Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-12-28
LOUIS RapolEes'S MOVEMENT.

those who do not comprehend the age
we live in, and bis success thus far con
firms the declaration. Blu. bis last great
movement toward liberalizing his govern
ment seems TO US to be one of the most
striking evidences Of his sagacity and
foresight, even if we exclude higher
principles of action. He is now strong
on bis throne-the most powerful mon
arch in Europe-and is upheld alike by
the pride, the admiration and the interests
of his subjects. Trade is linked with
the continuance Of his dynasty, and the
best army in the world is enthusiastically
devoted to his slightest command. And
yet, amid these evidences Of security, the
Emperor suddenly, surprises his Council
one morning, by throwing out compre-
hensive scheme for iberalizing the gov
ernment and after it had been commen-
ted upon for a short time, he directs NJ.
Walewski to take his pen, while he die
tates the different clauses of a decree
which is to be inserted in the next Moni-
teUr. The scheme thus extemporized in
wolves the freedom of the legislative body
on all ordinary measures of public con-
cern, who will make an annual reply TO
the Emperor's speech. and viii have
their debates published in full in the
Paris press. Various changes are made
in the different departments, calculated
to facilitate the furtheranee of the public
will. The freedom Of the press, though
net indicated in the plan, appears to be
directly involved in its eonsummation.
The causes of this liberal movement
have of course, become the theme Of
great speculation-as would be the case
with even the most simple step which
might be taken by ruler who is so care
less Of routine as the Emperor Napoleon.
But ike other men, he has probably act
ed from convictions of in;erest-and the
principal difference between men like him
and the masses is that their convictions
of the former have a wider basis, long
er and deeper reach into the future
The Emperor stands firm enough to-day,
but VIXEN he beholds the irresistible
march Of the age toward liberal institu-
tions, he knows that the restrictions
which France quietly eudures now, she
viii not endure ten years hence. He
might await the coming shock, but he
knows it is wiser to avert it, and SO
/ to order its prevention that it viii give a
/ new support to his throne. But in ten
or twenty years, the Emperor also knows
that the strong man-the man of the
coup d etat.of Magenta and SolfeTino,
and of the commercial treaty-may be
no more, and that little lad now playing
about the Tuileries wiIl have to face the
tremendous exigencies Of governing
France. What then will save the Ma
poleonic dynasty? Nothing bnt that
which Louis Napoleon alone can do
without-the affection Of the French
people And how can that be gained,
but by steadily removing the restriction
which past anarchy and misgovernment
have necessitated in Francs, ,andrepl aeing
them with those guarantees and institu-
tons which are calculated to develop
the nation and keep her in line with the
progress Of the age.
1t is for Us in this country to draw
some lesson from this movement Of the
French Emperor. When he IS then
seconding at home the same spirit to
which he has 50 powerfully contributed
in eufancipated Italy, and which is also
Illuminating the steppes Of Russia, thro
the abolition Of serfdom, can any one
here expect Louis Napoleon to favor
the founding Of new American govern
ment, based on the very opposite of tha
spirit: based On ideas which are discard
ed in Russia, oyerthrown by GaFibaldi
and disowned by Napoleon? The es
senee Of South Cardinals objection t.
remain longer in union with the fre,
States Is that our very progress leads u
away from supersiitious regard for hu
man slavery. She is oyershadowed an,
! incensed By this progress, bat she vii
not yield 10 il, like Alexander and Napo
D leon. That freedom Of speech whieI
they are beginning to allow, she punishe
and suppresses With increased iespotism
, aad because she cannot have full swim
!. in her reactionary tendencies, she Is goin
TO set up a government devoted TO thei
i. complete realization. 1t Is the most suic
: dal movement Of the nineteenth century
1 Bat whatever its domestic fate, we ma
: depend upon It that It will have no eour
! tenanee from any portion Of Earor
: worth applying 10. The English pres