Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-10-29

NAi7f7 "a
The crisis which has been 50 long aP
proaching in France would seem to be yer,
near. Its proximity is joyously pointed Out
nv the radical enemies of the Empire at
home. and by its exiled victims abroad Inc
Eoelisb journals are specializing, with almost
morbid ingenuity. upon the probable fate OF
the Napoleonic dynasty. The character Of the
imnanding revolution Is the only unsolved
n-oblem. Some Of the London papers pro
fsss to expect that the fall Of the present
Emperor will make way for the restoration
of the Bourbons Others are hopeful Of the
ultimate re-establshment Of the Orleans fam
ilv. \ few. however, believe that upon
the death or downfall of Napoleon Iii. the pco-
ME will either decree a republic or call
Prince Napoleon to the throne OF liberal
monarchy. There are in short as many theo-
ries about the expected revolution as there
are newspapers to comment upon 1t. But as
to the proximity of a revolution OF some
kind. there is on the part Of leading journals
a very general agreement
1t may be assumed that the immlnence Of
the revolution must be predIcated mainly on
the critical condition of the Emperor :
health. The disease in the body polite Of
France approaches a crisis no faster than the
disease in tie Imperial body. The Empire
responds promptly to any distemper al tie
head. But the response Is not sympa-
thetic one. When the Gar has the govt all
Russia limps Not 20 in the Second EmI ire.
For when there Is sickness at the Tuilories
there is an awakening 10 health IN the ma
ton. The oppressed grow strong and bold
as the grasp Of the oppressor reiaxes. Ihi7
is an inevitable feature Of personal govern
lient that fails to win the confidence OF lts
subjects 1t may command respect 50 long
as it retains It's gigor. But unless 1t wins
something more than respect, It's duration
will be measured by the physical health OF
its head. The sickness OF the Emperor Ma
pjleon affords an occasion for revolution
How serious his illness is cannot be accu-
rately learned. The bulletins Of his health
which are submitted to the world would not
be likely to unfavorably misrepresent hi7 CON
dition. His illness is certainly as bad, and
probably worse, than France is requested to
believe. The papers are now publishing
pretended description Of his disease From
this it should appear that the Emperor Is the
victim of peculiarly distressing and dan
gerous naladv. which may cause his sudden
death at any moment. lie has, moreover,
nearly reached the allotted period of human
life. The French nation is kaenly watchlul
Of every symptom Of the Emperor disease
A population of forty million souls, by one
Of the strangest of political anomalies. viz
tually coniesses that lis destiny depends up
on the issue Of one man : sickness.
The indications of the coming storm are
plain and numerous. The recent liberal 4
measures of the Emperor himself are pro- |
foundly significant Intrinsically they are
of little importance. But they were evident
" made under the influence of fear, and IN
stead Of winning for the Emperor popular
gratitude for his generosity, they viii only
excite contempt for his real weakness. lr s
too late for Napoleon TOO change his policy
Tie very concessions which would once have
strengthened his government, will now serve
to expose its unsoundness. The growing
strength of the opposition movement
the boldness of the radicals Of Paris, and
.he earnest predictions Of the exiled republl-
ans, all indicate that crisis Of some kind
,annot be long avoided. Appearances may
prove deceptive, az they have at other times
n the history of the Second Empire. The
citation may be only on the surface. That
$ matter for careful study. but not Tor a
positive decision. If the freshly manifested
hostility toward the Empire was a mere tenn
'orary outburst Of passion, It's extent and
incerity might reasonably be questioned.
'ut it is long formed opinion which is nov
Improving an opportunity for expression.
Is such it has a deep significance at this
NE. We shall soon know exactly irhaf it
gnifes. One thing at least is clear, the /,
oyernment has no power at present to stiae b
ublic utteIance; and when it loses this pow q
r it loses one of its strongest weapons. !