The National Register.
London, England, 1815-10-15 00:00:00

PULI7'ICAL DISQUISITION.
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FUTURE DESTINIES OF FR iNCE.

It now appears certain that a Treaty of Peace between

France and ull the Allied Powers has been signed and
ratified. A few days will probably lay it before the pub-
lic view, when only a fair judgment can be passed upon its
merits. To notice again the various representations which
ilaye been made of its contents, when the dawning of
truth is so near at hand, would be to prefer the doubtful
glom and the mists of twilight to the clear blaie of the
risen sun. We shall therefore suspend all decision, until
we can take one on grounds of undoubted authenti-
city. We shall then consider how other States are likely
to be affected by the conditions granted to France ; at
present we shall content ourselves with examining the
probable results which may Clow to that Power from any
treaty being made with it under existing circumstances.
•It is undoubtedly laudable in the Allied Sovereigns
to respect the existence of a conquered nation. It is mag-
nanimous to secure its independence and to revive those
relations of amity and peace, which alone can restore its
prosperity. But in the present case is it prudent, is it safe,
and will it lead to the attainment of the proposed object?
We think not. France humbled, but not conquered : de-
barred for ever from the guilty hope of seeing the Usurper
rPturn, by his distant confinement and the punishment of
Lis accomplicei, in a word, France replaced under the tern-
p_•rate sway of a King, respected by his own Allies, niight
once more have become a peaceable and useful member' of
the European community. Greatness and independence
might have remained the brightest jewels in. her crown,
and the world would have viewed her political resurrection
with joy. But France has felt the miseries of conquest,
and forgetful that they were only retaliatory
burns with thirst for revenge. Her pride has been
wounded still more deeply than her power has in- eri cur-
tailed. Throughout her provinces, the meanest inhabi-
tant has bOWed beneath the pressure of 'war, and witnessed'
the haughty exultation of a conqueror.. Her metropolis
has been despoiled of what was dearer in the eyes of the
whole nation than the pomp of empire and the widest
extent of dominion. Her King, unable to stretch forth a
protecting hand, and compelled by the Allies to Y'ield his
assent to their most unpopular measures, seems set up in
derision, only to witness and sanction the desolation of
his country. In such a situation it is rain to expect from
France, either respect and loyalty for her sovereign or
patience in calamity. To him the, discontented attribute
all the evils which she endures. They represent him as
hawing called the invaders into the boSom of the land, to
replace the crown on his brow, and as happy to purchase
s. little brief authority," at the expense of her integrity.,
her honour, and her happiness. Him; therefore, they
I vol. H. No; CCCCV 11.

point out as their first victim, should the decrease, or
removal of the foreign troops leave him unprotected.
However different the sentiments of other parties may he
on this head, yet they join in-the same detestation of the
invaders, and perhaps with still greater inveteracy, as they
charge the Allies with being the cause of their unpopularity,
From such materials, nothing but the most violent ferthen-
tation can be expected : and what shall we say of the policy
which prepares a vent to facilitate the explosion ? Power,
to a nation in such circumstances, is, in fact, the most fatal.
gift. It is like placing a dagger into the hands of a man,
whom we know to be bent on self-destruction, and whom
the absence of all weapons, or a straight waistcoat, could
alone secure from the effects of his own fury ! Mercy, to
be really mercy, must sometimes wear the look and speak
the language of cruelty. What will be to France herself,
the consequence of the lenity now displayed towards her?
We do not pretend to possess the gift of prophecy, but
judging from the character of the people, that restlessness
which even success cannot chain, the exasperation of the
public mind, the weakness of the Ruling Power, and the
means which will bo left or restored to the nation, we
think ourselves justified in delivering the following antici,
potions :
The 150,000. Allied troops who are to occupy a portion
of the French fortresses and provinces, will be sufficient
to entertain a constant irritation in the national mind,
but not to repress its effects. As long as the military es,
tablishments of the Contincental Powers. are kept on the
war footing in their own states, and can supply ready as,
sistance to the- corps in France, the French will not per,
haps venture to fall upon the latter. Their first attacks, •
as a trial of their forces, and of the watchfulness of Eu,
rope,
,will be made against their own Government. Coe,
spiracies will be formed, partial rebellions attempted, and
the king will be told, by his own friends, that he has no
means of retaining his power, or even of saving his life,
than by heading the nation in a new crusade against the
liberties of mankind. If he accept, he will be accepted
and will retain the crown. If he reject, he will be re-
jected : a Pew revolution will burst out : all the agents
of the last`will come forth from their biding places with
renewed power. A nation w ill for a moment be once
more resistless : the defenders of peace will be swept
away as a flood, and Europe will again tremble on her
foundations. Her Princes will hold councils and repent
of their mercy. Fresh armies will be collected, fresh
tributes imposed, fresh devastations commenced. The ~
city that thought herself still a "queen and no widow,"
will mourn before the trenches of. her assailants and yet
brave theit fury to the last. Despoiled of the works of
art that were her safeguard, she will not be spared; the
blood of her thousands will flow upon the ground and her
smoke ascend to Heaven. The throne of her dominion
will then fall dawn for ever, the nations will devour her
provinces. 411t1 her name be swept away from the earth.
Not many Icars will elapse before all this be done,
yet how many generations will have been destroyed !

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