The Express.
London, England, 1851-10-31 00:00:00

FRANCE.

SARIS, TIMISDAT Interim
The Committee of Permenance met to-day at noon.
Thesittingwaspresidedoverby M. Lupin, andattended
by 33 members. There was no report read upon the
situation. The sitting was occupied with the discus-
sion of a motion made by M. d'Olivier for composing
a report of the proceedings of the committee daring
the three months of the recess. The meeting sepa-
rated, after an hour's conversation, without any new
adjournment, so that no further sitting is expected
before the opening of the Assembly, except in case
of some extraordinary incident.
The President quitted St. Cloud to-day to return
to the ElysiC. To-morrow he will attend the inau-
guration of the new church of St. Leu-Taverner.
M. Eugene Corbin, the new Minister of Justice%
arrived in Paris to-day.
The public is immersed in speculations as to the
probable nature of the President's message, and
attempt to snatch, through the contradictory state-
ments of semi-official journals, an insight into the
leading features of this all-important document.
Two days eget gave therevelationsof Dr. Veron with
regard to the President's intention to propose an
Immediate appeal to the country for his own elec-
tion by universal suffrage, and stated, in a telegraphic
despatch, the official denial by the Patric of this
neasstion which caused so much agitation at Paris.
It k noticed, as a remarkable circumstance, that M.
Amcdee de Cesena, editor of the Patric by whom
that denial was signed, should, in an earlier edition
of his paper, destined for the departments, have given
a summary of the article of the Cesistitotionna, and
pointed out its importance. It was only in
the Paris edition that tho contradiction to
Dr. Veron was inserted. Hence the inference,
certainly notunwarrnntable, that the revelation of the
Constitatimmel was meant as a feeler; and, after its
failure had been seen in the capital, the Gallon demi
was suffered to float into the provincial atmosphere.
Last night, although there are not wanting people
who declare they have seen and even read the mes-
sage, the Patric declared in the same official manner,
that not a word of it was yet composed. Now the
Constitationnel announced, under date of the 15th,
in the leaded type assigned to official communications
of importance, that the President was then occupied
with the composition of his message, and that the
cabinet would not be definitively formed for ten or
twelve days, when the message would be completed.
On the eleventh day after this announcement, so
happily was the interval piedietcd by the (*wised's-
tionnel' the decrees appointing the new ministry were
signed. But what more than all has accredited the
same paper with the public, as correctly representing
the President's intentions and sentiments, is the
verification of the prediction that Louis-Napoleon
was bent upon proposing the abrogation of the
law of May 31. Under these circumstances it is
hardly surprising that to-day the whole parliamen-
tary press should set up a clamour at the scandalous
contradictions between two semi-official organs, cacn
of which is equally inspired by the government.
Meanwhile Dr. Vixen comes forward with a flesh
article, which forms to-day the chief object of attten-
tion. Although there is not the smallest trace of
such an intention in his pree, ding article, the doctor
pretends that he was induced "to subject to the test
of publicity those hints which he had gleaned here
and there concerning the tenor of the message, in
order to thwart, by the wise and circumspect counsels
of public opinion, the counsels of a familiar who
*ants neither audacity nor perseverance." The
while of this curious ar; Jae is a sharp attack upon
M. de Persigny, whom he represents as a dangerous
favourite, framed, by his democratic tendencies, "to
perplex and dash niaturest counsels." Ile represents
the retirement of Billault as a momentary dekat of
Persiny, who may, however,reg,ain his late ascendancy
over the mind of LouisNapslemi, and cause useless pro-
vocations to appear in the message. Some persons are
pleased to take seriously this onslaught against the
President's friend, which they ascribe to the dis-
pleasure of Veron at the appointment of Thorigny,
or to the hostility of MM. Foetid and Readier alp mg
l'ersigny. The same authorities represent those ex-
ministers as only prevented by the influence of Louis
Napoleon's comrade in the Boulogne expedition from
regaining possession of the portfolio, held momenta-
rily by ministers sal interim, while the ministers of
finance and justice, appointed by the decrees of the
26th were absent far away front Paris, and not even
consulted on their acceptance of office. Others, on
the other hand, arc disposed to regard the doctor's
ilattaek as a petite scene do cosm'die, by which he in-
' tends to show the democratic party. that the most
intimate counsellor of the Elyeee is inoculated with
their doctrines, and thus shrewdly to fan the hopes
of the socialists and revive among them the popula-
rity of Louis Napoleon. But, however this may be,
it seems indisputable that the President is sore beset
by conflicting counsels-, and wavers between frankly
striking into a new policy, and coming to terms with
the parliament upon a liberal modification of the law
of May 31. If the majority were ready to grunt
such amendments as will extend the suffrage to
eight millions of electors instead of six, Louis Napo-
leon might claim some credit with the republican
party for having peacefully won for them so mu-
siderable an extension; he might also claim credit
with the whole country fur having averted civil war.
And if such claims were generally admitted, he
might obtain votes enough to prevent the presiden-
tial election from being referred to the Assembly. It
is true that this supposes the revision of the consti-
tution in order to remove his legal disqualification.
But if he obtained between three and four millions
of suffrages, such an expression of the public will
would soon silence all legislative scruples. That such
a plan is really cherished at the Elysdo as that of
which Wren spoke two days back, seems by no means
improbable; and certainly an anticipation of the Presi-
dential election according to an amended law of uni-
versal suffrage, although not provided for by the
constitution, would afford the most satisfactory indi-
cation of public opinion, and not the least natural
and pacific means of resolving the crisis. It would,
in fact, make the country, on a fair base of electoral
rights, the umpire between the President and the
Assembly. According to this verdict would either
party. have to addicate. On the other hand, if by
pressing the strict letter of the constitution against
Louis Napoleon, the latter be driven to some despe-
rate expedient for retaining power, the country will
be exposed to all sorts of hazards. Hence although
the revelation of the Constitutionnel produced a fall
at the Bourse, abstractedly considered, no plan has
been yet proposed for the solution of the difficulties
of 18:32, which looks so fair, just, and peaceable.
The only sincere motive which the parliament can
have for rejectiug it is the settled determination to
exclude Louis Napoleon, even at the price of a colli-
sion between the powers.
The Ordre hears from a good source that M.
Corbin has refused the portfolio ofjustice. A private
friend of the President has been despatched to him
to overcome his scruples. Nevertheless, the Drat
Co»tman of Bourges states that M. Corbin had lett
for l'aris.

Yesterday, 600 representatives had arrived in
Paris, and inscribed their names at the questure.
General de St. Arnaud, the new 'Minister of War,
has issued the following order of the day :
Soldiers,—The President of the Republic calls me to
your head ; the honour is great, the task easy, if you remain
which you are; united under the law of duty, strong by
your. discipline. In every part where order is weakened,
in every part where the public peace is menaced, the honest
people turn their eyes on you, and seek you. Never cause
more sacred was entrw.tcd to men more worthy to defend
it. Forget not that in difficult times the army prevents, by
the mere energy of its attitude, the disorders which it would
otherwise repress by the employment of force. Esprit-rte-
corps, honour for our flag, participation of glory, these are
the noble traditions which should inspire and sustain us.
Let us carry military honour: so high, that in the midst of
the elements of dis.olutinn which fermeut about us it may
appear as a means of safety to menaced society.
A. DE ST. ARNAUD, the Minister of War.
Paris, Oct. 27, ISM.
There was a favourable reaction to-day at the
Bourse. 'The Fives closed at 90.5, with a rise of 30c.
The Threes rose 20e., and closed at 55•ti0.