The Sun. — 1869-12-01 (London, England)

NAPOLEON 111. is in inverse proportion to their spontaneity ; yet this is very nearly the truth. When a man grants that which he does not like to grant, we may be sure that there is a superior influence compelling him to do so. On former occasions when the French EMPEROR has promised reforms, the pledge has been very partially fulfilled, for he was able then to keep the word of promise to the ear while breaking it to the hope. He went so far as to declare that the edifice had been crowned, and that nothing more remained to complete the building, at the very time his subjects were complaining that even the foundation stone had not been laid. Since then everything has changed in France except the reigning dynasty, and that has had the very narrowest escape. The old policy of diverting the attention of the people from domestic politics by engaging them in foreign wars has failed signally and disastrously. MAXIMILIAN murdered at Queretaro, Prussia dictator at Sadowa, put an end to imperial ambition, and NAPOLEON was then compelled to face those demands which he thought would have been answered by the establishment of a Latin Empire under French auspices in Central America, and by the revindication of the Rhine provinces. He attempted at first to cheat the people with illusory concessions. The two laws respecting the press and public meetings, were concessions in little more than name. He soon found that the people would not be satisfied with these, and that if he ventured to enforce the penalties contained in his new measures he would imperil his throne. So the press became more and more violent, and organs, openly advocating a Republic, were started on every side, and obtained an enormous circulation. Avowed Republicans came forward as candidates for the Legislative Body, and proclaimed their intention to use their position for the purpose of overthrowing the Empire. In spite of wholesale official interference, intimidation, and corruption, there was returned such a phalanx of Opposition members as has not been seen since the Empire was founded. It then became a question whether the Empire would not fall. Two circumstances have prevented that catastrophe—the dread of the middle classes that, in escaping the ills they have, they might fly to others that they know not of ; and the consciousness that they have now sufficient power to make the EMPEROR do what they please. It is :for these reasons that we are inclined to view the Imperial Speech on Monday with less dissatisfaction than some of our contemporaries exhibit. The changes announced are by no means adequate to the demands of the people ; that we grant at once. They merely indicate how far the EMPEROR feels himself bound to yield. But there is nothing to shew that he will not yield more when he is convinced of the necessity for so doing. The fact that the present concessions are extorted from him against his will, is a pretty clear proof that he is, and will be, amenable to pressure. But while we expect that the French people will resolutely refuse to accept the present instalment 01 liberty as payment in full, there is no need to underrate the value of the present payment on account. One great subject of grievance has been the interference of the Government with the parliamentary elections. This the EarpEnort proposes in some measure to restrain by choosing the mayors from the members of the Municipal Councils, It would have been much better if he had allowed the electors to choose their own mayors directly, instead of in this indirect fashion. Moreover, it must be borne in mind that the mayors are not the only persons who