The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-07-20


rassed by the spur of Legislative discussion, TO
what extent he may safely yield to the peoplep
Can it be that he has already repented OF what
he has promised and is trembling for preroga-
tives well-nigh compromised by the pressure
of reform on the one hand and desire Tor
Cancellation on the other? In this message
he seemed to concede all that was expected or
demanded by the opposition; but every one
knows that the realization of these conces-
sions depends upon the sincerity which
actuated them The projected reforms are to
be submitted TO the consideration OF the Sen
ate. In the meantime all ventilation of their
merits in debate is precluded by the hasty and
peremptory adiournment of the sittings OF the
legislative body, and time is given the EN-
peror to consider and determine what effect
such reforms will have upon the temper of
the people, and whether or not his govern
ment and dynasty are likely to be endangered
thereby.
The Senate, if deemed advisable by their
master, can postpone indefinitely or reject
altogether these promised reforms. The pro-
vince of that body, presumed to be true and
tried friends of imperialism, is to act as the
guardian and interpreter of the Constitution,
regulate all questions not specially provided
for by that instrument, and refuse sanction to
all laws or projects of law in violation thereof
or endangering the security of the empire.
The Senators, with scarcely an exception, are
enemies to liberal government, and have
proven ready and willing instruments, under
the tutelage of Napoleon, for aiding and for
warding the ideas of imperialism The plans
and projects of the Emperor fail
not to meet with their concurrence, and
mere intimation from him that any proposed
measure is regarded incompatible with the
well-being and dignity of his Government is
quite sufficient to insure their disapprobation
cf II J11lpC Eo,rra fha 1aoIar
spirit of liberalism in France, appreciated the
situation when he declared his protest against
the suspension of the sittings of the Chamber;
the members of the left understood it when
they vociferously endorsed that protest; the
liberal press realize the gravity and danger of
delay, and charge the Government with the
design of sitting discussion by closing the
session, and the people may accept this pro-
rogation as indicative of a duplcity on the
part of the Executive favoring the most hos
tile conclusions.
Napoleon has gone rather too far to recede
uuless he really means revolution. Judging
from his past history, his wisdom and fore
sight, we cannot believe that he now means
determined resistance to popular will at a
time when that resistance might compromise
all that he holds dear. He may be actuated
by an earnest desire to promote the liberties
of the people at every reasonable sacrifice of
personal government and prerogative. Con-
vincod of the advent of an era of reform,
he may even, with a boldness of initiative
truly Napoleonic, realize, in nforestalling them,
the hopes of liberal France. In exercising
his right to adjourn the Corps Legislatif,
he may have desired nothing more than
to prevent those Jealous and ofttimes
futile discussions which, ''On the eve of a
great liberal act, serve only to provoke hos
tility among rival parties All these and
other good intentions may have been his; yet,
we submit, this sudden prorogation has q
smack of authority and independence which
savors strongly of a continuation of the one
man power In submitting contemplated re-
forms to the consideration of the Senate, we
are inclined, under existing circumstances, to
recognize a desire to gain time, and who
knows but in that time intervening between
the propagation and convocation of the Le-
gislative Assembly changes may take place IN
the spirit of the opposition and spirit of the
people which will convince Napoleon that re-
sistance at every hazard is necessary to pre-
vent the sacrifice of his power and dynasty.
Free thought and free discussion are dan
| gerous only to illiberal and oppressive gov
ernment but if reform and freedom are in
tended, if hopes created by message at once
conciliatory and generous are not to be falsl'
fed, there can be no danger in discussion as
there is no necessity for delay Whatever be
the immediate result of this initiatory con
test in France, no one can be blind to the fact
that republican ideas and the system OF fret
representative government are daily growing
more popular in Europe, and becoming. toe
firmly implanted in the hearts of the people tc
be uprooted by revolution. The republicans
have boldly launched their bark, and it now
remains to be seen whether they are prepared
to conduct it safely through the m@lstrom o
polit ical agitation and possible revolution.