The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-08-03
G II A r L E S TO N.
TUESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 8. 1855
The Crisis In France.

The Crisis I'm France
The cry of@"an imminent crisisn in Eu
rope has so oftcn reached us since the dsv
of Sadowa, that the CRY Of "wolf ~. from that
quarter begins to be regarded with much
Of the old proverbial inoredulity, There
are, OF course, on go broad field of heter-
ogeneous and often conflicting interests as
Is represented by the map Of Europe, al.
ways many disputes, now between monarch
and people, now between Church and State,
and again between rival oontending nation
Nlities. The philosopher and the stat az.
man find much in these affairs to interest
and instruct; but whenever they venture TO
give their speculations the form Of prophecy
they are apt to find themselves quite as much
at fault as the rest Of us. The imperial
Sphinx Of France seems, destined ever to
ba file the conjeotures and confound the au-
guries Of the shrewdest Contrary to the
antioipations Of the world, he kept aloof
from the Austro Prussian war Of 1866. So
again the year after, though yielding TO
his eager marshals 80 far as to make great
show Of warlike preparation in the Lux
embourg affair, the difficulty was amicably
adjusted, and Napoleon once more gained
a bloodless victory. 5
Still, duringiall this time, and before tn at
time, and since, notwithstanding all these
smiles Of fortune, Napoleon has not. felt Sc
cure on his throne The opposition to hie
rule in France was neither small nor con-
temptible. However wide their divergence
in all else, the several elements or tnis op-
position-Legitimist, Orleanist, Liberal and
Red Republican-all might at any time
unite against the Emperor's Governments,
and taking advantage OF some temporary
tumult-and such need newer be. wanting
with the mercurial Persian populace-
precipitate revolution. True, the gov
ernment professedly holds its title from the
pledascite, the same authority whose depu.
ties compose the Corps LesislasiE And
although the latter comes much nearer
being true reflex of popular sentiment,
the ballot boxes have always been too
closely watched by imperial bayonets, with
view to securing good government ma
jority in the law giving body. In spite,
however, Of all the genius and tact OF Ma
poleon, in spite OF o brilliant aud success
fui reign and o large, obedient and well
drilled army, the talent and patriotism of
the opposition have made themselves more
and more felt with each succeeding year.
From time to time there has been a pre-
tence Of yielding to their demands for an
increase Of liberty, as when in November,
1860, he granted the right Of address, or.
in January, 1867, the Emperor announced
that he was about to set the crown upon The
edifice Of liberty which ho MAD reared.
Liberty Of the press, privilege Of public
meeting, right Of Interpolation, &c., those
were q few ofthe gli.te-;ng generalities that
were yielded-s mere sop to the democratic
French Cerberus-not tho light OF liberty,
but mere ignis Jatuus Il was known at
the time, that the decree Of January 40,
1861, just referred to, had been made in
opposition to the entire ministry. This, SO
far looked well for the Empsror's, good in
tentions; but ut-when Rouher and his reao.
tionary colleagues were retained in the Cab.
net and nothing svar came as she new priv.
.ilsgss that had been sssshsredE in; with
90 90 great . flourish Of trumpets. the disoop.
cent inereased%asaaa was famed into flame
by heavy taxation. onsroue oonscri is,sicsa
and manipulated ballet boxes, until On the
occasion Of the recent popular elections
there were signs Of disafeotion 80 wide
spread as to canse serious alarm. That tths
outbreaks were net mere sensational news
paper rumors. ma some would have us bs
lieve, 10 best proved from the effect these
events have had ON his Imperiel Majesty
himself Although he had heretofore uni
formly opposed Psrliamentary Governmen,
(in the English sense) and ministerial re Y
sponssib'fity. he has now, yielded the latter
at least OF these two; the mihisters have
sent In their resignation, sand a new Cabi
net, more liberal and more In conformity
with the will Of the people, is 20 be con-
istructed. II 10 unfortunate that this act 81
poassical iiberality was accompanied by the
prorogation Of the Corps Legislatis, look.
ing muons 90 IL the Empersr were afraid 10
trust that body sgssssout well trained minis
terial leaders, snch % perhaps may AurD
npin the next session. Tho Libarsls are
furious et this duplioity, as they term 1t
Tse Emperor's message proposing the new
privileges was at Asst hailesl ss an unmixed
boon; bat now, siaSs II has been more
closely studied, many contend THAI with its
many antiquities IL may turn ont to be Of
no moro real worth shan tbe Oft quoted
enlargement Of popular liberties OF Jan
..'naFy, 1857" IS &
The Emperor, Of course, is 10th that the