The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-12-18

1t was the proud vaunt of NAPOLEON III, at the
commencement Of his campaign in Italy, that he
comprehended the spirit of his epoch, and was
prepared to act up to its requirements, and in all
the important movements that have since trans.
pired, he has given confrmatory evidence of the
fact He closed his victorious career in Italy by
the convention of Villa Franco, because he had
the sagacity to perceive that any attempt at that
time to drive the Austrians out of Veneta would,
in all probability be productive of an Instruction
airy movement in Hungary, and in the existing
temper of the Neutral Powers, might bring on
general European war His subsequent support
of the doctrine of non-interventon left the Ital-
ians free not only to reorganize as they thought
proper the liberated provinces, but also to extend
the revolutionary movement throughout the Papal
States and the two Scilies. The internal reforms
which he urged upon Pro NoNo, ifthey had been
promptly adopted, would certainly have tended to
strengthen the hold Of the latter upon those prnci
palites which have since been lost to him, and
would have given him claim to the assistance
of France, which, under such circumstances, could
scarcely have been denied. Concerning the pro-
priety of exacting from Sardinia the cession of
rendered by France in that brief but brilliant
campaign which terminated with the battle of
Solerno, and as offset for the transfer of Lom-
hardy to VICTOR EMMANUEL, opinions will,
perhaps, continue 10 differ. But TO France those
rugged and mountainous al pine slopes and passes,
were invaluable in military point of view, and
with respect to Savoy, and in lesser degree to
Nice, it is well known that the national afiuities
Of the population were far more French than Ital-
ian. The Crimean war which was terminated in
1855 by the treaty Of Paris was productive of no
other results to the French people than to re estab
lsh their old military prestige. To NAPOLEON
himself, however, the advantages were far greater.
1t brought him into close alliance with England
and established his c lin to occupy the position
he had so boldly seized and SO ably maintained but
which the Continental Powers had shown them
selves reluctant to recognize. But it was not
enough that his abilities as stat smon were con-
celed. The French passion for military glory,
although it had lost some portion Of its ancient
ardor during forty years of peace aud amidst the
hustle and turmoil Of Industrial and commercial
pursuits, woald scarcely have been contented with
Il ruler who was n statesman merely. They
looked for soldierly qualities also in one who bore
the name ofBoyApARTE, apd it was not until they
discovered that NAPOLEON was rs skillful in the
fed as he was slgaciOls in the cabinet, that they
gave to him their entire confidence. We no lon
ger hear Of conspiracie5 against his authority, or
OF denominations formed to assassnate him. The
terrible society of the Marianne" which held its
meetings in secret and whose members scat
o. t.,
by thousands, is no longer power to be
feared The Legitimists and Socialists, and Red
Republicans and Orleanists, who a few years
ago denounced LOUIS NAPOLEON as a periurer and
an usurper, and plotted incessantly-both against
the man they hated and the system of Government
which he had instituted--are either now in the
ranks Of his supporters, or have desisted for the
most part from active opposition, He has conc-
lated the rural population by the encouragement
which he has given to agriculture. He has won
the attachment of the Parisians by charging and
Identifying that gay and attractive capital, and
ut the same time, by opening of new streets through
the aubourgs, has broken up those hot beds of Sc
dition. He has also wisely profted by the maxim
which admonishes nations that they best
secure peace by being at all times pre-
pared for war; and by the army which
he controls, and the navy to which he is
constantly adding new ships adapted in their con-
struction to all the exigencies of modern warfare
he has succeeded not only in securing peace at
home, but also in making himself, in a great de-
gree, the arbiter of the destinies of Europe. With
England he has formed, recently, a commercial
treaty which is favorably spoken of by the manu-
f,cturers and artisans of both countries; and he
is now negotiating with the Government of Ger
many, with view to establish similar relations
with them also. When he first undertook 10 rule
France, his pledge was to give the people IA
"strong government" He has kept his word The
curse Of France was, that it was torn TO pieces by
contending factions. He has either subdued or ST.
fenced them. Industry was paralyzed and Com
merce Frustrated. He has sedulously fosered
both. But to attain these great ends it was neces-
sary that all power should be vested in his own
hands and be directed by his single will, and
up to this time his control of affairs has
been absolute. The period has, however,
arrived when the strngency of his rule may, in
his opinion, be safely relaxed, and he has there
fore issued decree granting certain constitutional
reforms, which are understood to be more largely
extended hereafter. The new policy which he
has thus inaugurated is conceived altogether in
liberal spirit, and is designed, in the language of
the Pays, 'to bring the legal and legitimate re-
representatives of the country into closer associa-
"tion with the government" The decree con-
cedes the right of the Senate and Legislature to
discuss the home and foreign policy of the Empire,
and to have their speeches reported by stenogra-
pliers under the authority of the President of each
Assembly, and published in the official journal of
the next day. 1t also authorizes an Address to
be framed in accordance with vote of the two
Houses in reply to the speech delivered by the
EMPEROR at the opening of each annual session,
and it gives them full power to amend all Bills that
may be introduced by the Government, except
such are of local interest or apply to
cases Of emergency. These qualifications, of
course restrict the action of the Legislative body
within certain limits; but Notwithstanding the
power which is thus retained the privileges which
are actually granted are unquestionNbly substan-
tial and important.
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The late municipal elections in Massachusetts,
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