The National Register.
London, England, 1814-05-15 00:00:00

TTIF NATIONAL REGISTER.

FRANCE CAPABLE OF A MEE GOVERNMENT.

The conduct and I anguoge of certain journalists have.
of late been so inconsiderate, that, if 'we f‘7.-:1 it our duiy-

to notice their vaeoes top'cs, we di it without passion—
and without invective. But, if all supposed danger is
passed—if 'mankind are called upon to deliver themselves
sr,a to a delirium of joy—if the halcyon days of peace are
about to obliterate the ravaees of war—it may, perhaps,
l' wise to mix a little reason with our exultation, lest an
infatuation should lead ins ieto the coetrary extremes, and,
in our gratitude for bvi:ig escaped frown ono class of
evils, we fall into others eaually fatal to the repose, liberty,
and happ!ness of maekind.
It mould appear, inde,stl, from the sentiments of the
leading ministerial journal, The Courier, notwithqambng
the noble self-devotion of the " Universal French Na-
tign,'.' for we copy their expression, " that theie is a
ity-isical impediment La the character. et* the lesople to the
Isnowledee and enjoyment of true liberty, and that the
wisest thing tiley could do would he to• return ae nearly
as possible to the blessings and resignetions of the ancient.
ReAhne." What blessin;s these are, Psenin-philosopers
may perhaps condescend to tell us, when the other topics
of eulegium are exhausted, that are intended to advance the
chaacter of the one country Over the other; but, fer our
parts, who believe the conformetion of mankind tnuch
the Same to either—rill or pleasure, we csimot see
the Ficnch are incapahle of a frre and a reoresenta-
tive government. We Lave beard reticle of certain secta-
ries who profess an eeclusive morality, end here we arc
favoured with new clectr'eres upon .poli:ical respensihili-
ties that would apply to- the nrcldent.; of country wed
climate, an exception to the common benehts of csperl-
ence and improvement.
How far the lliiuse of Bourbon will thresh_ tits ;n is r
this indiscreet zeal rill he seen in the reselutiou with
which they reject Their dectrines ; and we shoe:-.., is d ed,
have cause to deplore, if all theist the raotl; n!i'. a cl geed
have been led to expect from the recent revelutien, for We
cannot call it a restoration at present, .lis4pate it-
pelf in adulatory addresses, and humenehe psrstie.
fact is, that in France a free press and a EtTref;o% t'
government have never had a fair experielent. The vie-
lence of the revolutionery peeled Was sueeeeded by one of
expedients, which finally resolved • itself into the mi-
litary despotism that had nearly subjugated the whole of
Europe. The sudden change has done little to TOM OVP
COLS disposition for CCtrs glO ire j" and to attempt to era-
dicate it would again probably involve that unhappy conn-
tryein the miseries of domestic warfare. France, to be
really benefitted, must lose much cf her military ardour :
the civic virtues must take place of the marital ; and until
she has been taught to respect mile), free,..and equitable
institutions, she can nsver regain the ascendancy she has
lost, by the recent conquest of her country. If any sys-
tem can be devised-to'zffett these desirab!e ends ; it' a nie
thing can be looked to as promising strength iud dura.

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