The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-12-05

The speech with which the Emperor
OF France, on the 9th of November,
opened the Chambers of HIS empire is
looked upon by the European papers of
all parties as one of the most memorable
events IN the recent history of Europe
That 1t would chiefly treat of the Polish
comp lication was generally expected, bu.
the turn which the Emperor gives to it
has taken the world by surprise 1t was
expected that only the alternative of 60
ing to war in behalf of Poland or to aban-
don all efforts in her behalf was left
Bat the Emperor offers another expedi-
ent-to submit the question to the tribu.
mai OF a European Congress. This plan
Is not nsu one. and haa boon suseaafad
by the Emperor himself before, but the
ideas which the Emperor puts forward in
connection with his renewed suggestion
are such as have startled public opinion
and alarmed the European Courts.
Louis Napoleon apparently accedes to
the proposition made by Russia, that
European Congress should be called in
which not only the Polish, but all the
other questions now agitsting Europe
should be debated. Russia bad replied
TO the circumstances made to her with
regard to Poland, that she had the same
right 10 Poland that other Powers bad 10
those portions of their territory which
are inhabited by conquered races. Louis
Napoleon, without the least reluctance,
ana with an eagerness that will be any,
thing but pleasing to his late Allies, ad
m'ts the justice of the Russian reply.
aud very significantly comedies that "in
the South as in the North, powerful In
terests demand solution
But the Emperor does not stop here.
lie takes another step in advance. and
makes to his fellow sovereigns of Europe
the startling announcement that the en-
tire State system Of Europe rests on de-
cayed foundation, and that, unless a new
and more durable edi6ce be erected, the
Whole fabric must become hear of ruins.
Ihe treaties of lGl5-the gospel of every
European monarch and every statesman
ct political orthodoxy, by which they uni.
forIniy insist on settling all controversies
ARE declared by the Emperor to be
dead. They have been violated in Franco
by his own elevation to the Empire: in
Belgium, in Greece, in Italy. Germany
Is enoeavoring 10 change them; England
has generously modified them by the ces-
sion of the 1onisn Isles; Russia is tram.
ping them under foot in Poland. A
new pact of the European Powers. a new
federation "more conformable to tho |
Ideas OF the epoch" has become neces.
sity.
The great significance of this laugange
iiey IN the fact that the demands thus
made upon the college of European prin-
ces are the same which the progressive
ara revolutionary party of Europe have
Deen Tor long time making, and which
the princes have hitherto rejected with
Indignation as an abominable heresy. An
the democrats of Europe demand that
the entire map of Europe be Reconstructed
on The basis OF the two fundamental doe.
trlnes OF modern democracy-the sover.
eighty of the people, and the right Of ev.
cry living nationality to an independent
exlstence-and the princes, in opposition
to these demands, have only pleaded the
go oo"ieIreu upon them Dy the treaty
OF 1919 The speech Of Louis Napoleon
Is 'heshrst announcement on the part of
one OF the grand Powers Of Europe that
the demands of the Progressive party can
no longer be successfully resisted, and /
that they will prevail as the result If not
OF peaceful, diplomatic negotiation, then
of European revolution.
Inc Emperor. of course, does not use
revolutionary language. He advances
MS Ideas " the k'ndest, blandest, most
paclhc terhs. But all this csnno, change
their meating and bearing, which seem
to De well\ understood at the Court of
tha' State, which is most threatened by !
them, Austria. The greatest sseasiness. 2
We are apprised BY telegram from vi >
enns' - felt in that city with regard to
Ehe speech of the French Emperor, and l.