The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-05
The Political Situation In France.

The Political Situation In France.
A cable despatch from London, which we
print this morning, more than indicates that
the reforms granted by the Emperor are win
ming their way into popular favor. The fuller
account of which we are now in possession
does not induce us to depart from the judg-
ment we pronounced yesterday. The Emperor
| his hands.
AS we have said already the Se,sotus Con-
| sNstum embodies reforms which show that the
Emperor has set before him the British consti-
tuition as his1aoiieii-f The Corps L5gislatif and
the Senate are no longer to be puppets They
are to have the right and privilege OF militia
ton. The same power Is accorded to the
Senate. Each assembly Is to be complete in
itself. 1t will hencetorth be competent to the
Corps Legislatif or to the Senate to introduce
new measures. But the Emperor Is to be no
mere fgurehead. He is willing to rule with
the assistance Of ministers. The ministers,
however, are to be under bis control They are
to be responsible for their own acts, but they
are to deliberate in council under his presi-
dency. When ministers shall happen to run
counter to popular feeling and when impeach-
| ment becomes necessary they can be impeached
only by the Senate. One other popularity
deserves to be mentioned: ministers may be
members of either house of the Legislature,
but it is to be special privilege of ministers
to defend or prosecute their measures in either
house as occasion may require. What, then,
do these reforms amount to- Autonomy Is
granted to each Of the two branches of the
Legislature. 1t will be competent to each to
institute any measure. The decisions of the
lower house will be subject to the revision of
! the upper. 1t will be necessary, on the other
hand, for any measure introduced and carried
to the upper house to obtain the sanction Of
the lower. In all matters the government,
right 10 refer difficult questions to the decision
of a committee The Emperor will be his own
prime minister, and will, of course, preside
over the council of ministers.
1t is not to be denied that in all this we can
discover certain amount of substantial re-
form. But it is just as evident that the Empe-
ror, in granting those reforms. has been care
full to make such provisions that the govern
ment machine, though 1t will be little more
complex than Of old, will be entirely under his
control The Emperor knows France better
perhaps, than any man now living, and all the
caution he is now manifestly exercising may
be necessary; but we cannot say we ad-
mre the wisdom which he has revealed in
the peculiar checks to the popular power
that are embodied in the new constitution. It
is certainly mighty step in an onward and
upward direction. Within certain limits
France Ia to be allowed TO govern herself.
The members of the French Legislature, for
msrly allowed only TO speak, are now invested
with real power. Formerly they could only
question the government; henoeforward they
will have the right to introduce measures Of
reform. This Is something gained. We may
look forward with confidence to lively times.
We know what Frenchmen are when they are
allowed to speak out. They have been go
long kept In silence that much requires to be
said. II is 80 long since French Parliament
of its own accord made laws or in any way In
troduced reforms that We may calculate almost
With certainty on having legislation In earnest.
We do not exaggerate when we say that the
| first session of the new French Parliament will
be the liveliest thing we have had occasion 10
chronicle in many long years. We can see
reform projects innumerable. We can see
| collisions between the two branches of the
Legislature. We can see both branches In
collision with the executive. We can SEE
Napoleon dissolving the chambers and appeal
ing 10 the people. We cannot say we set
beyond; for 1t is just as possible that tn.
people may go against the Emperor az tha
they will go with him.
II Is gratifying TO be able TO write that th'
press generally takes favorable and hopefu
view Of the course pursued by the Emperor
The general opinion Ia that he has yielded Will
good deal of grace, and that II he hal
stopped under the violence of popular de
mands, he has so stopped that he remains still
master OF the situation. The difficulty Of tn
situation, Ia our Judgment, consists In the fac
that Napoleon has yielded. 1t il not impossi
BILE that concession may lead to the crownin,
of the edifce but neither Is Il impossible tina
concession may lead to abdication or worse
Napoleon, by his skilful use of the army, ha
for many loug years kept France at bay. Tn
French people for the nrst time since 1874
have felt their power. Will they use Il 10 thei
own interest or 10 the interest OF their master
New found power Is always dangerous. W
have no good reason 10 say That II will ne