The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-05-28

lrt,.yl,N RnNyepn coast OrioE ana the
ES-pexor Sf chs rJencn.


lat..v.ow B.we.n coaat OrioT and the
Emperor of che fSench.
r.r IN taa lonccn >eFs, May y
count Orloff recently bad an audience OF the EN-
p. tor ask for explanations on tue SUBJECT OF the
treaty of April H. between England, France ana
Austria. me Russian plenipotentiary represented
10 BIS Majesty that this treaty, unexplained, was con-
stirred by his government as a symptom OF want OF
confidence in the good faith OF Russia. The Empe-
Tor Napoleon satested against any such interpreta-
iioD ah1 assured Count Orlof that he had only sign
ed the treaty in compliance with the wishes of Eng
LAID aud Austria, who desired to have pledge or
his good feeling toward them. Count Orof replied
with much yvacity as it was possible for dipo-
natist 10 exhibit in presence OF regning monarch,
that tie treaty Of peace OF March 80 efectualy Sc
cured the independence and integrity OF the Ottoman
empire, that the Emperor Napoleon had, before the
signing Of that treaty given strong assurances OF his
desire cultivate intimate relations with Russia and
that the unexpected step which had been taken was
calculated 20 SOW doubt and distust in the mind OF
his Imperial master
During this remarkable interview, the Emperor
Napoleon LII. preserved that calm and impene.rable
slemealsor tor which he Is remarkable, while Count
Qilof scarcely concealed the excitement and sur
prise which The new situation had produced il his
mind
DOR Paris correspondent observes:-" Although
tue above narrative comes 10 uie from O source ia
which have great eoDhuelee, eannot but leel the
l.sat difficulty OF reuOncitug il with oil that IS
known Of lie present policy of the French govern
emit, which, according TO outward signs is fayorl
ne to main mug the most friendly relations With
Rgssia. / am, however, struck with an observation
which has teen MADE 70 ne in answer to NJ. o1ec-
r'ons that ,he psbic has been more often THAI not
deceived wnen IL has verJured - Inter FROM premr
res, however apparently plain, what might be the
icxt step that Louis Napolean would take
sne Ersath totsrtefeaec with the Belgian
P.sss-l,s feci la Ensiand.
F.ou- hs LLd tiIne-, Ma /.
We have now had an opportunity Of learning, and
nave learned with very lively int est, the maGuer
IA which the intelligence OF the attack evel'sd, We
must say, no. only at tie press bat az the indepen
Aence OF Belgium has been eceved by the Legisla
trfe OF The mcnaced State, and are proud to say
that il was IN every way worthy or q noble coun
Try AID glorious cause. With deliberate and
meAsu, ed caiurless, with a studied moderation of
tone and an elaborate caHdor which did not, how
ever. conceal the deep emotion that lay beneath It,
Mr.. Otis member Ct the Belgian Chamt"r,
10 question the Minister OF Foreign Affa He
drew after ton 70 the 22d Protocol of IL sut
Conference, whi.h contained accusations H7t
Rclg.um ard tic Belgian press ohen--o 70
the national feeling and dignity, and spoke Of
the future as full Of apprehension He Id not seek
TO deny the excuses OF some members OF the Belgian
press, but he denied that their hostility shown
TO France alone, chat there the slightest dis
position TO guarantee IMMUNITY to such offences lie
pointed 10 the law Of 1852 having been intended
and having been sufficient 10 suppress the licen-
riOus writings complained Of in prints so obscure
GDd desiicable that their accusers did not even
venture to mention their names, and concluded
By asking the Cabinet three questions Whether
they had replied 10 the charges brought forward
IN the twenty second Protocol? Whether the French
government had demanded any changes in the Bel |
gian constitution? and whether, il such changes |
snould be demanded, they would be eccedcd to? |
The answer of VI. VilaiD the Minister Of Foreign |
Anaifs to these three questions, equally expll-
cit, firm aud satsfactory:-An answer HAD been pre-
pared, which would be sent az az the proceed.
ings Of rhc Conference had been received. No re-
quasi had been made by the Fren h government for
a change in the Belgian Constitution; aud il such
request were made, II would never be complied with.
The Chamber did not weaken the impressive nature
Of the scene, as own House or Commons proba-
bly, would have done, by folio wing up this short dis
iogue with long and rambling conversation, but
adjourned at once, leaving to the nation and to To-
reign nations - estimate for themselves, without |
any inpertLel. comments of their own, the dignity
Vi it deneanoy md the frnness Of its attitude.
w congratulate the Belgian people aad the Bel |
gicn government the manner in which they have
received tie attack needlessy levelled against
their dignity and Independence. This is the cha |
meter ard this the deioeanor which it is the habit
of self goyerrment 10 create When adverse cir I
cumatances threaten, the ministers Of despotic
govern men feel isolated in the midst Of the people
vhora they govern. They may CUES. what the sen
tlneIts Of tie nation may be, bat there Is no tn
bunC TO draw them forth, and press to express
them. reports ard proclamations, communicated
statements, ard essays that have passed through
sne SCISSORS of the censor, can but i'll supply the
want OF free nttc,anCe TO free audience, We hope
that Belgium will so on az she has begun, and |
that whatever peris her liberties may be subjected
TO- betra, by her chosen and appointed guardians
will never be added.
What makes the conduct of the Belgian Ministry |
and Chamber in this matter the more credtable is,
that the ministry is conservative and Roman Catho-
hc, and that, Of course, the majority Of the Cham
Der That supports them Is OF the same political and
religious opinions. Were the Belgian mind less
deeply tinctured with the noble sentiments Of ma
tional independence and aversion to foreign influence,
such an occurrence as the publication Of the I'D
Protocol might well have been laid hold OF by
party conservative and Roman Catholic for the pur-
pose dwelling blow at their political opponents
See, they might have said, what comes OF your
liberalism Your doctrines are inconsistent with me
cfauca ut nuIy Of
the country. Il
A great and powerful nation throws her sword
into the scale and demands from us the represson OF
that unbridIed license which you and such as you,
have contributed 30 much to establish. Instead OF
adopting this ungenerous, but not unnatural tone,
the Catholic and Conservative Ministry OF Belgium
steps forward in the very manner, and with the
very feelings which Nr. Macaulay delights 80 much
~ attribute to the tories OF our own infant consttu
tisn, who never failed to evince generous neon
sktency whenever tie independence Of the country
was threatened by the foreign allies OF the very
cause ard King to which they were in the habit OF
drinking and swearing the most answering and
incorporating allegiance. While the larger
States OF Europe divided into parties deriving
their names from their predictions for foreign
States, Belgium seems TO know no party but
Belgian party, and TO recognize no internal dine
rebces when It's foreign relations concerned.
We cannot dismiss tins subject without once
more expressing strong conviction that never
was more unfortunate time selected for most
injudicious act than the conclusion Of a general
treaty of peace for attack the liberty OF the
press on the continent Of Europe. We had just
terminated a series Of events in which the Empe.
of the French had shown himself to the world
as a faithful ally, wise and resolute counsel or,
q magnanimouss Sovereign, and a man who,
possessed Of great power, lad shown dispose
zion 10 use it with singar equity and moderation.
He took up arms for the defence Of European
liberties; he allied himself with two constitutional
Powers, and, having fought and conquered, scorned
any vulgar material recompense for his services,
and wise and generous enough 70 content him
self with the respect and appreciation of mankind.
How unfortunate that at this suspicious moment the
eager zeal of minister Gor such we prefer to
consider it) should have Swallowed forth tue com
mcncement of new troubles just as the old were /
ceasDg, and taught the world TO look for a crusade
against human liberty in the West as a sequel to the
conflict against Russian domination in the East !! |
How upfartunate that we shnnd thna be forced To