The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-23

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| Of importance.
The Position Of Louis Napoleon-The Alter
natives and His Choice.
IN the proclamation Of war against Austria
Louis Napoleon announced that its object is "to
restore Italy to herself, not to impose upon her
a change of masters"
We are inclined to believe that the imperial
words convey the truth. The more we study the
condition Of Europe the more are we convinced
that the present movement of Louis Napoleon is
one Of selfpreservation rather than of ambition.
He reads the signs Of the times by the sxpe-
rience of lS4S, in all of which events he was an
active participator. He perceives that the
grinding tyranny Of Austria is producing the
same ferment now in Italy that it produced in
lS47, and which resulted in those revolutions
that In few weeks installed the tricolor on
| every battlement in Italy and Central Europe,
and swept the last the Bourbons from France.
He foresees the coming movement of the
millions, and he well knows that If he does
not lead it he will be swept away by it. That
Italy could not have been much longer kept
down is very evident The rapidity and
| thoroughness Of the revolutionary movement In
| Tuscany and Parma, the pouring in Of volunteers
from every Italian State to Sardinia, the treason
fearing delay of the Austrian forces in Lom-
hardy, all prove that great truth.
In placing himself at the head of the feeling of
restrained and oppressed nationality, and re-
storing Italy to herself, Louis Napoleon strikes
deep chord in the German heart For many
years contest between intellect and birth has
been going on in Germany, similar to that which
in France preceded the first Revolution, and
which points to the same result. The little
royalties and privileged mobiles that have SO
greatly abated the German vitality, have long
been held in contempt by the German mind, and
must eventually be swept away before it. They
foresee this, and make every effort to show to
the world different state Of things. Goethe
was bought with a ribbon, and his example is
cited to prove an alliance between the thinkers
and rulers. Yet Heine died in exile and one of
Germanys best historians was brought to trial
because, in philosophical review of the rise and
progress of the political elements of Germany, he
dared to prophecy that they must eliminate in a
democracy. The unful6lled promises of the final
struggle against the first Napoleon, when const-
tutional freedom was arrayed against the empire
renewed in the cheating mockeries of 1S4S, still
rapkle in the hearts of the German people. The
feeling showed its intensity in the fact that with
in few weeks after the installation of the last
French republic the Germanic Diet was opened
at Frankfort Dynastic intrigues defeated the
hopes Of free Germany then, as they had done
before.
In placing himself at the head of the popular
aspirations, Louis Napoleon has it in his power
to become the Washington of Europe. He pro-
claims that this is not war of conquest but of
liberation; that he seeks not to extend the sove-
reignty Of France, but to establish satisfied ma
tionalities His opponents, who combine in fact
the vested interests of all the dynastic families
in Europe say that he is false in this that it is
not the Napoleonic policy to be liberal minded
or honest. But are they truthful or honest in
these accusations against him? What is the Ma
poleonic policy which they say is so dangerous
to the popular rights of Europe? The first Ma
poleon said he "never was permitted to have
policy; circumstances always controlled him."
only be knew that had he donned the "red capn
be could have overthrow every dynasty in
Europe.
The third Napoleon is governed by the
same imperious law of events. Neither can
he have policy, like the hereditary crowns of
Europe. One day he protects the Pope from the
assaults of liberalism; the next, he is the warm
ally of England and fighting Russia; to-day, he
covenants with Russia to hold the German
dynasties in check while he drives Austria out
of Italy; tomorrow, he may be dethroning
the Queen of Spain, the last of the Bourbons in
Europe. Whether he will be the Washington of
Europe time only can reveal But these things he
has seen: that the dynastes overturned and chain
ed the First Napoleon, because he neglected to
overturn them; that the democracy swept away
Louis Philippe, and is gradually undermining
every European throne, because be- too, would not
lead it that for himself then, he has but the al
tentative Of choosing between being swept away
by the democracy and the dynasties or either,
and leading the democracy to the establishment
Of satisfed nationalities He has chosen. The
Emperor has gone to lead the army of Italy
against the tyranny of Austria.
MORE TROUBLE IN UTAH-ANr1crpArEp Col.