The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-15

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in harmonizing the Two divided sections Of the
country by mutual concession and forbcarance.
Can the country afford to suffer further deprc-
citation Of all her material intcrosis.
The Reforms In Ffance-Tbe sapott oa
Dynasty.
Our European files by the Kcdar place NJ il
possession of an important imperial decree,
published in Tie Paris Monitor and which VIZ
printed yesterday. together with The English
and French opinion thereon.
That Loais Napoleon has made atep in the
right direction by The course of conduct he baS
adopted 10 one will be disposed to deny Not
only do the articles of this decree show Chat hs
dynasty il secure, but that ihcy viii tend 10 maxi,
ii still sur'r and more popular. II will con
ciliaie The people. extend the liberty of the
press ana promote tie cause OF freedom and
good government in France more than any
former act of the present Emperor. The
decree announces changes in the constitution
and composition of the imperial administration,
and contains the promise of notifications in
the system Of government. Ey it We learn that
the Count Walewski returns 10 Office as
Minister of State. This appointment
it is probable. will influence French
policy in Europe, and may occasion the Ital-
ians some slight displeasure, for they have not
forgotten his strenuous opposition to their
union. En-, The past may not apply to the
present.
The chief object OF the decree !, to reconcile
the existence of the empire with the popular
rights of representative government more fully
than heretofore. and the concessions. made with
chat view. can hardly he ovcrrated. II was
nothing more than the people of France
deserved tlus 10 be brought 10 familiar IN
dersanding with their sovereign and govern
mcnt, and The advantage will BE- mutual. The
necessities OF the empire. in which foreign and
domestic. spiritual and civil interests are daily
becoming more complicated in the life Of its
citizens, required such provision for It's per-
maneNt welfare. and although II has come
sooner than we were led I" anticipate. we
arc all The more prepared TO give il
hearty welcome. The Chamber of
Deputies viii hcnceforward possess thu right
TO vote an address in reply 10 the annual irnpc-
rial speech on the Opening Of he Chambers.
This will lave a tendency to make the Minis
tiers subordinate TO the will If the majority.
The reports Of the sitting, Of ihc Senate and
the Legislature are 10 be Published IL ss,easo
in the Nosiiesr. and also in al The Other
French journals. daily. This Last Is a
measure Of great significance. and may be
looked upon as The key 10 the freedom Of
The press IN France. We may soon witness
q parliamentary system Of government Of
the widest order resting on the iirmcst iu,snia-
ton. under the auspices of Napoleon H.. Of
whom il cannot but be- said that h. has done
more FOR tlsc material progress and bet into
rests II France than any otLcr French sove-
reign-or, FOR that mater. than all the
French soyercigns put together. Examples Of
constitutional liberty have not been lost upon
the prisoner ~ Ham, whose foreign policy. mr.
litary victories. cccie-ia~,icai Impressions and
commercial reforms alike proclaim his fitness
and hi strength to control the dcstinics of The
empire over which h. prc-idcs as sovereign
guardian. H. ias no. noll' Ing t. fear for the
stability al his throne. H. has The sympathy
Of he amy and ne people. and, having pu,
down The rourhouisis end Orleani.ts, h. en-
joys prestige which makes his DaIac power,
and that power essential 10 the welfare and
glory Of France.