The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-18

The social md GOVERNMENTAL Situation
Radical Agitation ana ss.Iako Believe"
WHAT the Solid, Substantial
Glasses Really Waut--Lab0r and Capital
The ss.strikcs.O
PARIS, Nov. 4. 1869.
II ls dflcult to write letter from PARIS without
saying something ABOUT politics; but the writer Is
at all conscientious he will drop the sensational
style so much In vogue Of late, and instead OF pre-.
dieting riots and revolutions he will record passing
and coming events with the simple comment that
any serious nrraeti0ns OF public order were never
less likely than at the present moment. We arc to
have another election in Paris the 2lst and ed Of
this month, for four candidates to the Legislative
Body, in the place Of the four radicals who were
elected In last May but who having been elected at
the same time seats in the Legislature III the
provinces resigned their elections Ia Paris, in the
expectation OF getting four other candidates OF the
political stripe added to the opposition In the
Chamber. IL IS . wonder the government does not
reform THIS crying abuse or the electoral law which
allows candidate TO present himself II he chooses, to
all the constituencies OF France at the time. In
ls4s Lamarine, then at the height Of his popularity
was elected III something ike forty-two different
places and he could sit for but OF those forty
one new elections had TO be gone through. The same
thing on smaller scale took place in May last, and
the country therefore kept in continual fever OF
political agitation by the new elections rendered
necessary by this absurd and Objectionable usage.
No more striking instance or ITS Inconvenience. TO
say the least need be gwen than tho new elections
that are 10 come or IN Paris In couple OF weeks.
Everybody had enough OF this sort OF thing last
spring, but here we are called on to quaI the
same nauseouJ draught over again, 10 the dis
gust OF everybody but the revolutionary party, but
who are always glad to parade themselves ana their
subverstye doctrines before the community. There
Is certainly no reform more necessary in France
than to assimilae these electoral laws TO those Of
England and the United states; and when the gov
eminent sees that 1t is only the ultra opposition that
pronts by This garng defect Of the law, II IS re.
peat a marvel they do not set promptly about it,
modification.
II Il rather hard 10 say what VIII be Inc result OF the
new elections the 2lst inst There Is decided re.
action going on IN the minds OF the upper and middle
classes OF Paris. Last spring the dominant sentiment
or all classes was TO curtai the excessive power OF
the Emperor "Down with personal government
was then the popular cry, and this widespread
feeling operated through France TO such an extent
as TO reduce the usual majority OF the Emperor from
some three millions TO IL was the significant
| manifestation that startled the Emperor into
promptly taking tho country into partnership witt,
him, was shown last July by the mod lhcatlon or
Tue cOBssitullOu ne bhcn plOpO5El MS sehsiDe Ton
duct then, and The proofs given suce OF his desire
70 conform 10 the wishes OF the country whenever
Enthusiastically expressed have satisfied public opinion
not only tn Paris, but everywhere. Hence the re.
action In the capital which drss mentioned. But
another cause has contributed considerably TO bring
this about. since last August Napoleon has given
uhbounded hDefty to the press, and the offensive
excesses committed BY the revolutionary organs
nave aroused general aversion, II not dread. A
Striking proof OF TINS 10 exhibited by the severe
JoteHu aes Be6ots, perhaps the highest tone paper
sure o. me respectable press Of Paris Not only the
ia Iarls, put Ia L0te, tue organ oil Girardin, and
even Le Secie, the chief republican paper ali mite
~ loudly denounchg the Voience and scurility OF
tue ultra journals THIS IL not only good
sign OF tho abacment OF that fierce political spirit
90 long characteristic Of the french press put shows
that good sense aud good taste gaining settled
ascendancy ia Franco Tho vulgar attacks on tho
Empress have shocked every one There is no de.
nying she Is very popular parsonage. Though
somewhat suspected OF a partianty for tho clergy
her life has been SO blameless ana dstlngul shed by
so many touching acts OF charity and munl1ccnce
that she has become dear TO the heart OF the people
and respectable In the eyes or the decided enen es Of
the empire. 10 abuse and dlsparaee her. therefore.
we're equally stupid and 1nseciny. Whatever
defects the French may have there Is disputtug
their proyerbal galautry, ane the cruelties Of the