The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-19

which were calculated to appease the ardor OF
the opposition and, for the present at least,
satisfy the aspirations Of the people, is an
imperial stroke Of policy which admits of
many interpretations by no means favora-
BILE to the friends of liberalism Can it
be that Napoleon desires to gain time,
and ascertain, unembarrassed by the spur
of legislative discussion, to what extent he
may safely yield to the people? Can it be
that he has already repented of what he has
promised, and is trembling for prerogatives
well-nigh compromised by the pressure of
reform on the one hand and desire for
Cancellation on the other {? In his mes
sage he seemed to concede all that was
expected or demanded by the opposition;
but every one knows that the realiza-
ton of these concessions depends upon the
sincerity which actuated them. The projected
reforms are to be submitted to the considera-
ton Of the Senate In the meantime all venti-
lation of their merits In debate is precluded by
the hasty and peremptory adjournment of the
sittings of the legislative body, and time is
given the Emperor to consider and determine
what effect such reforms will have upon the
temper of the people, and whether or not his
government and dynasty are likely to be
endangered thereby.
The Senate, If deemed advisable by their
master, can postpone indefinitely or reject
altogether these promised reforms. The pro-
vince Of that body, presumed to be true and
tried friends Of imperialism, is to act as the
guardian and interpreter Of the constitution,
regulate all questions not specially provided
for by that instrument, and refuse sanction TO
all laws or projects of law in violation thereof
or endangering the security of the empire.
The Senators, with scarcely an exception, are
enemies to liberal government, and have
proven ready and willing instruments, under
the tutelage of Napoleon, for aiding and
forwarding the ideas Of imperialism. The
plans and projects of the Emperor fail
not to meet with their concurrence, and
mere intimation from him that any proposed
measure is regarded incompatible with the
well-being and dignity Of his government is
quite sufficient to insure their disapprobstion Of
it. Jules Favre, the leader and master spirit Of
liberalism in France, appreciated the situation
when he declared his protest against the sus-
pension of the sittings of the Chamber the
| members of the left understood it when they
vociferously endorsed that protests the liberal
press realize the gravity and danger of delay,
! and charge the government with the design of
| sitting discussion by closing the session, and
the people may accept this Propagation as in
dicative of duplicity on the part Of the
illusions.
Napoleon has gone rather too far to recede
unless he really means revolution Judging
rom his past history his wisdom and fore
sight, we cannot believe that he now means
determined resistance to popular will at
time when that resistance might compromise
all that he holds dear. He may be actuated
| by an earnest desire to promote the liberties
of the people at every reasonable sacrifice of
personal government and prerogative. Con-
WINGED of the advent of an era of reform,
he may even, with a boldness of initiative
| truly Napoleonic, realize, in forestalling them,
| the hopes of liberal France. In exercising
his right to adjourn the Corps Legislatif
he may have desired nothing more than
| to prevent those Jealous and ofttimes
| futile discussions which, ''on the eve of
great liberal act" serve Gully to provoke hos
tility among rival parties. All these and other
| good intentionsimay have been his; yet, we
submit, this sudden propagation has smack
of authority and independence which savors
strongly of q continuation Of the one man
power. In submitting contemplated reforms
to the consideration of the Senate we are in
clined, under existing circumstances, to re-
cognize desire to gain time, and who knows
but in that time intervening between the pro-
rogation and convocation of the Legislative
Assembly changes may take place in the spirit
of the opposition and temper of the people
which will convince Napoleon that resis lance
at every hazard is necessary to prevent the
sacrifice of his power and dynasty?
| Free thought and free discussion are dan
| gerous only to illiberal and oppressive govern
ment; but if reform and freedom are intended,
if hopes created by message at once concil-
iatory and generous are not to be falsifed,
| there can be no danger in discussion, as
there is no necessity for delay. What
ever be the immediate result of this initi-
atory contest in France no one can be blind
to the fact that republican ideas and the
system Of free representative government are
daily growing more popular in Europe and
becoming too firmly implanted in the hearts
of the people to be uprooted by revolution.
The republicans have boldly launched their
bark, and 1t now remains to be seen whether
they are prepared to conduct It safely through
the maelstrom of political agitation and posi-
BILE revolution.
A YEAR OF PLENTY. --From all parts OF the
country the cheering intelligence continues to