New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-05-12
FRANCE.
From Our Own Correspondent.

ton was made in NY last are fatty contradicted, 80
far as they refer ~ Lsmartne's conduct and opln-
ioIs, 10 letter signed by the latter aud published
in La Prose. Other letters, one from Jules Bas-
tide and ODE from Gen. Dembnski, directly contra
die. or largely qualify other statements made BY
La Msrmora and Cavour, in which they charged
the French Republican leaders of l645 with want
Of sympathy for and even decided hostility to the
cause of Italian independence. 1t is evident from
these letters that the Italian orators in the excite
ment of warm debate, committed errors OF two
sorts: They stated as facts, in some instances,
what the etter-writers show, by simple reference
to dates, or declare on their personal knowl-
edge, to be fictitious; and they were guilty of indis-
cretion not to say injustice, toward the fallen Min
listers and rulers of 184S, in withdrawing the vail
of secrecy that should o'erhang their confidential
diplomatic communications with the heads OF the
Provisional Republican Government. Ii is said
that French Republican statesmen are not the only
ones whose susce ptibity has been irrtated by the
remarks Of Messrs. Cayour aud La MarmOra. The
debate, it will be borne IN mind, was on the
new law on the press. The object of the law
is to punish more severely than heretofore
the journalists who attack foreign mOnarchs
or apologize for regcides. The occasion OF the
law VAS the affair of the Rue Lepelleter. Its pas
sage was of course desired by the Emperor Of the
French. The CavOur Cabinet, moderately and
practically liberal, urged it's passage, not from any
lack of liberalism special love for Napoleon, but
from an evident patriotic policy-to confirm the
French alliance which is so important to Piedmont
in its hostile relations with Austria and Naples. 1t
was to meet the objection of the advanced liberals
TO the passage Of a law in the interest of an arbl
trary monarch whO in their eyes, is the type enemy
of free Institutions that the Sandman Ministers at
once deprecated the French Republican chiefs and
exalted Napoleon as the friend Of Italian liberty.
AS the depreciation of the former was exaggerated
SO, very probably, was the expression of hope and
confidence in the latter 1t was the strength Of this
expression coupled with Cavours positive but in
definite ihtmation that the policy he has been so
long urging upon the European Powers, OF inter-
ventiOn, in liberal sense, in Italian affairs, was
likely to be acted upon that has led Austria to ask
of France an explanation of its me aning. Such, at
least, is the rumOr Of the day. What helps to ac-
credit the rumOr is that it originates from two
distinct sources.
The voting for three Deputies to the Legislative
Body to fill the places left vacant by the death of
Cavagnac and refusal of the oath by Goudchaux and
Garnet, took place very quietly on Sunday and Mon
day. In each ofthe three districts the whole number
of voters inscribed and votes cast was less by some
thousands than last June. l give the figures for
Cavaignac's district. In June, whole number of
registered voters, "a, SAP; whole number of votes
cast 81 ,142; for Cavaignac, 1O,950; for Govern
ment candidate 1859; scattering, 23-. Now reg
istered, 3l,347; voted l7,772: for Government
candidate, TO- Ill; for Lionville( OPPo.ition), 74l0
scatterinc TO- In Carnot's district neither OF the
two highest candidates obtained All absolute major.
ity, though the Government man is about 200 ahead
of his chief opponent, and will probably be elected
at the next trial, May 9, when plurality suiiices.
In Goudchaux's district, Jules Favre (Opposltion)
is elected by 1903 votes, over TO- loo cast Tor the
Imperial candidate.
On the whole, the election is encouraging. 1t
shows signs of real political vitality in the Paris
ians. Ii the French are ever to attain that prac-
teal political sense and robustness without which
popular segOyerDment is impossible, 1t must be by
the exercise of whatever little political power they
have; by acquiring the habit of voting for the vot-
ings sake though their candidates are beaten, and
no immediate result i'll the shape of new cOnstltu-
ton follows. So they may in the end learn how to
govern themselves beaten troops finally learn the
art of war and victory. This is possible for them
to do, at least prepare themselves for even under
the Imperial regime. Ifall France were as far ad
vanced in political education as these three Partisan
districts, the actual Government would become,
without violent revolution, a constitutional One
The theory of it would admit such change in prac
tce, which il is doubtful whether even Louis NapO
leon would venture TO oppose by coup d'etat. The
success Of coup d'ttat depends more on the p,pu-
lar ignorance Of and Discrimination to self-g0vern-
mtnt than on the grOss instruments of its accom-
plshment.
1t will be remembered that by the new law all can
ddates subscribe an oath of fidelity previous to the
election. There is this of good in the law-it le
galizes opposition, and may yet become a useful in
strument in the hands of the opposition. The sta
tute itself is complete refutaton of the lamenta
Die cry Of faction" hitherto addressed by over
Jealous supporters of Government to all who voted
sganst it's candidates.
A faint breath If resistance occasionally rutiles
the generally acquiescent calm of the Corps Legis
atf The late debate on the Budgct-the dispute
being whether It's account of income am expense
does balance or does not balance, some members
maintaining that the most Innocent looking official
figures do le-has been almost animated. Not ami
mated i'll our American Congressional sense In.
deed members of the Corps and other Frenchmen
looking over to our Brooks and Sumner, Keitt and
Grow, Craig and Helper, and other free fights in
and out OF Congress, congratulate themselves on
their superior condition of quiet and safety-like
the two hand-bound criminals on the scafOd, who
said TO each other they the mad bull ravaglng
through the crowd below: How lucky that We are
safe up here" The Government proposition to pay
60 of the leo millions that are to be expended in the
next ten years on Paris embellishments, has pro-
voked quite vigorous recalcitratiOn. The Commit
tee to whom the bill was referred urged reduction
Of 90, then of Is millions. They asked to have laid
before them oil the documents and plans referring
to the Intended improvements. They were told
that they must 90 to the Hotel dc Vile ii they
wished to see them. 1t is said they went there and
were treated rather mpcrtnenty by Project
Haupman. The end of it is aud will be that
the Emperor wants this bill and the one against
iase titles of mobility to be passed, aud
VIII have what he wants. Seine slight
notifications may be accepted, and the close of the