The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-21

House.
Mr. George W. Childs, proprietor of the Philadelphia
Ledger, with his family will sail for Europe to-day
Napoleon md the Flap of Europe.
It is said there is a general expectation in
Paris that the Emperor Napoleon will shortly
declare in favor of liberal reforms, and that
this, together with rumors of large reduction
1ucnce upon the public mind both in France
and England. No living statesman knows
better how to march with events or to turn
them to account than Louis Napoleon. We
have said, in our remarks upon the effects of
the revolution in Spain, that he would be
placed in the dilemma either to make an effort
to repress the movement beyond the limits of
the peninsula or to make concessions to It.
Such movement as that in Spain arouses
with electric power the liberal sentiments of
the people in Europe, and none feel it sooner
OF more powerfully than the French. We are
not surprised, then, to hear that the astute
Napoleon contemplates liberal reforms in his
empire, with view to satisfy the aspirations
raised by the Spanish revolution so as to ride
safely through the storm.
If we glance at the policy of Napoleon
through all the wars, revolutionary movements
and changes in Europe since he assembled the
throne we shall see that he has almost always
placed himself at the helm and turned events
to his own safety and the glory of France He
succeeds even in saving himself from his own
Ovr ,ic oIou hSr v,ovu oh Of hio
course or policy to suit existing circumstances.
A remarkable instance of his skill in this re-
spect was seen in the adroit manner Of his
escape from the Mexican dilemma. Humili-
ating as the fasco Of that scheme of establish
ing an empire in Mexico was, he managed to
get out OF IL with admirable skill as soon as he
saw the dangerous and untenable position he
was in.
Shortly after Napoleon had squelched the
revolutionary and insurrectionary movements
in France, beginning in 1913, and had
placed himself on the imperial throne, he
formed close alliance with England and
dragged her into war against Russia. BY
the success of that war in the Crimea
he accomplished several great objects and
made himself the foremost man OF Europe.
| lie curbed the ambitious projects Of Russia
| and limited her power In the East In fact he
settled FOR period the long vexed question Of
| Russian dominancy in that part Of the world
| and secured the independence and integrity OF
| Turkey. lie acquired the cordial alliance Of
| England, the gratitude and friendship Of Tur-
1 Iav onI tho reupocf of Ruuc;o nd tba raot M
| Europe. French influence has been potential
| in that part Of the East ever since. All this
| nattered The pride OF the French and gave
| stability 10 his government II was grand
stroke Of policy worthy of the greatest states
man. The next important movement he made
| in adjusting the map Of Europe, and, at the
same time in curbing the revolutionsts Of
| Italy, was the war against Austria. In this ht
| became the ally OF Victor Emanuel and at the
battles before the Quadriateral drove the Aus
trians from that part Of Italy and made the
Italian kingdom power in Europe. Will,
reducing the dominion and power OF Austria
be quenched the revolutionary fires in Italy art
beyond, aud established stronger monarchy
across the Alps than had existed for ages
Al one blow he suppressed the republicans,
weakened Austria, enlarged and strengthened
the Italian monarchy, changed the map 0
Southern Europe, made himself master of th'
Pope and acquired greater glory for France
Though he did not participate in the NOR
recent war between Prussia and Italy on thu
one side and Austria on the other, he per
mitted Italy TO seize venetia and Prussia Z
destroy Austrian influence in Germany. Ill
might have prevented this, but there woul'
have been some risk 10 attempting to do SO
and 't was not the policy of France to see the
Aussrians any longer in Italy, where theil
presence tended to stir up revolution at al
times. II the results Of that war were no
such as he wished or expected as regard
Prussia-if they went beyond the limits hi
desired in erecting too great power II
Germany-he has had the tact to keep out o
q costly and dangerous war himself and {,