The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-01

only few days since we published
the manifesto of the opposition, OF, as 1t l
called, the LEFT" Our opinion of that docu
ment we gave at the time. 1t is bnt fair
however, now to say that much as we admire
the speech of the Emperor, the manifesto o.
emphatic. The Emperor has so far disarmec
tho opposition by conceding some of their prin-
cipal demands; but he has not yielded all, and
much must still depend on the manner in
The situation, however, is now clear We
know what tho Left demands. We know
what the. Emperor has promised. We are, IN
word, put in fair position to watch the con-
fct understandingly and with interest.
We have already said that much will de-
pend on the manner in which the Emperor
fufls his promises. We do not mean that we
have any doubt as to the honesty of the EN-
peror's intentions. Nothing of the sort 1t
is our honest belief that the Emperor means
well, that he intends to do and that lie will try
to do all he has said. But Napoleon has one
weakness--a weakness no doubt resulting
largely from his own peculiar experience
he will be his own Prime Minister. The
granting of reforms does not pain him /;
but to lot go the reins and trust to
responsible ministers he cannot make Np his
mind. We do not wonder at this. CWsarism
has been his darling policy. Is he not the
auth cf ho Of Vn1i ha
not prove in that laborious work that Caesar
ism and Napoleonism are one and the same,
the latter being only little more intelligent
than the former? Has he not built up himself
and his house on this idea? BY adhering to
this idea has he not at the same time given
France wealth and power and fame? Why
should he now abandon it? Is it not possible
for him still to hold the reins and yet extend
the area of liberty? This is Napoleon's diff
Guilty. 1t is more-it is his stumbling block.
If Napoleon cannot conquer himself and over
come his scruples on this point, we have no
hesitation in saying that all his reforms will be
worthless, that all his fine sayings will be but
as the sounding brass and the tinl1ling GYM
bal" Parliamentary government means one
thing; Casarism means another The two
cannot walk together and agree. If Napoleon
will persist in being his own Prime Minister and
the practical chief of all his bureaus he will
find himself personally in perpetual conflict
with the people; his sources of irritation will
be multiplied thousand-fold his ruin will
be certain. This is point on which his
speech throws no light. 1t is nevertheless the
main point in the general question. Further
news may give us the light we need; but the
light is not yet.
There is one other feature of the Emperor's
speech which we are unwilling to pass by in
silence. The Emperor in speaking to France
did not forget that his audience was the world
In this he showed skill and cunning; but he
did not the less reveal the philosopher. His
eye is upon France; but his eye is also upon
the world. His soul is occupied with the
immediate difficulties around him; but he sees
and notes the great facts of modern progress.
1t is something to know that he, Bonaparte,
now rules France; but this does not prevent
him from rejoicing that the chariot of progress
rolls on with increasing speed, that reforms
are being demanded and conceded elsewhere
than in France, that the age can boast OF
Pacific Railroads, of Suez Canals, of Mount
Gents tunnels and other victories Of mind
over matter, and that with one of the greatest
of these victories the name of a French
engineer and the name of French Empress
will forever be associated. The Emperor in
getting up his address must have made
liberal use of the columns of the NEW York
HERALD. We mention this for the comfort
of France; for it is good and hopeful sign.
THE GOLD ExoITEMENT.-Gold had another
fall yesterday, touching 1919, and panic
seemed impending in Wall street, when Secre-
tary Boutwell, telegraphed Assistant Treasurer
Folger to reject all bids for government gold
under 122, which had the effect of keeping the
government treasure out of the market, az the
highest bid was 1870. This change of policy
produced startling results in the Gold Room,
where the price suddenly jumped back to
I 231-a rise of two per cent Great indjOna