The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-15

WILL, therefore,, 6ltneT nave w give up ltS Sruuu
plans for the west side Of the bay, or il will
have to make its appeal to Congress and to
the power of the geaeral government to regu-
late commerce ''between the States"
The Opening OF tho Reichsrath-The Em-
peror's Speech.
This is the season for the opening of Parlia-
of that Sort We have had the Emperor
Napoleon's speech on the occasion of the open
ing of the French Chambers. We have had
President Grants Message on the occasion of
he opening of the United States Congress
We have just had by cable telegram outlines
of the speech of the Emperor Francis Joseph
on the occasion OF The opening of the Austrian
Reichsrath. We have had other speeches of a
similar kind from other quarters. They have
all been able, and more or less 10 the point
Our present business, however, is with the
speech of the Austrian Kaiser.
Austria has on instruction on her hands
The Emperor is not prepared to let Dalmatia
60, but he is in favor of Cancellation, 80 far as
Cancellation is possible. Internally the
Austrian empire is in trouble because Of the
conflicting claims OF tao different nationalities
of which the empire Is composed. All the
rest Of the world is centralizlns authority.
Capitalization has long been the dominant
idea In the governments Of Europe. Il is
the dominant idea of these United States.
Decentralization has begun to express itself
in France. 1t is not without warm advocates
all the world over But Austria is the only
great Power In modern times that has honestly
made the experiment Of uniting imperial
power with national, or, as we should call it
in this country, State rights. Hungary is part
of the empire; but Hungary is virtually an
Independent kingdom. Hungary, however,
has no more right to autonomy than Bohemia
and Bohemia asserts her rights. 1t is not
different with the other Kingdoms and pro-
vinces of the empire. How far 1t is possible to
60 in the direction Of dividing authority is
question of some difficulty. The exepri
ment in Austria has 50 far worked well but
it has not been so successful as to render eau
ton unnecessary. To the different nationals
ties, therefore, the Emperor is not unwilling to
grant important concessions; but much as he
is willing to please, lie distinctly announces
that the autonomy Of the provinces will be re-
spected only so far and 80 long as it is found
compatible with the maintenance Of the unity
and power Of the empire. From the point OF
view of Francis Joseph this is just and honest.
We may differ from him. but we cannot blame
him. The experiment in which he is engaged
is one in which we, like other nations, have
some interest. How far central national au-
thority is compatible with provincial or State
independence Is question not yet by any
means solved. Light from any quarter
ought to be welcomed.
1t is gratifying to learn from the Emperor's
own lips chat Austria is on the best OF terms
with ell foreign Powers and that the aspect
of affairs in Europe is peaceful and satisfac-
tory. This, perhaps, is the best answer to
those dreamers who are perpetually discover
ing new and dangerous alliances. The Euro
pean Powers are friendly with each other.
BY some this friendship is interpreted on
principles which are at once ridiculous and
absurd. II all the alliances Of which recently
we have heard were facts Europe, in place of
being divided would be a united and happy
family. No one can deny that Europe has
much trouble on hand; but the trouble is ma
tional, not ternational-internal, not exter-
nal. In spite of the troubles in Ireland, in
France In Austria in Spain, in Portugal and
elsewhere, the nations are at peace with each
other. On tn whole the Emperor speech is
rcassuring.