The Portland daily press., 1869-12-23
DAILY PRESS.
PORTLAND
Thursday Morning, December %, 1869.
The Closing Year.


In a careful review of the history of the
eventful year which is now drawing to close,
with its enlightened spirit of progress, its
great works OF modern enterprise, industry,
art and science, and reformatory government
al measures, the New York Herald truly re-
marks that in the last work France has taken
the lead of the Continental powers. When
Napoleon leads other potentates must follow.
The elections in May, foreshadowing the doom
OF personal government, have already yielded
results beyond the most sangune expecta-
lions OF the people. We have seen the great
chief OF personal rule parleying with the ad.
vance guard OF the legonaries of democracy,
granting legislative concessions and inspiring
Senalus Consultum which, if judiciously
improved, will soon operate the transforma-
ton OF the zone man" power into an admin
lstration responsible to the people. We have
seen prince of the blood bringing his un-
qualified support to measures which even en-
danger imperialism and astounding the Sen
ate with most profound and liberal COM
mentary thereon. We have remarked Napo-
leon further signalize new departure in fa-
vor of popular principles by proclaiming a
general amnesty to press and political offend
ers, which, as is now intimated, may include
even the Orleans princes, exiled by the re-
public. Greater latitude has been permitted
to the press and to public discussion; the OBJ
noxious Rochefort is suffered to 90 at large,
receive the ovations of his friends, take his
seat in the Corps Legislatif and flaunt his
jeers at the imperial family. A new Ministry,
less absolutist and with healthy counter
poise of radical" sentiment infused therein,
is to be formed, and the Legislative body,
nov in session, are to give practical operation
to refomatory measures-the outgrowth of
parliamentary government. All this promises
much for France, and it remains to be seen
what permanent profit will be derived there
from.
The triumphs of commercial enterprise, of
science and capital which completed such
works as the Pacific Railway, the French
Transatlantic cable ard the Suez Canal will
be remembered with the victories of govern
mental progress which loosened the fetters of
despotism and formed the starting point of an
era of enlarged liberties for the people of Eu-
rope. Great Britain, too, has not been inact-
i've the while in the promulgation of import
ant reforms. We record the extension of
suffrage, the disestablishment of the Irish
Church, &c. Would that we could add am
nesty to the imprisoned Fenians, as an earn
est of generous policy of Cancellation to-
wards Ireland, instead of the hitherN fruitless
one of coercion.
This year OF grace is made further memora-
BILE by the Ecumenical Council now assembled
at Rome. 1t would be premature yet to at
tempt to define the aims and consequences of
this manifestation. Fit proceed to endorse
syllabus in hostility to the principles of mod
ern Christianity, to proclaim the infallibility
of the Pope, and give countenance to dogmas
that i'll accord with the spirit of the age, its
character must be regarded as purely reac-
tionary. Whatever be the result of the delib-
erations of Plus TX. and his counsellors, the
Catholic Church at large will hardly assume
the fruitless task of opposing barrier to
progress, nor is it by any means certain that
the Council will hazard the alternative of re-
volt by insisting upon such requirement.
We might dwell at length upon other
events in Europe which have characterized
the year 1869. The steps taken to forward
the uni6cation of Germany and the vigilant,
jealous watch thereat of France; the Dalma-
tian troubles, secretly instigated, perhaps, by
Turco-Egyptlan quarrel temporarily quieted
by outside pressure, and the convulsions Of
Spain in wild hunt for royalty, are questions
likely at any time to disturb European equi-
libriums and greatly affect the internal af-
fairs of kingdoms and empires. And in any
future issue provoking revolution at home Or
war with rival Powers, who shall say that the
people, becoming more and more enlightened,
will not be profted?
As further evidence of the growth of popu-
lar principles we refer to the strong republi-
can element manifesting itself in Spain and
Portugal, by rebellious outbreaks which exer-
else the utmost vigilance of the authorities to
suppress. A cursory glance at the present
status of European politics will strengthen
any one in the conviction that progress is ac-
tive and working for reforms which must ad-
vance the liberal tendencies of government
and rebound to the good of the oppress ed and
| rebuke of the oppressor.