The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-08-24
PeAcefuI Revelation in France.

Peaceful Revelation In France.
From the Providence Journal.
The full text Of the French SendtnS
CoHSittWm corresponds with the cable
reports Of II. Il involves Q very nm
poFtAnt change IN tho mInneriu winch
France is to DO governed this change
10 wholly In the direction OF liberal In.
Btitutlons. Parliamentary lndepend.
ence and ministerial responsibility are
now to be substituted In the place OF
personal government. The emperor is
10 lay aside several Of his most absO-
lutte prerogatlves, and Ia to accept In.
stead OF them the declBlonB Of the
Corps Legislatlf and the Senate. In
theory, at least, the new SendlnS Con.
StsLtuw ID equivalent 10 o new constllu-
ton for the empire.
But under any constitution, and In.
deed under any form OF government,
the actual exercise OF power always de-
ponds very much upon the character Of
the ruler. A monarch OF strong will,
and fond OF the exercise OF authority,
however constitutional he may desire
to be, will impress his own character
upon his reign. He will do things on
his own responsibility which another
would submit 10 the legislature. The
same 10 true OF q President even under a
constitution so clearly defined az our
own. The constitutional power Of Gen,
jackson was the same as that Of Mr.,
Adams or Mr.. Monroe, and yet he did
things which neither OF them would
have yenlured TO attempt. 50 Il will
be In France. twill not be easy for O
ruler like Louis Napoleon, however
good his Intentions, TO lay aside all Of
once the exercise Of personal authority
In the affairs OF State. He will from the
very force OF long habit, continue to
carry on many paFts 0Ithsgoysrnment
very much In the old way, and even In
those matters which must be submitted
to the two Chambers, II will be extra.
ordinary II be does not still attempt to
exercise controlling influence and 10
Impress his own will on the forms Of
legislation.
We are not, therefore, TO look for the
sudden and marked alteration In the
whole action Of the government which
so many people anticipate, though
some change must certainly take place,
But what has been gained 10 the theo i.
retiCal independence OF the legislature
and the more direct action Of public
opinion on the proceedings Of the gov
eminent. The Corps LeRislatif has
now u right 10 discuss and pass upon
the measures that are 10 affect the In
tereSts OF France. 1t 10 no longer a
personal atiront 10 the Emperor 70 de.
mRnd an explanation OF his acts, or to
ask for Information as the basis Of leg.
lslation. The two assemblies will have
something 10 do for themselves. They
will no longer be confined TO sanction.
Ing, with uDqueStioninR submission,
the views Of the Emperor, while he, on
bis part, will be compelled 10 consider
how his views are likely 10 be regarded
by the legislature. The change 10 but
the beginning OF free institutions; but
once begun, Il is inherent In their very
nature 10 expand and to acquire new
strength. Time must elapSe, new
sovereign must probably ascend the
throne, u holder spirit must take DOS
session Of the legislature, before the
traces Of personal power will wholly
disappear from the government; but U
beginning has been made, and the pro.
cess will go on TIL the work Is com.
pleted.
The people Of France seem to be now
nearer to governing themselves than
they have ever been, even under the
most democratic forms which either OF
their numerous revolutions has called
Into existence. They, however, have
changes 10 undergo as we'll as the En-.
peror himself. While he must cease to
be personal ruler, 1t 10 equally essen.
tlal that they shall cease 10 be personal
subjects. This latter will be quite as
difficult as the former. 1t II not their
habit 10 feel much responsibility for
their government. They are accustom.
ed to throw It wholly upon the Chief OF
the State. They complain often enough
Of his acts, and break ont In revolution
to drive him away, but at all periods Of
their history they have been accustom.
ed TO derive their government from
somebody else than themselves. While
the English Parliament has at all times
been q terror to tyrannical Kings, the
Legislative Assemblies OF France, by
whatever nRme they may be called
have been characterized by spiritless
submission to royal DEGREES. Even rev
olutions In France have been wholly
unproductive Of liberty. Their Com.
mittees OF Public Safety, their Coun.
ellis often, their TriumYirates and their
CORsuls have been as tyrannical as the
worst OF the Kings whom they sup
planted. The change, however, now
about TO be inaugarated will Impose on
the people the necessity of sharing In
the responsibility OF governing them-
selves. Unless II does this, and does IL
successfully, the new SendtuS ConSttLttttu
will amount 10 nothing. .I
Many months ago, Mr.. Bancroft, the
historian Of the United States, now the
American Minister In Prussia, sent, as
dispatch to the Government, a iull
account OF the new Confederation OF the
States OF North Germany, OF the for.
nation and Inauguration OF which he
had himself been spectator. Hepro.
nounced 1t the most important political
change that had recently taken place
In Europe. We cannot but think that
the transition Of France from u gov
eminent OF imperial despotism to one
OF an independent Legislature assem-
oly, ls an event OF corresponding, II
not surprising, interest and IMPORT
ance. When We consider the relations
OF France 10 the other nations OF
Europe, It Is plain that the growth Of
freer institutions there will have an In.
huence OF lmmeasurable magnitude on
the fortunes OF the entire continent.
II Is the example Of France alone that
gives 10 despotlsm the prestige 1t now
possesses. Let this be removed and
constitutional government will become
easier to establish everywhere else;