New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-01-04
PUBLIC OPINION IN EUROPE.

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Our readers will recollect that the Emperor
Napoleon made an able and somewhat remark
able speech, at the closing of the Paris Exhibi-
ton. He spoke Of public opinion, and the
power Of public opinion, in o manner that
ELECTED not o few expressions Of wonderment
from those who supposed that an almost ire
stricted despot knew little or nothing of, and if
he did, never would acknowledge the existence
of such power. Shallow-p ated despots have
always ignored subjects Of the kind; have
affected to believe that all the intelligence of
the land was confined to the blood royal; and
have frequently been hurled from thrones they
were unfit to fill in consequence thereof. But
statesmen, sagacious, wise and far-seeing, as
Louis Napoleon has proved himself to be, sell
dom make such ine3cusable plumbers. He
knows and feels the value as we'll as the power
Of public opinion; and his reference to it was
a consummate stroke Of policy. for the proba-
bilities are it will enable him TO lead and con-
troll popular European sentiment to much
greater degree than he otherwise could have
done.
| AT the time the speech was delivered, it was
we'll understood the Emperor had special refer
ence to the German powers, who had held aloof
from participation in the struggle between
France and England and Russia, notwithstand-
ing the feeling Of the people was supposed to be
decidedly in favor Of the Western Powers.
The speech having been differently under
stood, in many quarters, particularly in Ger
many, Count Walewski, Minister Of Foreign At
fairs, has issued an explanatory circular rem
dering the Emperor's meaning unmistakable.
We quote portion of the circular:
1t the speech) has not been everywhere judged of in
the manner and has become the object of different
interpretations 1t has however but meaning and
the neutral States cannot mistake sentiments which
they evidently have only to congratulate themselves The
Emperor said that he desired prompt and durable
have need to enlarge this declaration it speaks
for itself, and requires comment In addressing him
self the neutral States invite them to express the
wishes in this his Imperial Majesty sufficiently
titled the uaus which he attached to public opinion, and h
idea of their influence In the march OF events Such
besides His of regarding them from the very
set of the diplomatic conflict which preceded hostes
The Emperor had always thought that If at that tim
they had strongly expressed their opinion thu
subject in dispute they might have exercised sautar.
s influence the powers which provoked the The
position has not changed in the eyes of bis Imperial Ma
jesty, and they now by firm and decided attitude
hasten the termination of struggle which, in his
victon, they might have prevented.
I'll Such an Acknowledgment made under suel
o impressive circumstances, and formally reitera
ted in an official circular, is exceedingly signif
cant, and constitutes theme upon which pro
u found reflection may be laVished. When tn
q first monarch of the Old World subscribes
Q the existence and value Of European publ
) opinion, may not the time DO near at han
q which will witness q realization of the dream
of patriots and sages who have looked forwar
9 to the period when Europe would be enfrar
n chised