The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-18

HERALD, WEDNESDAY,
tify tyranny. One Of our latest kilograms
from Paris informs us that the official journal,
La France, has found it necessary to object
to the language used by Lord Stanley few
days ago at Kings Lynn, and to speak of his
speech as not reassuring as to the peace OF
Europe. If any proof were wanting to con-
vince US that the general situation in Europe
Is doubtful the attention paid by the official
organ of the Emperor to the speech Of Lord
Stanley furnishes that proof. The truth is
that the extraordinary sensitiveness of the
French Emperor and of his government to
every touch of public sentiment shows that the
empire, powerful and well organized
as it is, rests on slumbering vol
cano, which may any moment burst
forth and destroy it. It is unneces-
sary, however, to reason further upon this
subject. Where the free expression of opinion
is SO much dreaded, or rather where it is so
much held in check as it is in France, there
can be no true liberty; and where there is no
true liberty, the people being enlightened,
there can be no permanent safety to the gov
eminent. The unavoidable inference from this
view of the situation is that the second French
empire, though now some sixteen years of age,
cannot be safely left to lean upon its own
strength.
II is an old and now oft-quoted saying that
when France is satisfied the nations are at rest.
The saying, though somewhat fattering to
French vanity, is not wholly untrue. The peace
of Europe does to large extent depend on tie
peaceful disposition of the French government.
1t is manifest from what we have already said
that contentment is at the present moment a
characteristic neither of the French people nor
Of the French government. 1t is not to be
denied that this discomfort will be increased if
the Spanish people succeed in establishing
either republic or a well guarded constitu-
ask why that liberty which has long been
enjoyed in Great Britain, which is the birth
right of every American and which is now the
property Of every Italian and of every Spaniard,
is still to be denied to them? Europe is rapidly
enfranchising itself. France is the proudest
nation in Europe; but Frenchmen are not free.
Manifestly this state of things cannot continue.
Revolution is in the hearts and homes of the
French people, and every wave of popular
feeling, come from what quarter it may, is
dreaded as the probable occasion Of popular
outburst.
This it is, therefore, which makes the situa-
ton in Europe doubtful and critical If do
mestic questions become serious, SO serious as
to threaten the stability Of the present govern
ment, it may be regarded as certainty that
Napoleon viii distract the attention of his
people by foreign war. Foreign wars have
been useful to him in the past. By war
against Russia he made good his position; by
a war against Austria he greatly strengthened
it, IF a foreign war is now necessary to main
tain that position he is not the man to shrink
from the undertaking. With the French peo-
not be unpopular. Nor is there any lack Of
questions which might easily be worked up
into cdsus Jeli There is trouble enough in
tho East. There is possible difficulty with
Spain. There are war clouds lowering over
the Danubian Princlpalties There is grudge
against Prussia, and the conditions of the
treaty of Prague are still unfulilled. Any
one of these might without difficulty be manip-
ulated into the Emperor's opportunity. Such
a course Of policy is not the less possible that
the French army is fully equipped and ready
for action at moments notice.
Thus looking at the situation in Europe we
dare not say that continued peace is a GER
tainty. II is not without good reason that
Baron Beust is recognizing the army of Aus
tria and putting il on a war footing. Nor was
the language Of Lord Stanley unjustifiable
when he spoke Of the ''overgrown ornaments
Of France and Prussia" and Of the dangers to
be apprehended from their mutual jealousy. y
If war is not certainty it Is safe at least to
say that continued peace is doubtful.