The New York herald., 1869-09-05
Parliamentary Government in France.

Parliamentary Government in Frnnce.
In the practical operation of the new legis-
lative reforms sanctioned by the Senatorial
Committee, and to be endorsed no doubt by
the Senate, we look for an early solution of
the important question whether or not France
is ripe for parliamentary government, and
whether or not such system, in its workings,
will prove equal to the demands of the party
of progress. The Emperor has conceded
much, and by his course is showing that he
is actuated by sincere purpose to advance
the reformatory aspirations of the nation. AS
the messiah of new ideas" he has identified
himself with the sentiments of the people,
and seems now ready and willing to guide them
boldly towards the end they desire to reach.
This spirit will be appreciated by the peo-
pie. The general amnesty to press, political
and other offenders has been welcomed with
unqualified demonstrations of gratitude
throughout the country; France is rather in
clined to think that after all, Napoleon is her
| best friend and protector; and we dare say
the opposition, on the reassembling of the
Corps LGgislatif in October, will find the EN-
peror and his government endorsed by popu-
lar sympathy but little anticipated at the late
unpopular prorogation of the Chamber.
Will the Corps Legislatif be content with
the points gained, and are they prepared to
use and not abuse their new privileges? The
situation is one of peculiar interest The
success of the parliamentary system depends
| in a itc ind ioa
and the sincerity and support of the parties
who have been instrumental in inaugurating
it. In acquiescing Napoleon throws the re-
sponsibility Of failure on his opponents, and if
the experiment should not justify the expec-
tations of the people he can say to France, Il
have given you what you desired. Behold the
result" If the several factions of the opposition,
after the late Intellectual attempts to arrive at
some satisfactory understanding among them
| selves in regard to their action for the future,
| should conclude it wise to accept in good faith
| the reforms obtained, and earnestly cooperate
| with the government in carrying them forward
| to desirable results, or be prepared to recOg
| nize their failure, as the case may be, we may
expect most harmonious session, tending to
| tranquillze the country, restore confidence and
at the same time again popularize the Napo
leonc r6gime which promises to reconcile liberty
and equality before the law with an hereditary
monarchy-a monarchy surrounded by repub-
| lican institutions In the interests of peace
| and order we can but hope it shall be thus.
If, on the other hand, there should be lurking
behind few sincere apostles of parliamentary
| government the more numerous partisans of
revolutionary propagauhsm, the no-compro-
| mise fanatics, determined to carry out their
peculiar schemes, to abuse privileges accorded
and provoke a serious conflict with authority,
we shall witness a struggle whose results it
| we're difficult to surmise, and whose duration
will be commensurate with the strength of the
opposing parties or powers. Backed by public
opinion, and while yet largely in the minority the
opposition have obtained victory from which Il
TO result the experiment of parliamentary gov.
ernment. viii they be satisfied with this tri-
umph, or, rather, is it not to be apprehended ed
that, embodened by it, they will return to the
fight in October undismayed by the increased
popularity of the Emperors government
When fairly in the way of reformatory demand
and under the enlarged liberties now accorded
| who shall prescribe the limits of a yea
which may become immoderate and offensive
There is no doubt but the progressive ten
, denotes Of the nation are opposed to the con
} tinuance Of personal government; but 1t 4
quite probable that the projected pariiamen
tary system will be accepted by the majority
Of the people as preferable to any which nigh,
originate from the discordant interests or am
bition OF the contending factions.
Thirty years ago, when in exile, Louis Ma
poleon wrote :-"Governments have been es
tabIished to aid society in overcoming obsta
cles which impede its march. Their form:
have been varied according to the maladies
they have been called to cure, according to tho
epoch and according to the character of the
. people they have provided for. Progress II
! government never disappears, but il is offer
, displaced; It goes from the government to tn,
governed. The tendency Of revolutions Away
y Is to restore progress to the governors SucI
are his sentiments to-day, and while willing h
promote reform he is no less determined to b
the guiding spirit in the movement, and Z,
direct and control the progressing impulslon @
, modern ideas according to the needs Of tn
governed. Il is scarcely probable that tn