Year: 1867

NapoIeon's Speech 70 the French Chambers.


Although the full text Of the Emperors
speech which we laid before our readers yes
terday differs but little In Its main features
from the abstract given by the cable, It
offers to US ell those marked characteristics OF
style by which his utterances are usually dis
tinguished. There is, perhaps, no living
statesman or orator who more carefully weighs
his words or who comprehends so we'll the
value that Is attached to them. There is not q
phrase employed in bis speech which may not
mean much or moan little. Thus comparing
with the concessions embraced in his decree
the spirit Of his address to the Chambers, one
feels surprised that the former stops 30 far
short Of his apparently benefcent intentions.
A second perusal Of the two documents, how
ever, shows that, divested of its mere oratorical
fourishes, the one Is no more liberal or COM
prehensive In ito terms than the other.


This being the impression created here we
are not surprised to learn by cable despatch
Of yesterday that The disappointment caused
by the new reforms is rapidly spreading in
France When the decree first reached us we
said that the abolition of the privilege of reply
to the address from the throne would offer
serious point Of assault for the red repub-
licans. They are making such good use Of it
that the liberal party generally are taking hold
Of it. This is unfortunate for the government;
but we do not very well see how 1t could be
avoided. To continue to the republicans the


opportunities presented by the privilege Of de-


bate on the address, while at the same time


the restrictive powers of the government as
regards the press and public meetings were
to be curtailed or abolished, would have been
to hazard its very existence. Popular feeling
is always in advance Of administrative expe-
diency, and under such . system Of rule as
exists in France there must always be q large
allowance for the disappointment caused by the
failure of Its expectations. Under the circum-
stances we think that the concessions granted
are as much as could reasonably be hoped
for. They certainly 20 considerably beyond
what the Emperor's Cabinet had recommended,
and emanated solely from himself, not ono Of
his Ministers, we believe, having been con-
suited about them. Taken in connection with
this fact, the imperial speech at the opening Of
the Chambers, though non-committal as re-
CARDS the future. may, we think, inspire rea-
sonable hopes that the reforms granted are not
to be considered final. In the view which the
Emperor takes of the future OF the European
nationalities, under the new principles that
regulate their relations towards each other, 1t
is plain that he thinks the sword will play a
much less important part than it has hitherto
done. To this conviction is due the sudden
departure from his own system which led 10
the resignation Of his Cabinet That 1t will he
followed, when the opportunity offers, by con-
cessions still moro liberal in their character
we need no promises from him to assure us
Like the rest Of his brother rulers, he must
keep pace with the progress Of modern ideas
or submit TO be thrust aside with the dynasty
he has labored so hard to consolidate.