Year: 1869

Parliamentary Government in France.


In the practical operation of the new legis-
lative reforms sanctioned by the Senatorial
Committee, and to be endorsed no doubt by
the Senate, we look for an early solution of
the important question whether or not France
| is ripe for parliamentary government and
| whether or not such system, in its workings,
will prove equal to the demands of the party
of progress The Emperor has conceded
much, and by his course is showing that he


is actuated by sincere purpose to advance
the reformatory aspirations of the nation. AS
the messiah of new ideas" he has identified
himself with the sentiments of the people,
and seems now ready and willing to guide them
boldly towards the end they desire to reach.
This spirit will be appreciated by the peo-
pie. The general amnesty to press, political
and other offenders has been welcomed with
unqualified demonstrations of gratitude
throughout the country France is rather in
clined to think that, after all, Napoleon is her
best friend and protector; and we dare say
the opposition, on the reassembling of the
Corps Legislatif in October, will find the En-


peror and his government endorsed by popu-
lar sympathy but little anticipated at the late
unpopular prorogation of the Chamber.


Will the Corps Legislatif be content with
the points gained and are they prepared to
use and not abuse their new privileges? The
situation is one of peculiar interest. The
success of the parliamentary system depends


in great measure upon its judicious exercise
and the sincerity and support of the parties
who have been instrumental in inaugurating
it, In acquescing Napoleon throws the re-


sponsibility of failure on his opponents, and if
the experiment should not justify the expac-
tations of the people he can say to France, Il
have given you what you desired. Behold the
result" If the several factions of the opposition,
after the late Intellectual attempts to arrive at
some satisfactory understanding among them
selves in regard to their action for the future,
| should conclude it wise to accept in good faith
the reforms obtained, and earnestly cooperate
| with the government in carrying them forward
to desirable results, or be prepared to recog-
nize their failure, as the case may be, we may
expect most harmonious session, tending to
tranquillize the country, restore confidence and
at the same time again popularize the Napo-
leonic regime which promises to reconcile liberty
and equality before the law with an hereditary
monarchy-a monarchy surrounded by repub-
lican institutions. In the interests of peace
and order we can but hope it shall be thus.


If, on the other hand, there should be lurking
behind few sincere apostles of parliamentary Y
government the more numerous partisans OF
revolutionary propagandsm, the no-compro-
| mise fanatics, determined to carry out their
peculiar schemes, to abuse privileges accorded
and provoke a serious conflict with authority,
we shall witness struggle whose results it
were difficult to surmise, and whose duration
will be commensurate with the strength of the
opposing parties or powers. Backed by public
opinion, and while yet largely in the minority the
opposition have obtained victory from which i;
to result the experiment of parliamentary gov


ernment Will they be satisfied with this tri.
umph, or, rather is 1t not to be apprehended
that, emboldened by it, they will return to the
fight in October undismayed by the increased
popularity of the Empcrors government


When fairly in the way Of reformatory demand
and under the enlarged liberties now accorded
who shall prescribe the limits of yea
which may become immoderate and offensive
There is no doubt but the progressive ten
dencies of the nation are opposed to the con
tinuance of personal government but it 1
quite probable that the projected parliamen


tary system will be accepted by the majority
Of the people as preferable to any which nigh


originate from the discordant interests or am.
btion OF the contending factions.


Thirty years ago, when in exile, Louis Ma


poleon wrote :-''Governments have been ca


tablished to aid society in overcoming obsta
cles which impede its march, Their form!
have been varied according to the maladies
they have been called to cure, according to th'


epoch and according to the character of tht
. people they have provided for. Progress II


government never disappears, but IL is offer


displaced; 1t goes from the government to th


governed. The tendency of revolutions Away
is to restore progress to the governors" Sucl


are his sentiments to-day, and while willing Il


promote reform he is no less determined to b.
the guiding spirit in the movement, and t


direct and control the progressing impulsion G


modern ideas according to the needs Of tn
governed. IL is scarcely probable that th