial view of our politi-
cal and social condition. Damnant guod non
tnteligunt All these local and sectional dis
turbances usually take place In the intervals Of
political calm that occur between the Presi-
Dental elections During the heat of party
contests they are lost sight Of in the conflicts Of
more important interests. They are generally
got up by vain and INSCRIPTIONS individuals
who seek to attain bad pre-eminency by ap
pealing to the religious or local jealousies Of
different sections of our countrymen. These
cases, however, are merely sporadic, and indi-
cate no constitutional unsoundness. In des-
potic, or even comparatively free country, like
ing symptoms-as the precursors Of revolution
the oonvulsive throes and upheavings Of the
enslaved and down trodden masses writhing I'M
der the iron heel Of oppression. Whether their
Dreximate causes were to be traced to the en-
eroachments Of capital upon the rights Of labor,
ne growth Of gigantic monopolies, or the sup
preston Of the privilege Of free discussion,
their occurrence would be regarded as equally
pregnant with danger to the established order
Of things With us, however, the case ID differ
emit. These occasional outbreaks may be said
10 be inevitable incidents in our political sys-
tenn They are merely the abuses of that lati-
tade Of opinion and action which is the birth
night Of every American citizen; and however
troublesome and lnoonvenient they may some
times prove, we have the consolation Of know
ing that hey can never assume any but . local
and exceptional character. Whenever they be-
come dangerous to the public peace there is
suficienE practical common sense and spirit in
the community to render them at all times
ready to apply the strong argument Of force
when other remedies fail.
II the philosophers and king-worshippers Of
Europe, who make these riots . subject of re-
roach against republican institutions, were to
examine more narrowly into their origin, they
would find that, instead Of affording any real
ground for assailing them, they only reflect
hack the evils that disgrace their own forms Of
government. In nine cases out Of ten these dis
tirbances are to be traced to foreign elements
imperfectly absorbed into the homogeniety of