The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-02-25
FROM OUR PARIS CORRESPONDENT

! ting English before Greek adiectve-tbere is
always something to engage attention. do not mean
mere visual observation, but study which more or
| less employs the capacities of the mind
In other cities novelties cease to be such after be-
ing twice seen; but here, old things are in
vested with much historic interest and the TASTE
full invention of the people exhausted that the
recurrence of attraction is constant. They seem to
act upon the idea of DR.. Johnson that faithfuness
itself would grow weary in looking from the same
face to the same portrait and hence the scenes are
often changing. This proceeds partly from the
mercurial nature of the people, and partly from the
spirit of progress which has found its way from our
country, and is magnetic motor that animates pub
lie men well individuals, everywhere. with the
| love of improvement.
The Greek philosophers divided the current of
historic time into four eras: the IRON the bronze
the silver and the golden each typical of respect
i've period. An American statesman in discourse
some years ago before learned society, added a
fifth, as metaphorical of days, which he STYLED
the age of movement" 1t was an apt designa-
ton, and applies to all civilized nations
No one who was in Europe some twenty years
ago, can fail to observe upon visit now, the won
derful changes everywhere
| Whether this has come from the silent operations
of time, and the gradual advancement of man in
his social condition, despite the restraints of gov
ernments, the burthens of taxation and the caam-
tiles of wars is question for metaphysical inves-
tigation.
do not consider it an inquiry in mere poltico-
economy, which generally upon great results de-
cides posterori as to causes; but as one in which
great mysticalpowe is operating-a power behind
all thrones-a Providence carrying man from an
/ humble condition Ike tba oh; 8
Egypt, to the enjoyment of new days, and ameo-
rated times.
These alterations are not confined to enterprises
of national ACKNOWLEDGMENT, but belong to the ad-
vancement, the comfort and the social well-being
of man.
The destruction of the Bastile-the Revolution;
the contrast of its horrors with the expected good
the downfall of dynasties, in which the people were
courted by the contending powers, and the oppor-
tunities which such occasions gave them to discuss
the evils of tyranny, brought nearer to the
imagined source of power; made them judges of
their wrongs, critics. and sometimes indicators of
their rights.
These have in some degree, as far as human iudg-
ment solve the problem been assisting causes in
this advancement
1t is approach longo interuauo to an equiliza-
ton of the rights of man by distribution among
the universal multitude of some of the comforts
from the great monopolized stock in the hands of
potentates and mobiles; distribution to those who
live by stealth in the world they support and yet
chang on Princes favor"
| Time, says Voltaire, is the great consider which
bures the injuries of the past and heals the sorrows
of remembrance; it is also ''the great trier which
carries all things in its course, and condemns or
reforms according to its experience. In its flight is
now held the destiny of this empire; and whether
, the impulse of the age, tending to improvement,
shall bear its people in common with others to a
reer enjoyment bind to the one it has, as best
suited to its nature, is problem which only the
, ! future solve.
Politicians are always specializing upon the chang
es that must necessarily and shortly occur in the
form of government here. What substantial basis
there is for this, familiar with either the
strength of this dynasty, the general security and
content of the subjects imagine True there are
conspiracies among Italian desperadoes, and the
cent attempt to assassinate the Emperor shows
there is vengeance directed personally against
, him. Considering that France has but lately
j emerged from a severe warfare, in which she bore
the greater charge, as well reaped the greater
honors she exhibits wealth, a tranquility, and an
! elastic prosperity which belong to only times Of
long peace and successful commerce. There are
clouds in the political horizon. but they corncern
men rather than measures of government. What
the demise of the present chief may produce is hard
ly to be told then, for time all the influences
and angry ambition Of contendng claimants will
disturb the even tenor of the way of empire Still
= surrounding agencies of allies and neighboring
kingdoms will probably like the attractive influence
of the planets, keep this one of the political hemis-
phere in its orbit and strengthen it as one of the
J holy alliance of kings.
There is no country of modern DAYS, where the
political axiom that power is always stealing from
the many to the few, has been often verified as
in this. The various mutations from Revolutions.
Directories, Consuls Kings, Presidents and Empe-
rors, have been only passages Of trial. each assum-
ing the authority it possessed to remedy wrongs
until at last, practically, the whole power of the
people is concentrated in the will and policy of one
man.
Perhaps the security of the people against them
selves requires this Capitalization, and they have
been willing to purchase it by the surrender of many
rights, rather than encounter the errors and spo-
liations of change. 1t is saying here, that those
who have any thing to protect are Imperialists,
while those who have nothing to lose, are Repub-
icans 1t is from the trammels upon public opin-
ion, that danger is most to be expected-some
would say, hoped.
The Press, that great Tiers Fiat of protection be-
tween the people and usurpation, is here not only
inert in that cause, but forciby silent upon all
questions of State policy, what called popu-
lar rights. The late attempt upon the life of the
, Emperor has caused greater watchfulness than
ever over all publications; and the types are al
lowed to speak only in measured terms the mar
rowly restricted and disciplined thoughts of their
employers. ''La Revue de Paris and ale Specta-
teur" have been suspended, if not suppressed.
The Imperial Council are also considering whe-
Their an oath of fidelity shall not be required of all
journalists, similar to that taken by members of the
Chamber of Deputies; to interdct the ''Gazette de
France and ale Steele" and all evening papers
except the "Woneur," which shall have two edi-
tions daily. To this will be added the censorship,
that the "Press will be silenced as well as fet-
tered and henceforth in France that maxim s'audi
ia ateuam parteD" which belongs to its calling and
is the medium of knowledge and truth, will be no
longer a reality.
The egotism of Louis the XIV. who said L'Etot
c'estmo''-I am the State-is here practical real
ity without the declaration; for the truth of it is
felt in every ramfcation of Government, civil,
military and municipal.
With all the Surveillance over the Press its editors
Redacte,us) have high stand here; and this arises
principally from the argumentative character of
their papers, showing too occasionally through the
loop-holes of opportunity, the glimmerings of the
latent powers depressed by circumstances This
consequently gives them great influence in times of
political crisis. Propriety of language, avoidance
of personalities and at least seeming desire to con-
vince through the agency of reason, though upon
party questions, characteristics of the French
press. Even during the revolution, the addresses
Of Danton, Brissol, and Others were philosophical
and classical, though severe. Tallien himself, at
the very moment of impeaching Robespierre, en-
ployed metaphor, saying; 81 tear the veil'' from
the man who has made the Revolution odious