The New York herald., 1869-06-01
France and Napoleopism.

France and Napoieopism.
AS the details of the elections which have
just taken place in France slowly reach us
from day to day 1t becomes more and more
manifest that Paris, If not France, has mar
rowly escaped what would have closely re-
sembled-if 1t had not actually been-revolu-
ton. Our Paris letters, strengthened as these
have been ny extracts from the prominent
Paris journals, show that If there had been a
little less restraint on the part of the people,
little less caution or little more violence
on the part of the police, things might have
been dangerous. So far as the facts have
reached us the government candidates have
had 1t nearly all their own way out of Paris;
but In Paris, in some districts, at least, where
the opposition has worked bravely and well,
the government has been less fortunate. M.
Theirs and M. Jules Favre for the present
the latter threatens to contest the election of
his opponent it is not likely that either Of
them will find Paris constituency for some
time to come. 1t is perfectly manifest that the
government exerted its whole strength to de-
feat these two candidates. Theirs and Favre,
if they do not find constituency elsewhere,
will be missed in the new Assembly. 1t is
more than possible, however, that their alb
sence will be atoned for by the presence Of
such man as Bancel, and by the activity Of
the rest of the opposition.
We are not yet in position fully to COM
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ton. Did we not know how elections are
managed under the imperial regime we
might conclude that the Emperor was popular
and that France thinks well of the imperial
system. Knowing, however, as we do, that
the ballot box is liable to government manipu-
lation, we cannot regard the results Of this
election, any more than the results of the
previous elections which have taken place
under the government of Louis Napoleon, as
fair and satisfactory expression of the opinions
and wishes of the French people. 1t is, perhaps,
true that the majority Of the French people are
of opinion that they are just as comfortable
and prosperous at home, and in all respects
just as we'll represented abroad under the rule
of Napoleon, as they could be under the rule
of any other. 1t begins, however, to be very
noticeable that much as the French people
respect and reverence Napoleon, they are not
much in love with the one-man government.
1t is their opinion that power is too much CEN
tralized. The rejection of the legitimist and
Orleaust candidates is not insignificant. If
1t does not proclaim, 1t at least suggests, that
the French do not expect much from the res
toration of either branch of the Bourbons
What opposition there is is chiefly republican.
The French people have evidently strong
desire to manage their own affairs but Napo-
leon, in spite of his faults, has done so well,
and the reins are so firmly In his grip, that
his chances may be said to be good for life
Trouble may come with his successor, but his
successor must be judged on his own merits.
The opposition to the government, as revealed
at this election, proves no more than this-that
there exists throughout France a little health
full leaven which may yet leaven the whole
lump.