The Portland daily press., 1869-06-23
THE PRESS.
Wednesday Morning. June 90, 1859.


Liberalism i'm Europe. ~
In the varying aspects of European affairs
we can clearly see that the governing classes
are gradually losing power and the people are
rising and asserting their rights. True, the
masses often meet with checks to their pro-
gress, and if they cannot overcome them they
pass round and leave them until more favora-
BILE opportunities afford them better positions
and modes OF attack. And, if at times they
are compelled to make retrograde move
ment, it is only to gain strength for more vig-
orous attacks upon the stronghods of the ar
istocracy. The idea that any one person or
class is born to command and that the people
come into this breathing world with saddles
on their backs all ready for a select few to
vault into and ride, is becoming more and more
obsolete every year. The utter absurdity of
such notion that has prevailed so long in
the cid world is becoming more and more ap-
parent, and the time is coming when all will
wonder that it has continued SO long to give
form to human governments and keep certain
personages in power.
There are several master spirits of Liberal
ism scattered over Europe who are hard at
work in rousing the people to clearer con-
ception of their rights and giving better
tone to public sentiment, and these are in
creasing in numbers and power.
John Bright's recent letter addressed to a
meeting at birmingham is one of the signif-
cant signs of the times. He intimated in very
distinct terms that the House of Lords would
commit suicidal act if they refused passage
to the Irish Church Bill. Suppose some sub
iect of the British Empire had presumed few
years ago to breathe out such threat against
that august body, he would have been laughed
at, scorned, and considered either a maniac or
fool. But how is it now? Did such an ad-
monition fall still-born from the lips Of the
great Commoner? No! Its warning voice was
not only heard, but also needed. This embod-
led wisdom of the empire heard the prophecy
and feared its fulfillment They knew-they
felt that it was voice coming up from the
people. Never before in the history of their
country have they felt the full force of the
old axiom, Vor popuH, vor Del as they feel it
now. aiiis
The recent election in France, too, is anoth-
er sign of the times pregnant with meaning
The result of this election cannot be misunder-
stood, neither in this country nor in Europe. =
1t represents solemn judgment against the
present government of France 1t can be con
sidered in bother light. There is in 1t "man-
ifest destiny" and the Emperor feels it, al
though no monarch in Europe can conceal his
emotions more adroitly than he can. He has
stBdied and rarfeaisi in that art had
ter than any one now on the throne in Europe.
But, adroit as he is, he cannot much longer
hoodwink his people and conceal from them
the ambitions that move his heart The Lib
erals are ON his track, and his power to cover
it up is on the wane. The French must ere
long undergo another revolution Although
the French people love glory, yet they also love
liberty. A decree has gone forth in their re-
cent election which will, sooner or later, be
obeyed, and Napoleon, if he lives, must sue
cumb to the spirit of the age. His largest cit
les. those centres Of business and intelligence,
have gone against him. and he has not the
powsrto confine that liberal spirit within their
narrow bounds. 1t must spread all over
France in spite of all opposition from the
throne or its hackers.
Let us look at the figures made in the May
election. There were seven million two hun
dred thousand votes cast. Nearly half Of these
votes were thrown against the government.
and yet the votes were SO manipulated and
the election districts so divided that they Sc
cured two hundred and fifty supporters in the
Chamber, while the opposition gets only one
hundred members. But these hundred baye
power which the Emperor may not dream of
in his philosophy, but which must yet be felt
throughout the borders of France because it is
strongly backed mp by the people. Be it re-
membered that revolutions generally begin in
the centres Of thought and intelligence, and
the Emperor's friends-if such they may be
cailed-are principally confined to the rural
population, which in France is ignorant If not
absolutely benighted. But these peasants
are growing wiser every year. They win not
always be held in bondage. The spirit oflib-
erty is at work in their hearts and their heads
are becoming better informed every day,
The fire has already been kindled True, it
has slumbered too long in its embers, but the \
breath from the people has recently givenlit
flame whose light is seen all over the country.
1t cannot be put out by any art or continuance
of which the Emperor is master 5
1t is said that the peasantry of France COM
pose seventy per cent of the entire popa1aticn-
and large numbers of these are SO much gov
erned by superstition and confined to the use
of their limited means to keep soul and body
together, that they are afraid to express their
minds through the ballot box except so order
ed by those who have the care of their souls
But the world progresses and SO do these peas
ants. They have heard that Queen Isabella
was compelled to "pack up her duds'' and
leave her lofty throne and glittering palaces,
And why may not Napoleon be compelled to
do the same? These hard-working men have
not much sympathy for those who live in
splendor and idleness. They know they were
not born with silver spoons in their mouths
and now they begin to think that they were
not born with saddles upon their backs and
brides in their mouths for others to mount
and ride them. The Liberals of Europe have
done,a good work, but their Iabors have not |
yet ended. There is more for them to do. The |
world has been governed too much, but not too !
wisely. Before this generation passes, there |
will be great changes, and we trust they will |
be for the interests of the people. a 1
1t is much to be regretted that Gen. Dix on
the occasion of his retirement from the French
mission should have felt it his duty to speak of |
tho Emperor in such extrauagaatH eulogistic /
terms and poured bis hattering unction SO co. /
piously yapon the Empress. The time was not
well chosen as France had just gone through
such an exciting election in which the spirit
OF liberty and the principles of republicanism
We're SO deeply involved. We agree with the
Boston Advertiser when it says: sit was an
unfortunate time for him to betray the effect
which the voice Of the siren has had upon him
and to throw the weight of his influence |
against every phase of the liberal movement.