The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-05-02

'AY, MAY 2, l866.-TRlP
Bombardmsnt Of MISREPRESENTATION
Conduct OF tho Spanish, French and
English Authorities.
We announced on the 18th ult. that on the
18th Of March the Spanish government sent
orders to Admiral Nuhez, commanding the
Spanish feet blookading Valparaiso, to bonn
bard that city, and then, Withdrawing to Monte
video, abandon as fruitless the war against the
allied republics of South America.
The first part Of this atrocious programme
has been carried out Valparaiso was bonn
barded on the Slst Of March for three hours
with great fury md with considerable loss
Of life and property. Women and children a.
we'll as soldiers were killed, and churches
and hospitals as we'll as public buildings
were burned. The citizens could not reply
to the fire of the feet in consequence Of the alb
sence Of all defences to their city. The treach-
erous conduct Of the Spanish Admiral appears
to have been totally unwarrantable and highly
criminal, and must lessen him and his govern
ment in the eyes of the civilized world.
Not less criminal, however, was the conduct
Of the French and English Admirals and Con-
suls at Valparaiso, in whose power it was to
prevent the wanton destruction of the property
in the city. Commodore Rodgers, Of the United
States feet, rendered them his hearty co-opera-
ton in any efforts to prevent, by force, if neces-
sary, the commission of the outrage contem-
plated by the Spanish Admiral; but oo-opera-
ton was not only declined, but the French and
British Admirals refused to interfere even to
protect the property of French and English res
idents, who were forced to call upon Commo-
dore Rodgers for protection. The commendable
conduct of this officer and the exertions of our
Minister, General Fitzpatrick, to prevent the
outrage will endear them to their country and
to all civilized nations, and remain forever
reproach to those who so criminally refused to
aid them in preserving the peace.
The Late Election in Francc-The Emu
piro Before tho People.
The people of province of France recently
had On opportunity to express their thoughts
and feelings in relation to the Emperor Napo-
leon and his government. A representative Of
the Department of Bas-Rhin was to be chosen.
There was government candidate and an OPP
position candidate, and the government candi-
date was elected by an immense majority, re-
ceiEing rather more than double the number of
votes cast for his adversary This expression
Of universal suffrage is remarkable. significant
as it is Of the real views Of France of the
of the people taken in any given part of the
country.
His bold faith in his hold upon the people,
the confidence with which he accepts any ap-
peal to the nation, his readiness at all times to
carry his case TO the polling places, is one OF
the greatest facts in the Emperor's history.
From whatever cause it arises, whether it be
the old faith In his name or the result Of a
deeper insight into the character Of the people,
II is ,tnquestionable that this readiness to sub
init his government to the popular verdict Is an
important element Of its strength. It frees il
from any necessity TO consider the embarrass-
ments that factious opposition would put in its
way. 1t liftsit far above tie whole atmosphere
Of party discussion and quarrel. No party can
even have base Of operations against the gov
eminent or get the least foothold in public
esteem; for the party that promises most can
offer nothing more delusive or attractive than
an appeal to the people, and the government is
ready for that at any time, and makes II con-
stantly. Thus the government n not tram
melled by the necessity Of trimming close to any
party breezcs. II may choose its own course
boldly, confidently, only keeping In view the
great mass and body Of the people, watching
the temper and tone of the nation. So long as
II is sure Of these IL may despise all else, and
so long as he can get such verdicts as this from
the Bas-Rhin the Emperor may certainly feel
sure of the people.
is now real political tranquility in France
All the fac tons that in the past have agitated
the country ARE in existence still, but they
have lost that confidence of the people that
was the only elemen. Of their power. Whether
they are Bourbons or republicans IL IL the same
| France, sure Of what she has, and satisfied with
it, will not give it up for the splendid promises
Of any of the parties that have led her such q
horrible dance since she first cast down the
Bourbons This is the declaration she makes
every time she elects q candidate known ia
sustain the government. This is more emphat
| ically still the declaration she has made in
this last election, because it follows SO closely
upon those more than usually bold arraign
ments Of the government that have been heard
in the Chamber Of Deputies this winter. The
old Bourbon oppression had become so bad
that the nation was compelled to get rid Of 1t
and in the cxertons of getting rid OF II she lost
her equilibrium That lost equilibrium of A