The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-09-20
Complication Of Affairs In Europe.

Complication Of Affairs In Europe.
Although the news by mail from Europe
which we published yesterday has been an
ticipated to some extent by the cable tele-
grams, there is much that is strikingly interest
ing not noticed before. We may notice espe-
cially the address Of the Duke de Persigny at
Montbrison at the Inauguration of the Diana
Hall at that place. The occasion did not seem
to warrant any such elaborate and profound
views of governments and governmental policy
as he uttered. Indeed they were, to use
common expression, farfetched. But the Duke
de Persigngy followed tie example Of his mas
ter, the Emperor Napoleon, and, we may say,
the example Of many public men of other
countries at the present day, In taking advan-
tage of any public opportunity, however In
significant, to make sort Of oracular DECLARE
ton on public affairs. The Duke was inspired
probably by hints from Napoleon.
The substance Of this truly Napoleonic ad-
dress is a plea for absolutism. In true French
and Napoleon theoretic style he speaks Of the
progress of ideas. Of the elevation Of the
erty," of 1.-THE reign of a mighty democracy
just beginning" Of the banquet Of civlliza-
ton" when the "popular masses so long disin-
herited" demand their share in government.
He says, in enthusiastic style, that the people
are crying out in their mighty aspirations to
the sovereign Of their choice (Napoleon), King
Of the people, onward =" This sort Of hifalutin
fo1E kho toh N
Frenchmen, but in our practical common sense
way of viewing things we naturally ask, What
does 1t all amount to! What il there in il
Words, words, mere theories; and nothing but
words and theories. That is all there is in il.
In other parts Of the address We discover
what the Duke il aiming at "True liberty
he says, 'csnnot exist without authority"-that
rs, imperial or kingly authority that the
first duty Of prince is to secure public ORDER"
and that this ia to be maintained "by the
sword which God or the nation gives him as
his own" and that TO desire to tear II from
his hands in the name Of liberty IL a sure sign
that the liberty thus invoked is but lie." In
illustration Of this doctrine he mentions the
case of the King Of Prussia following his own
will rather than that Of the legislature or
people. "The deputies OF Prussia" he said,
who in their inexperience believed that they
were augmenting their new liberty by dimin-
ishing the privilege of the crown,
were certainly animated by honest intentions.
But what would have occurred but for the re-
solution Of the King, After having disarmed
the Prince they would themselves have been
exposed, without defence, to those violent
spirits who are always ready to falsiiy the con
ditions Of liberty and to exaggerate lis conse-
quences." Without going into the question OF
how far Prussia has or has not been benefited
in the late extraordinary crisis she has passed
through by the Kings assumption of authority,
we must say that we have rarely seen so
thorough and such an ingenious plea for alb
solutism as this OF the Duke de Persigny.
Now, what does all this French theory end
these idees Ndpolee,mes amount tot II Is
neither more nor less than an effort TO recon-
cile two principles Of government that are
utterly irreconcilable--th imperial and the
democratic. Great stress Is laid upon the idea
Of universal suffrage, Of giving the whole mass
Of the people what is called . voice In the gov
eminent. But we have seen in France how
universal suffrage may exist without liberty
and under the most dsspotio government. In
fact under such government as that of Napo-
leon this pretended universal suffrage Il farce.
Persigny, Napoleon and al the rest Of the men
at the head Of affairs in France are mere
actors, declaiming pretty theories 70 people
who are too apt to swallow them rs established
principles.
But taking in view the principles at work
throughout Europe, As we'll as in France, We
think we see . state Of things in the future that
will upset all these nnc theories All the lives
Of Cesar that Napoleon or his friends may
write, and all the ingenious speeches Of such
men 20 the Duke de Persigny canaot arrest the
progress Of common sense ideas on the subject
Of government The Emperor, or possibly his
successor, may for a short time obscure the
truth; but in the end the principles Of true de-
mocracy, Of the republican democracy Of
America, must prevail. These principles, In
reality, are now operating In Europe In crea-
ting "a undeywell Of ooualsr sentiment that