The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-24

the desire Of Napoleon. and henceforth the legsla-
tive body win be freed rom the muzzie which
| upon It, Hereafter the Emperor con exercise no
| power. spend no money, or make an International
\ representing the people Of France by election.
This enectually ends the supremacy OF Napoleon
Ill and the destlnies OF Ills country, II Is wise act
| even more than great one, his voluntarily abdca-
ting the dictatorship In which he was still sustained
by large majority. not only OF the Assembly re-
Gently elected but OF the popular VOTE II IA long
time since one OF our presidents was elected with
such majority as the government candidates OBJ
tanned in May last There is at this moment ma
ory OF 900 out OF 5000 600 OF votes In favor
Napoleon's constitution OF 1852 In spite OF this de-
cded preponderance which he might preserve easily
enough to the end OF his reign, he ad resolved to
give up his sovereignty ana to divide his power with
the elected representatives Of France, Why be has
this rare act OF abuegaton have already explained
IN previous letter, when stated month ago that
such was his firm intention. There were thousands
I'D TINS country, and as many OUT who doubted such
triumph over himself His uncle abdicated in 1914
at Fonanebeau and again after the battle OF Water
loo Just for the reason that many sovereigns have
done before and since because they could not help
IT, This assuredly, was not the case with Napoleon
exercise Of arbitrary power, and that, as said
formerly Is the preservation OF his dynasty and the
SUI cession Of his SON. His object now Is 70 naugu
the phase now is here the government Of the coun.
try by the country, which means the government OF
'O Ths was tried rom the M of Nspoeon
l. to the fall OF Charles X, aud again from
looV 10 tho lalt Oh LOUIS fuIlIppo UuiOftuubteiyt
the politicians and press Of this country split up
into SO many factions all aspiring to the government,
and they are besides such hotheaded and po-
htcally inexperienced men that they are sure to
get into mess and upset things generally. But It
Is an admirable idea OF Napoleon to set parliament
tary government agoing while he Is still on the box
and can occasionally catch hold OF the reins II these
nrey French steeds show symptoms Of running
away.
1t Is simply ridiculous to suppose that the French
can ever De governed as the English or Americans
are; but 1t 10 not improbable that something like o
constitutional government can be cOntrlved that
may be more or less adapted to the French idOsyn-
cracy ana II such political structure Is possible
then the greatest artncer OF that kind Of work OF
his day may assist very materially In setting 1t up
This Is the great job now before Napoleon to con-
struct an easy going constitutional regime that his
son, with or without talent the case may be,
shall be able to cO-axlst with. This would suit the
mass OF the French who are well disposed to Napo-
leon for the great services he has rendered. but also
dread any more revolutions. They will hail the ad-
vent OF his son II he comes In with q system Of
government that promises duration. 1t 10 certain
that the institutions now existing could only last
while their author lived to manage them; but II .
new set are organized Of the fashionable pattern,
adapted to the taste Of the day, why, then, the
chances OF Napoleon ~. succeeding his father IN q
may have written rather TOO fully on the Sendtus
COlSttunl and its meaning, but 1t Is Interesting for
those who are TOO far or to follow events closely to
be kept carefully posted upon matters greatly talked
OF and often mlsrepresented