The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-06-05

Il O1SAA sAAA1AS<A1A4>1 u IN Il
law and civil government trampled down in
ten States, and great section Of the Union
ruled by military despot; when they see the
whole power Of great branch Of the govern
ment used to destroy the Executive, and to
strike down the Supreme Court, they naturally
consider what result the success Of these
efforts would produce; and the fear to con-
tinue the government in the hands of such .
party changes the vote Of every thinking man.
1t is change that goes on silently and appears
only in its consequences, as is the case with
all great operations Of the national intellect.
In that great explosion Of national purpose
which followed the firing on Sumter appeared
the thought Of many months; and 1t was so
magniacently unanimous only because every
man had determined what must be done and
was ready-because the national thought was
prepared like mine Of gunpowder and waited
only the match. In election after election
following one another in different States we
now see the growth and progress Of great
change, and it Is clear that counting on this
the party that avails itself Of the great fact in
the right spirit will best utilize It for the ma
donsl welfare. It Is change that points
towards positive assertion Of the supremacy
Of law in the government, of which principle
Chief Justice Chase is the conspicuous repre-
sentative, and it is therefore change that
must make him President of the United States.
Rumersd sickness of the Emperor Ma
In our issue of yesterday we published cable
despatch to the effect that the Emperor Ma
poleon was sick. This is the second report to
the same effect in the space of some few weeks.
1t will not surprise us If it turn out that the
rumor has been i'll founded or that the actual
fact has been greatly exaggerated. True or
not true, the rumor is deeply suggestive. On
the life of no man now living do SO many con-
sequences, probable and possible depend. 1t
is well known that for years past his health
has not been good, and no one who knows the
condition of France and of Europe can wonder
that a rumor of the Emperors illness is felt to
be the most startling sensation of the moment.
We're the Emperor to die at this time it is
quite impossible to say precisely what would
OF what would not follow. One thing it is
safe to say--that Notwithstanding the skill with
which Louis Napoleon has managed France for
nearly twenty years-France of his death
would be plunged into state of anarchy
and confusion OF course his son would
succeed him as Napoleon the Fourth.
The Empress would be regent of the
empire. Prince Napoleon in all likelihood
would be q prominent member of the Council
of State. Either he would or he would not;
but whether honored with Office and power by
the Emperor's last will and testament or ignored
and left aside he would be equally a dangerous
man to the interests Of the Napoleonic dynasty.
Trouble would be sure to arise in the imperial
family, and this trouble would furnish the
desired opportunity both to the Bourbons and
to the republicans.
This, however, is not all. Europe from the
moment of the Emperor's death would cease
to be fearful of France. Italy would become
holder, Austria less cautious, Prussia more
determined and Russia more aggressive. We
would have the Italians again marching on
Rome, Prussia hurrying forward German unity.
Austria, perhaps, in civil war in consequence Of
the syInpathies of her German subjects, and
Russia pushing herself toward Constantinople.
France, without q head and at the mercy of
contending factions, would be 80 occupied with
her own affairs that she would be unable to do
more than enter her protest. Looking at the
situation from this point of view we cannot
much wonder at the Importance which is
attached to the Emperors life. France has,
perhaps, seen her highest point of greatness
under his rule. At the close Of his reign
France and Europe generally will come under
new conditions.