New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-12
THE COMING ELECTION IN FRANCE.

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THE COMING ELECTION IN FRANCE.
Among the most interesting events in this
years history of Europe will be the coming
election Of new Legislative Body in France,
which will take place within few months.
In every country Of Europe the progress OF
the electoral campaign and it's final result will
DO watched with intense anxiety; for the Gov.
eminent Of France, under whatever rule she
msy happen TO be- Yields powerful influence
on tho destiny Of oil Europe. The great rev.
olutions of 1898 aud 1913, which originated in
France, are turning points in the political his
tory Of modern times, and in the history Of
democracy; aud the present attitude Of the
liberal papers of France leaves US no doubt
that if the party which made these reyolr.
tons had remained at the helm of State,
the conduct of the French Government in the
Italian question, in 1859, aud more recently in
lila relations to Mexico and to Poland, would
have differed materially from that assumed b.
tho present Emperor.
Democracy has now bat feeble representa-.
ton in the French Legislature, five deputies
forming the whole Democratic opposition. This
number can, Of course, not be regarded as ill.,
dicatiye Of the exact strength Of the Demo.
cratic party for at the election Of the present
Legislature most o. the leaders and consider
able portion Of the party were 10 favor of alb
staining from any participation in the vote.
This policy las now been abandoned. Follow
log tho example of the Progressive party OF
Prussia, which after many years of abstention
accepted the overthrow Of the constitution Us
an accomplished fact, took part again in the
elections IN 1861, and obtained such brilliant
victories in 1861 and 1862, the Democratic
party of France will again test its strength at
the coming election.
They enter the contest under the most un.
favorable and discouruging circumstances.
They can neither conyoke the electors of the
Legislative districts, for there ia no liberty of
assemblage, nor address them in public, for
reach them through the newspaper, for there
is no liberty OF the press. In every district |
the Government officially recommends cand- |
date, aud It's vi hole political influence, which, in
France is more centralized and more extended
than in any other country of Europe, is used
with the utmost yigOr TO secure the success of
the Governments candidate. How little free
dom is LETT TO the other parties moy be- seen
from the fact that the Government fOrbids the
opposition candidates even to announce them
IL. Ia. Il.
through the columns of the Monteur, that the
selection of such q name might be construed
into an intimatlon that the candidates of the
Government were not independent.
Notwithstanding, however, the little amount
of Liberty which will be allowed, there is enough
freedom of action left 10 elect Democratic Rep.
resentatiyes, wherever majority of the voters
are determined Democrats, even in view of TIE
material disadvantages which their votes might
entail. The Prussian people, under similar cir
elected in 1862, Second Chamber,
in which the Government have only about
dozen supporters among $50 members, aud in
which the party of pronounced Democratic
sentiments have q decided majority. There is
reached in France, if the people show them
selves equally attached to Democratic senti-
nents.
This, however, is not expected. The Demo-
cratic party is very active in completing its or.
gauization all over France, and in addition to the
i've tried members of the present Corps LegisIatif,
who, it is hoped, will all be returned for their
I'D districts, number Of leading men Of the
party will present themselves az candidates;
yet it is hardly expected that more than from
.welve TO twenty districts can be carried. In
many districts it is expected the Democrats
will fuse with the Orleanists, and perhaps even
With Legtimists, for the nomination of can.
lidate who will pledge himself to advocate
greater liberty of speech and the press, and,
u general, greater amount Of selfgOTern.
nont than France at present possesses, This
= Of course. az acknowledgment that che