The Sun.
London, England, 1849-03-23 00:00:00

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC

We have received the Paris papers of yesterday.
The Moniteur announces that M. D'AMARAL had
presented his credentials as Charge d'Affaires from
the Emperor of BRAZIL to the French Republic.
The discussion on the various articles of the law
relating to clubs was continued in the sitting of the
National Assembly yesterday, and was adjourned
until Monday, in order to give time to the Committee,
to which was referred the consideration of an addi-
tional clause proposed by M. VICTOR LANFRANC, to
report. The clause proposed by M. LAN7RANC is,
" that meetings of political associations, having a
determined object, shall not be considered as
clubs." During the course of the discussion the
difficulties of passing any law which should prohibit
clubs, and at the same time preserve intact the right
of association became manifest. Among other so-
cieties mentioned was the " Free-trade Association,"
of which M. LEON FAUCHER is himself a member.
That gentleman declared that, as the proposed law
did not meddle with the right of association, the Free-
trade Association did not come under its provisions ;
but when asked to define what he meant by right of
association, he remained silent. M. EMANUEL ARAGO
put the following case to the Minister of the Interior :
—Private social clubs (cereles) exist, and if they be
opened to the public, it will be said that they are
ordinary clubs, and they will be subject to the pro-
posed law ; or they will close their doors against the
public, and then they will become secret societies, and
be liable to be interdicted, in virtue of the law of
1848, as then it could not be left to the tribunals to
decide whether such places of meeting were or
were not clubs, he demanded of the Minister
what hi, meant by association ? Still, the
Minister remained silent, and this piece of
bungling legislation will, if carried, either remain
inoperative, because of the impossibility of working
it, or it will render liable to punishment every mem-
ber of every association, religious, literary, or chari-
table, as well as political, in France. The following
protest against this law has been drawn up by M.
DE LAMENNAIS, 1111 d signed by 150 Members of
the National Assembly:—

" PROTESTATION.
" The Ist article of the law upon public meeting is a
violation of the Constitution. We have protested by our
vote. We have protested by our abstinence; and we will
persist in abstaining because we desire not to participate
in any way on the passing of this law, which is a flagrant
attempt on natural rights, and rights written in the Con •
stitution."

The Moniteur du Soir publishes an official contra-
diction of the statement that General PELET has left
Paris for Piedmont on a special mission.
It is said that the Ministry intend to introduce a
new law relative to the press.
It is reported by the Constitutionnel that the Clubs
intend to make a demonstration on the 26th. This
report, however, is not generally credited. It is pro-
bably a puff preliminary for another of General
CHANGARNIER'S glorious victories when there is no
enemy ; after which he will be again eulogised as
the preserver of the public peace, which was never in
danger. The farce of the 29th January is, we sup-
pose, to be repeated on the 26th March.
The general meeting of the shareholders of the
Vierzon Railway Company took place on Tuesday in
Hertz's great room. The report stated that the
capital will not only be sufficient to meet the extra-
ordinary expenses incurred, amounting to two mil.
lions of francs, but also defray the expenses of the
branch line to Nevers, which has been added to the
original concession. The length of the branch line
to Nevers is about seven English miles. The meeting
ratified unanimously the convention entered into, on
December 21st, between the Minister of Public
to comprise the branch line to
al lease. M. MOURLHON has
NbWe eeovnrekrss confirmedainnd tthehe
board,ionr theigi n
post of director, in the place
of M. BANES, resigned,
PARIS BOURSE, THURSDAY, MARCH 22.
THREE O'CLOCK.—The French Funds opened to-day
more than 1 per cent. above the closing prices of yes-
terday, but they gradually gave way, and closed at about
40 cents. above yesterday's closing prices. The business
done was very limited. The events in Italy are looked
to with considerable interest. Exchange on London
(30 days), 25 22k ; ditto (90 days), 25 12k.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK-EXCHANGE, MARCH 22.
Central of France (Orleans and Vierzon), 11 lA—Lux-
emhourg, 14—Namur and Liege, 81,_Northern of France,
10 X—Rouen and Havre, 115/4-- Sambre and Meuse, 4—Tours
and Nantes, 2 V.