The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-02-22
PARIS LETTER.
of the Richmond Dispatch.
PARIS, February 2, 1869.
,ovrpxvrSr AND OPPOSITION.


PARIS, February 2, 1869.
GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION
B The proceedings of the French Parlla-
rent during the week have revealed a Sely
curious phase Of the transition thae ffe ny I
society is at present passing through ING
Government escapes almost rom aeiea'
when the question is to inquire into the
home policy of the Emperor. But when the
object ia to look into the working Of the
nress-Iay and the right Of reduion, the ma
iority threatens to be overwhelming. There
il in the Chamber, as throughout the coun-
try, a disposition of opposition for opposi-
toms sake. If the Government is open TO
the charge Of having no policy, their enc
rn;es have certainly no principles. Inc only
means to be useful, the prevailing spirit
seems to indicate, is to be independent.
that Is. to oppose everything governmental.
Bnt if the question be asked what do you
propose, whore are your principles, the re-
XIV is poverty itself This wildness gives
Sapolcon strength, and demonstrates the
necessity of a firm hand to sway the destl-
nies of the Empire. The French ore not
serious people, we know also-that which
can be laughed at interests them more than
vhet can be improved. Hence why the
Emperor in his speech from the throne
plainly told the nation he will permit no.
thing that will undermine his power; and
hence why the Senate intends taking mea-
,sures TO prevent his Majesty from being the
butt of the orators Of the various public
meetings conditionally permitted to be held
in the city. 1t would be better for Mlnls-
ters 10 take no notice of such proceedings,
TO allow folly and nonsense to lind Its ma
t1ral level. Eccentricity, when unob-
served, dies. Liberty, like tyranny, has
its excesses; but both flourish when OPP
posed without motive and without an end.
GREECE AND HER KING.
Almost hourly the reply that King
George will make is expected by telegraph,
even before his eight days of grace expire.
The delay shows INDIGESTION. Where q
crown is at stake, one cannot blame the
owner to be slow in taking step that may
involve its loss. The French in the First
Revolution were as mad as March hares,
and the Greeks seem affected with national
insanity. Russia backs out, owing to the
determination Of France aud England, and
Prussia is reduced to giving sentimental
aid. The war party in Greece desires to
be led against their neighbor, and the Sui
tan, "slow to wrath" promises to cool them
down. A Turkish army in Athens for a
while might be the best means of making
D.. Greece observe for the future the diploma
tic decalogue. 1t is the people Of Greece
the conference has to deal with, not the I'M
easy head that wears the crown.
spA1N-EMPIRE OR REPUBLIC3 .-
The Almanach de Gotha cannot furnish q
king for the Spanish crown which has,
therefore, been put into commission under
the name Of Triumvirate-in other words,
a Republic. In 1913 France decided on q
Republic because sit divided them less"
Spain finds this truth seasonable. Mrs.
Malaprop says, for lasting liking 1t is
best to commence with little aversion.
By-and-bye the sovereign Spaniards may
enthrone themselves. Let us have the Co.
vernmont under any name that Will uphold
the charter of leaving mankind intellec-
tually, politically, and relgicusly free,
and adding another unit to the list of free
nations. But triumvirs become dictators
too soon. Rome threw up Caesar, and the
Consulate Napoleon. 1t remains to be seen
if Prim, Serrano, and Rivero, can dwell
together in amity without aiming ct the
purple. The Duke de Aosta would lose
more than no might gain by accepting the
proud crown of Leon and CASTLE and to
elect the Duke dc Montpensier Gn every
sense unsuitablel would lead to unpleasant
relations, sooner or later, with France. 1t
is time for Spain to make up her mind
under what king she will live. 1t is indie
cision that would provoke her ruin.
LOUIS NAPOLEON THE SOLOMON OF THE
AGE-RUSSIA.
The Emperor is becoming like Solomon !;
all nations are flocking to him for Weldon.
Last week the Austrian Ambassador occu-
pied Napoleon's time, this week it is the
Russian Minister'S turn. People are not
sorry to see the Cars representative at the
Tuileries; it is hopeful sign that the
black spots are disappearing; besides, the
French have q weakness for O Russian ALI
ancc. The Gar has taken stock, like q
sensible merchant, at the close Of the year.
He has peace army of 726, 900 men and q
reserve of half million. All his artillery
are now breech- leaders, and the infantry is
in fair way of being supplied with the
Berdan rifle, improved by the Russian otll-
GERS. America has commenced to deliver
the new muskets contracted for, and the
Notifications begun in 1862 will be pro-
ceeded with. The military railways are
also to be pushed forward. Great efforts
are being employed to autonomize " the
administrative and judicial institutions Of
the empire. ..
BISMARCK AND THE FRENCH.
NJ. Bismarck has not been idle. He has
disposed of his old friends King George
and the Elector of Hesse by snubbing theil
friends in the Chamber, and describing the
outside ones as "reptiles that must be
hunted into their holes and destroyed
This language was not used in Pickwickiar
sense. On the French frontier Mr.. Krupp's
monster cannon work marvels. The French
on their frontier practice in reply. Al
present all firing is at long range.
KING OF ITALY AND GARIBALD1.
+ The King of Italy has at last made the
experiment Of voyage to Naples. He il
not 80 popular there as ex-Francis the
Second. Besides, Victor Emmanuel has
no one quality to win the peoples atfeo-
ton. In December next Garibaldi will
likely attend in this same town the Ecu.
menical Council of " Free-Thinkers," whom
he advises to meet there. What will Excite,
Hall say to all this9
THE POPE's ARMY.
His Holiness, if he has not been guilty
of the sin Of counting the people, has haG
census of his army. This consists o.
1884 men. The Zouaves, or Swiss Guards
comprise 1892 officers and men, of which
1,2l1 are French, 230 Italians, 1913 Dutch
2S3 Canadians, &c.-all good men and true
AUSTRIA AND THE POLES.