New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-20
UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE IN EUROPE,

Universal suffrage is one Of those democratic
institutions which are steadily gaining strength
in Europe, and which are almost imperceptibly
TEN. In I54a it seemed as if every Prince Of
Europe would have TO concede TO his country q
legislative assembly, based upon general SUI
frage, and as if the democratic reconstruction
of Europe would at once begin. OF the popular
conquests Of that year much was subsequently,
lost again, but universal suffrage arrived in
many countries, and forms, in all the Others,
one of the political alma Of powerful and grow.
ing liberal party.
But it is not only for the election Of represent
alive assemblies that universal suffrage has been
employed in Europe; it has repeatedly played,
during the last twelve years, more prominent
part in European politics. 1t has been used in
several countries for changing the form of gov
eminent, or the ruling dynasty, and is beginning
to DC resorted TO in the Congresses Of European
prime es as a better expedient for solving great
international questions than either war or diplo-
matte treaties.
One of the first and most memorable in
stances in which it was in this way employed
was the appeal TO the French nation by Louis
Napoleon after his coup dftat, in 1852 The re-
suit in this instance was not in accordance with
the wishes Of the Liberal party. The republi-
can form OF government was replaced by
monarchical, and most of those rights which
the Liberal party of every European country
had inscribed upon It's banner were either en-
tirely abolished OF greatly curtailed. The OPP
ponents Of liberal institutions, Of course, ell.
deayored TO make the best OF the illiberal vote
of the French people, and TO ridicule and bring
into dscredit all such popular appeals.
But since then the French people have learned
to make a better use of the right of voting. At
every subsequent election the numerical strength
Of the Liberal Opposition has increased. II has
obtained the absolute control Of the vote of
nearly all the large cities, and most of the see
ond-clasS towns, and it is now clear that it is
only necessary TO overcome the ignorance Of the
masses OF the country people, TO be secure of a
great majority of all the voters Of the Empire.
Universal suffrage in France is not only proof
tHul ln' N'uhtil nos h"t i"'t i'i"po'" iH'" 'nV
condition of former mOnarchies, but is All anchor
of hope for the future.
In another instance the resort to popular
vote gave greater satisfaction TO the Liberals Of
Europe. When the long aspirations Of the Ital-
ians for national unity resulted at length, in
1859 and 1860, in the expulsion of all the Italian
princes, except Victor Emanuel, 10 whom the
people looked for the establishment of united
Italy, and Of the Pope, who was protected by
foreign bayonets, Victor Emanuel called Oh the
people of every liberated province to declare
their wish az to their future form Of govern
ment The popular vote established the
entire unanimity of the people with regard
to this question: for in the provinces of Central
Italy 126, 900 votes were cast for, aud only 75G
against, the annexation 10 the States of Victor
Emanuel, and the votes in Tuscany and Ma
pies were similar. The majesty of the popular
will made itself respected. The exiled princes
and their friends proved powcrless; most of
the republicans, with Garibaldi at their head,
their views to the will Of the ma
iority; and Italy, which had hitherto only been
a geographical abstraction, became, in consc- ,
quence of the popular vote, one OF the leading
Powers Of Europe.
In 1862, the people Of Greece rose against