The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-07-15
THE REPUBLIC UNDER EMPIRE.

From the ~ Y. Tribune.
Agitation in France is not over; but it is
fair to say that Napoleon is confronting the
force of public opinion with the powerful
plausibility which is native to his dynasty.
That plausibii.ty is the science of kings, and
sometimes the detestation of the peoples, but,
such as it is, it is the imperial lifelong habit
From the day when the Emperor convinced
himself that it was inexpedient not to for
swear himself, and that he could best repre-
sent the average propensities and intelligence
of France by maintaining in his proper person
the fantastic and divine right of usurpation,
he has practised the black art of empire. To
know how to put peoples asleep, to keep them
down as by SPELL to ruin while he amuses
them, to make the poor pay for their poverty,
while they shout, give Napoleon !" to chain
np courage and make intellect convenient
slave-this is a science worthy of Nostra-
Iamus and Cagliostro besides. 1t is to en-
ploy the general selfshness of a great people
to keep it in subection, and to make use of
some moral cowardice in the popular nature
TO fight imperial battles. Not for the first
time in the history of the world are nations
ruled by juggling.
The versatility of French experience is a
marvel. 1t has run the gamut of monarchy in
all forms; has passed every spasm of anarchy
except that of popular death; has de-gradu-
ated, SO to speak, out of the republic in every
stage, and has returned to empire to undergo
the process of being kept scientifically under
Shumb France has been returned to her era
die with bayonets to watch her; and in time
she has been suffered to walk her own way
within narrow bounds and under guard Her
great men share her prodigious versatility
What has not MIR. Louis Napoleon been since
Ine day when he wrote socialism,?
changes in his own individual constitution
HOntpmnOr0rV with thpca of hoe
M. Thiers observed? How long has it been
since that astute servant of several masters,
Prlnce Napoleon, professed the conviction
fhat the mission of Napoleon l was to pre-
pare his country for emancipation and that
the republic only will harmonic
with France" NJ. Olivier, once half-radi-
cal, awaits the republic, while he serves the
monarchy. M. Rouher once favored strong
republic, with the motto Of liberty, equality,
hnd fraternity, and Senator Guerroniere held
Dut for republic not established on the vain
glory of conquests, while the Prince of Mos
towa, also an Imperialist. avowed his belief
IN the healing virtues of pure liberty. 1t is
curious how the ideals of political health
. winch these gentlemen have entertained have
Sunk back into the hypochondria of what the
emperor calls strong government-govern
ment plus the doctor and minus the cure
line straightforward men in France have not
OPSu AllOO iuhipSIbs In6 DuDDc lie OF
The Empire is sophisticated by the general.
but happily not inconvertible fraud which
governs it, and under which the ablest adant
themselves to potential crookedness.
There is hope, however, in the inconsist
ency OF France. The ex-repubicanism which
abldes the Empire predicts return of liberty
The leglons who have changed their coats cal
change them again with greater satisfaction
after having survived the enforced spell ant
probation of the Empire. The mass of thes
men cannot in their hearts be deceived as t.
the measure of the Emperor's sincerity. II
us it seems that the infirmity of the Empero
is not in his comprehension, but in his borl
want of vital and courageous sincerity
In fact, it is not given to empires t
represent the sincerity of the popular will
Nnce they exist by obscurity and ignorance
end only perish when people are wise enoug
bnd brave enough to assert their sir
eerity. We have no permanent faith in tn
Imperial plan of reforms Just revealed. I
conceding them Napoleon has surrendered hi
least valuable and defensible outworks wit