New-York tribune., 1867-05-03


AND wAR-woRKNIEN's STRIKES -LAMARTINE-
ST. BEUvE.
From Our Special Correspondent
PARIS April 10, 1867.
The Luxembourg question is exactly one week
nearer TO a settlement than when last wrote. What
other than this chronological approach to solution
has made none of MS know-probably none OF those
others know Those others, the easIy-ying
crowned heads and their diplomatic secretaries-
the sources of information are probably as dry
Df knowledge on the subject as the rest of us 1t is
only certain that they are very busy with dispatch
writing and the rest of what is called negotiations
If they can have for first result TO induce Prussia 10
evacuate LuXemburg, il is conceivable that they
may so smooth down or smooth over other points
in eontroversy-such as the cessiOn of the little
Territory to this or that power naturalization
Df il, etc.-as TO indefinitely prolOng the actual
European armed truce. If not, then must come.
Napoleon cannot, France will not peaceably leave
Prussianzed Germany in military possession OF that
strong corner of what Girardin with ingenious, mis-
chievOus invention has prOvOcativey called the
"Quadrilateral" The other angles are Saar-Lous,
Mayence and Coblentz. He has published in his paper
chart of this "Prussian Quadrilateral" accOmpa-
MED with explanatory articles showing the geo
graphical strategic and political analogy between it,
to France. and the famous Italian Quadrilatera
TO Italy From ardent Apostle of Peace in general,
he has become for this particular Jealous preacher
of war--and no longer breaches in the wilderness.
And, though the Government likes neither the
preacher nor his sermons his doctrine rs Its and the
nations doctrine" permanent PTussan gaTTl-
son in Iuxemburg is permanent lusult 10 French
national honor and dignity" No government, least
of all whose chief IS named Napoleon can, with
safety 10 itSel long msrepiesent ihe nation Dy en-
and with diplomatic effort in various directions to
get out of its isolation and recover alliance with
some of the powers which its ambiguous judged
governments foreign policy OF late years has
alarmed or ahenated, NapoleOns Government de-
precates for the moment provocatives to the
war spirit Of the nation. Perhaps, sincerely desir
Ous of peace surely sincerely desirOus to appear 30
pending busy negotiations and military prepara-
fonst has given the word to its agents in the news
paper press TO assume this week a soothing pacific
tone 1t has prosecuted opposition paper for hay
ing published a trlting item of news indicative OF
war purpose The news, though unquestiOn-
ably published in perfect good faith, was in
deed false II was unlmp0rtant IN ltSen Dut "
got into print in Opposition paper and
30 the prosecution is rather punishment for the SIN
of opposition than for the error Of false report But
80, another hand grows an error which, some from
ignorance. and some from interest, propagate here
and abroad that all the spirit displayed III France
Is got up by the political mischief OF the
"Old parties This is emnently untrue now, as was
after the battle of SadOwa similar pretense aprOpos
of the national feeling of discomfort that broke
French patriotic vanity and T territorial hopes Now
2s then, the feeling Of discomfort is national The
people do not want war; and they feel that they are
drifting toward that they have got to night for
the maintenance of their security at least of their
national honor, the guardianship of which has been
very ill-admnistered of late.
1t Is the Opposition that alone dares give voice 10
this general feeling which is not only of
InaladministratiOn in the case, but implied aud
severe critque of autOcratc Imperial administration
in general. IL is not simply that the Emperor has
failed TO do everything welof late years, in all his
foreign policy respecting Mexico the United states,
Russia, Denmark Poland, Prussia, and now this Lux
emburg business 20 bungingly started at the wrong
end fail ID nearly TO do anything wellbut that ne
assumed all doing TO himself Discussion OF his con-
tnuous i'll luck, 10 characterize his fortune IN all
These German affairs by mild an expression. irr-
tates him; simple juXtapOstiOn with events OF hls
own and his Immediately authorized agents state
ments and views of Them published within year in
the form of Imperial speeches and letters Of circulars
of his Ministers OF Foreign Affairs and OF discOuTscs
of his Pnme Speaking Minister Rouher, still more
Irritating
Two days ago Emile Girardin was again condemned
90 pay fine Of 5000 francs for newspaper article
In giving its motives for this judgment the Court
emphasized this one that the writer incrnIinated
for exciting hatred and contempt OF the Government
did not undertake TO criticise censre Government
No. The bitterness Of Grardins article lay in his
eollOcating TO Thierss Magsterial Warning: There
IL not mistake left 10 make" ROuhers yaunting
response Not mistake has been made" with
the downright, patent facts Of the situation.
But runDOr s without the reach OF law, "a pipe
Blown BY surnises, teal0nsiee, coDjeetuTes;
And OF 50 easy and so plain % stop
Ihat the blunt monster with uncOunted heads,
The still diseOTdaDt multitude,
Car play upon it,"
And they DO play; mostly war tunes pow higher,