Middletown transcript., 1868-02-22
The state OF EarePe.'

1 - ~~~-"R~'
1t is rumored in England that Lord
Stanley will shortly succeed Earl Derby
at the head of the government. The lat
ter is fast failing in health, and the pres
sing and stirring events Of the times make
it necessary that an active and vigorous
statesman should be at the helm In order
to guide the Ship Of State clear Of the
breakers by which it IL surrounded. Eng-
land is passing through political crisis
| at this time. On the Continent her power
and influence are in the :" sere and yellow
leaf" II eliminated. during the. .Crimean
war, when France assumed the lead in
military matters, and held It in the face Of
the world. Since that time the position
Of England among the Great. Powers has
been advisory rather than commanding.
At home, changes of a vitality important
character have taken place during the past
year. The elective franchise has been
altered, enlarged, extended, and more
than million Of voters have been added
to the elective roll. The reform bill was O
wide step in the direction of popular suf-
frage, and the new Parliament may Weld
to the popular demand and push on the
column still further In that direction. II
has been said revolutions never go back
ward, and this may be the case in Eng
land. Discomfort in Ireland, murmurings
in England, the bold doctrines proclaimed
by Bright and other reformers, and the
evident leaning of some Of the hitherto
leaders of the anti-reform party, towards
still more radical changes id the political
system Of the kingdom, are signs presa-
ging revolution in England that will
take power from the favored few, and place
in the hands Of a more diffused constitu-
ency. This is the future which England
must face, and it is no wonder she is cal
ling upon her young and capable states
men to assume the reins of power. 's
In France the semi-official journals deny
that there will be any immediate change
in the Ministry, and contradict the report
that the government contemplates impor-.
tant alterations in the Constitution Of the
Empire. The frequent recurrence Of such
rumors is some proof that they are not to-
tally without foundation, AS systems
change in Europe, Napoleon must change
with them. He cannot make the laws Of
France like those Of the Medes and Per-
sians-unalterable Bismarck has revo-
lutionized the whole Of Central Europe,
and in Russia the Czar has perfected some
important reforms These are indications
of a movement in the Old World with the
view of meeting whatever there NAV be
in the future. France cannot ignore these
facts, especially when it is certain that the
Bourbons are conspiring with a view Of
claiming the sceptreiof that kingdom at
the death Of the present ruler, If not be-
fore. If, therefore, Napoleon would per-
petuate his dynasty, he. must follow the
example of England, and meet the change
OF the current witksa new set at the helm.
The present year will be an eventful one
in Europe, and the beginning Of the next
may find a new condition of affairs in many
ofthe leading nations. - Philadelphia Age.
If nations, like individuals, dorive q
certain consolation from the misfortanes of
their neighbors, the United States ought
to be very cheerful indeed in contempia-
ting the difficulties under which France la
bors just at present. jealous of Prussia,
bothered about Rome, having to contend
with the ill-will of foreigners and the dis
content Of its own citizens, with deficit
In the budget, press that has to be muz-
zle by force, and an army that, has TO be
increased by most stringent means, Louis
Napoleon, who wears his crown by the
Grace Of God we suppose, as most Empe-
rors do, must secretely confess that 1t is a
most thorny one. +s ga II Z
Of the actual condition of France and of
the feeling of the people, we know little.
One is not likely to learn much of coun-
try where a book is suppressed before ii is
issued, if it contain any satire upon the
government, and where editors, not only
have to sign every article they write, but
are liable in addition to heavy fines and
imprisonment for commenting freely even
upon the debates of the.Assembly. 1t was
but few weeks since that we received
news of the incarcertion of several of them,
and it is not to be wondered at that the
revision of the Military Laws and the dis
cussion of the Law of the Press have excl.
ted little or no comment. Still the debates
are very important as giving some indica-
tion of the true condition of France and
the feelng that peryades society. 1t is
not probable that nation can be threat
ened with a draft of 4O0, 900 men. and
still be perfectly indifferent to it. Russia
has now j. 440, 900 men, effective force on
war footing. Austria has / POO, 900
men, independent Of her National Guard
The confederation of Northern Germany
has 300, 900 men. Italy has 900, 900
men, including National Guard and vol
unteers. These four Continental Powers
can put 5 1000, 900 men on q war footing
at short notice. France, which had
800, 900, has determined to raise its effec-
tive force to !, 200, 900. 1t has to be done
and Louis Napoleon does not wish to have
it discussed. Baltimore Gazette. I, 4 4
A special dispatch from Madrid to the
New York Herald, states that the Carlist
leaders have commenced revolution in
the north of Spain, against Queen Isabel
las crown, and fighting has already taken