The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-03
pLONPLONS SPEECHES IN THE
FRENCH SENATE.

Drehensions that France was once more on
tbe eve of a fearful revolution. One of the
incidents connected with this danger was the
peculiar attitude of Prince Napoleon. 1t was
announced that he was about to make strong
liberal speech in the Senate, and that the
Empress Eugenie was highly indignant at this
intelligence. These brief kilograms implied
that Plon-Plon was determined to make bid
either for the Regency or the succession, and
that the Empress regarded his intrigues with
n Jealous eve. Meanwhile the Emperors
health improved, and the quarrel between his
wife and his cousin was adjourned. But the
Prince. having announced his intention to
deliver an important speech, did not shrink
from his purpose, although it is
not improbable that the changed condi-
ton of the Emperors health induced
a slight change of its tone. In the French
Senate, on the 1st instant, he protested his
devotion to the Emperor and the Prince I'M
perial, and gave in his complete adherence to
the proposed reforms, aohich he hoped ,oere bW
Ne 6eqinniag Of fresh REFORMS. He denounced
as irreconcilable those who opposed the loyal
application of these reforms" As Plon-Plon
is one of the abest men in the empire, and
fully competent to give forcible expression to
his ideas, these doctrines naturally commanded
much attention. and the excitement was
heightened by second speech from the same
source lcvelled against the Ministers, and de-
manding that they should he held to more
complete responsibility. The Ministers, in
turn, attacked the Prince, charging that this
speech was scandalous. and asserting that
they would throw up their portfolios if his
ideas prevailed. In the midst of the excite
ment produced by the controversy, a Partisan
journal added new fuel to the flame by state
ment that the Emperor expressed his ap-
prova of the liberal ideas of the Prince
This intelligence is subject to two interpre-
tations First, that Prince Napoleon is de-
ternined to lose no opportunity to make
point for himself; or, second, that he is sin
cere in the belief that tho best method of
perpetuating the existing dynasty is by the
adoption of additional reforms, and the
grant of additional liberties and privileges to
the French people, 1t is also possible that
his action is prompted by an intermixture Of
both these motives.
Under the existing arrangements, he can
never hope to rule France, unless the Prince
Imperial dies as well as the Emperor; but if
he convnces the people that he is a jealous
and sincere friend of freedom, he might, in
the event of a new convulsion, be endowed
with supreme power as Regent, Emperor, OF
President.
On the other hand, Louis Napoleon has vir-
tually confessed the failure of personal gov
ernment. By refusing to share with the re.
presentatives of the people the responsible
ties of power, he made himself directly liable
for all the blunders of his reign. His enc.
mics charged that it was his fault that millions
were squandered in the ridiculous Mexicar
expedition, his fault that France has fallen il
the scale of European nationalities by the ag
grandizement of Prussia, and his fault that
while Frenchmen had lost prestige abroad
they were overwhelmed with debt, Xliou
and despotism at home.
They did not attempt to deny that Napo
leon had done some good things, but the
claimed that if he had given the people
direct voice in his counsels the fatal result
of his errors might have been averted, an
that the true interests of the subjects as we
ns the sovereign would thus have been pre-
NOTED.
This view has been substantially adopte
during the last few months, but Prince NapC
teon declares that the proposed new systel
of government is not sufficiently hberaliZet
that it is a step in the right direction, bit
does not go far enough. The reported eI
dorsement of this theory by the Emperor ma
mean that he sincerely approves this concll
sion, or that he is unwilling, at this momen
when his own health is precarious, and whe
he is endeavoring to win back the affection
of liberal Frenchmen, to be outbid by h
talented cousin The whole race of Napoleon
are at heart thoroughly selfish, but they a
able to comprehend the necessities and accet
to the demands of modern times and the
understand much better than the stupid
scendants of the older dynasties when
gracefully surrender power which can l
longer be safely retained, and how to impro
their opportunities for gaining controllil
influence. 1t is gratifying to notice that T.
whole course of recent events in France
favorable to liberalism, and that even L
fears and hopes connected with the successi
all fortunately tend in the same direction.
The VEIocIpEDE has at last made its W
into the pulpit, with Mr.. Spurgeon astride
rsrooafnlly M ON NJ,