The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-17

he has no serious opposition. The voice OF the
people is expreesed In the election OF members
of the Corps Legislatif but by Odroit manage
ment and an unscrupulous use of Government
patronage and intimidation, the Emperor has
always secured in that body large majority of
servile supporters. In spite of all his precau-
tions, however, some bold and Independent
spirits have been returned, and his policy has
been subjected to mercess criticism. In the
natural order of things the decline of his popu-
larty should be attended with corresponding
increase of Opposition members, and this result
anticipated, but it is supposed that the Empe-
ror will still be able to secure a large majority
in the new Corps, mainly on account of the
rivalries and antagonisms of his enemies,
France contains three tolerably powerful par
tes--the Legitmsts, Orleansts and Republ-
cans-who are equally hostile to Napoleon but
who at the same time have such intense hatred
and distrust Of each other that it is almost inn
possible to combine their forces in one effective
conglomerate organization. An earnest effort
is being made to cement these jarring elements
into a constitutional opposition which, without
reference to past divisions or old creeds will
act harmoniousy on living issues; but although
this is doubtless n wise policy, it has been
attended with but moderate degree of success,
and it is next to impossible for the
advocate of the Republic to cordially
Join hands with the champion of the Bourbons.
or for the Oreanist to fraternize sincerely with
the Legitimist From present indications, in
nearly all the contested districts there will be
sort of a scrub race, in which large number of
candidates will figure who have no earthly hope
of success. This system is in some respects
disadvantAgeOus to the Government at the first
election, inasmuch as it allows every voter who
does not cordially approve the Napoeonic
policy to find a representative for his peculiar
views; and thus to present powerful illustra-
tion of the prevailing dissatisfaction; but at the
second election 1t will be beneficial to the EN-
peror, as many Orleanists will vote for his
friends i'm preference to a Republican, or Repub-
hcans will vote for the Empire rather than the
restoration of Bourbonism.
The contest is further complicated by as many
personal feelings and issues as exist in the
United States when a new Congress is to be
elected, previous to the actions of the conven-
tions which decide who shall or shall not be con-
sidered regularly nominated candidates. There
are also accusations of corruption and a provn-
cial journal charges that several thousand voters
have been bought up in one of the departments
Mt the cheap rate of twenty-five cents per head.
The best guarantee of the return of some of the
ablest members of the opposition arises from the
fact that in France, as well as in England, they
can make assurance doubly sure by running as
candidates in two or more districts at the same
time. Thus NJ Theirs is candidate in one of
the Partisan districts where he is antagonized by
two opponents, and he is also a candidate in
provincial district where his antagonist is NJ. de
Lesseps, the protector of the Suez Canal.
There is no doubt that France is growing
restive under NapoleOnic rule, and past expert
ence has shown that at moments when the public
mind was ripe for revolt it has not been diff
cult to depose monarchs who appeared to be more
firmly seated than the present Emperor. Under
the existing law, political demonstrations must
be made at least five days before the cleo
tion, and to-day has been selected for a grand
popular outburst in Paris, which is, we suppose,
the French equivalent for mighty mass meet
ing. Napoleon will scarcely feel easy until the
whole affair is over, and it would not be at all
surprising if, at this moment, he was Trembling
if not tottering, on his throne. At the best he
must look forward to increased legislative an
tagonism to his measures, and to an increase of
the discomfort which sooner or later may add
| his dynasty to the list of the broken and
| banished idols of France.