The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-01
Coming Political Changes in Europe.


Coming Political Changes in Europe.
The recent illness of the Emperor Napoleon
has awakened deep and general interest in
the affairs of Europe. The probable death of
the man who has swayed for over twenty
years the destinies of France inspired the
courts and cabinets with alarm; and for the
first time it has been honestly confessed in
high places that France is the centre of
Europe and that Napoleon is dynastically the
pivotal person of the epoch. Not since l948
have the dynasties and the hangers-on of the
same been 80 put to their wits end. After
Napoleon no man could tell what was to come,
but to most men the prospect seemed bad for
the crowned heads and the privileged classes
in Europe. Hence the mission Of Lord Claren-
don and the general fockiug Of confidential
government agents to Paris. For the present
the crisis is over, and we cannot say that we
are sorry that It is over, but the crisis while
il lasted was richly sugg estive.
1t is no longer to be doubted that Europe Is
on the eve of another great con vulsion. The
forces exist but they are pent up and held in
restraint. One man more than any other
in Europe maintains law and order-holding
the dangerous classes in check-and that man
is Louis Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon out
of the way we are certain to have, II not the
wild outburst Of 1889, at least a repetition of
1880 or 1913. II Is even questionable whether
the Emperor himself, in consequence of failing
health and declining power, may not witness
violent revolution which he will not be able to
control.
The reforms which Napoleon has granted
make revolution certain. If he lives and has
power to guide the new forces which he has
let loose in the empire all may go well. But
the contingencies are numerous and the pro
liabilities are not promising. The new forces
may prove too strong for him. 1t is fact
which ought not to be overlooked that every
time the French people have come to power
they have, as a first step, interfered in the
affairs of Europe. More than any other
European people the French people, properly
SO called, are in sympathy with the cause Of
democracy all the world over. One great
secret of Napoleon's success has been that he
has hundred this feeling. Italy is an example.
Germany is another, although Germany has
gone little beyond the Emperors wishes.
The French people again masters of the
situation the Polish question, the Schleswig-
Holstein question, the Greek question, the
popular cause In Spain, will all be revived, and
the revival will be dangerous. What adds to
the gravity of the situation and therefore to
the value Of the Emperors life is the
fact that the treaties Of 1918 are
all dead. Napoleon has told us this
already; but Napoleon only proclaimed a fact
which the world had already recognized.
Napoleon did not kill those treaties. They died
a natural death. They were weak when they
sustained the blow oflSiS. They were weaker
still when Italy rose in some of her old majesty
and burst her bonds asunder. Sadowa made
post-mortem examination unnecessary The
shadow ofthose treaties, however, still remains
Napoleon does not despise the shadow.
The French people hate both the shadow and
substance, and, the French people again in
power, revenge will go hand In hand
with justice, and the twain may march
over Europe. When we glance at the
general situation-when we reflect on the
Eastern question, on the Slavonic question,
on the Schleswig -Holstein question, on the
German question, on the Spanish question, on
the religious questions In the East and the re-
ligious questions in the West of Europe when
we think Of the large standing armies which are
wasting for want Of employment, and when we
take into account the cons ervative power of the
Emperor Napoleon, we cannot much wonder
that the probability ofhs death put the dynasties
in futter. In few years. If not sooner, we
shall have congresses and conferences many,
and reconstructions not o few. Oar faith In
the governed, in spite of Charles Dickens, Ia
''limtablo" if they govern themselves. The
tide has set in In favor Of great European
republic. Time is necessary, but the result
Is not doubtful.
The Proposed Worlds Fair mt Washington.
1t will be, perhaps, the most enduring title