The Sun.
London, England, 1848-08-14 00:00:00

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

We have received the Paris journals of Saturday
and yesterday.
The problematical position of Lombardy almost
entirely engrosses their attention, and from some of
the more remarkable and influential papers we shall
make extracts having reference to the Italian policy
of the Republican Government.
Foremost, of course, as a kind of official manifesto,
is the following declaration of the views entertained
by General CA.V.AIGNAC and his Ministerial colleagues
in regard to the momentous question of intervention.
It is from the columns of the 2lioniteur, and from its
extraordinary interest at the present moment is
transferred to:our columns in extenso :
" At no period of our history has the Government of
France been charged with a greater responsibility than
that which weighs on the Administration presided over
by General Cavaignac. The destinies of France, and,
according to the avowal of the whole of Europe, those of
the civilised world, are, so to speak, in his hands. It is
true, particularly:at this time, when the denouement of the
affairs of Italy has just created for us a new state of
things which the Government was the first to foresee,
and which it would perhaps have succeeded in pre-
venting if Italy herself had been less confident in her
own strength. In presence of such grave events, in
presence of the general interest which the cause of
Italy inspires in France, before entering ou a path
which may end in peace or war, perhaps in an European
war, the Government is bound to take account of
what is demanded by the traditional necessities of our
policy, and the present situation of the Republic.
It comprehends that, at a time when the development
and the safety of commercial relations are become the
condition of prosperity and the influence of nations, it is
important not to lose sight of manufacturing interests.
Penetrated with the necessity of re-establishing public
credit which begins to acquire fresh strength ; persuaded
at the same time that France, from no consideration, can
ever compromise the laws of honour, the Government
endeavours to reconcile what it owes to the dignity of
the French name with the legitimate demands of private
interests. In a word, to accept war if our honour de-
mends it ; to accept it, not in the name of a Sovereign
too often directed by preoccupations foreign to the wishes
and to the wants of the country, but in the name of the
country itself ; in the name of the National Assembly,
the sole arbiter of peace or war ; to avoid it,
on the contrary, but without weakening any
of our duties, and without descending from the rank
which France ought to hold among European nations,
if to avoid it were possible—such was the line of con-
duct which the Government at first traced out for itself
—such was the only policy which appeared to it worthy
of the Republic. That policy the Government has
faithfully and unreservedly followed. It must find itself
sufficiently rewarded for its efforts, since it may now
make the whole of France partake in its hopes which
it feels of the prompt re-establishment of peace in Italy
through the mediation of Franco and England. The
united action of the two powers has already begun to
exercise its effects on several points of the Peninsula.
And if any doubts could be felt as to the results which
may arise from the understanding of the two most influ-
ential nations of Europe, united in one and the same
ides, and for an interest which is also that of the whole
world, we would add that fresh motives for confidence
and security would be found in the relations established
between France and the other foreign powers. These
relations are most amicable, and do not except from
them even those Governments which the name of Re-
public might tend to render unfavourable towards France.
We have, therefore, every reason to hope that this me•
diation of France and England in Italy will be followed
by a prompt and favourable result, and that it will serve
as a prelude to a general pacification. The struggle
which is being carried on in the Duchies for interests of
a comparatively secondary character, must be put a stop
to. The German Parliament wished, we doubt not,
that its first act should be one of conciliation ; and it
will unite itself to our efforts to bring about an arrange •
ment already too long delayed. It will not forgot that
the efficacy of its action depends on its wisdom. Thus
the Republic, although scarcely constituted, will have
resumed in Germany, in Italy, and in the whole of
Europe, the place which the timid, irresolute, and com-
plaisant policy of royalty had caused to be lost, and
France will give to the grateful world the spectacle of
a democracy. which, after having regenerated Europe
by its principles, knows how to keep within proper
bounds all the elements of strength which it contains,
and is ambitious of no glory but that of pacifying the
world."
The id ien Public, as the organ of Le.m.utTlNE, is next
entitled to our attention, and in the last impression of
that journal we find the subjoined expressions of
opinion :
General Cavaignac has not thought it his daty to
give orders to the army to cross the Alps, He has
sought in a common mediation of France and England
the pacific solution of the question. Let us declare it
at once, we felicitate the General on having known how
to place the peace of the world above the flourish of
trumpets. It is a noble sight, in times like these when
the fumes of military glory ascend so easily to the brain,
to behold a man who has made his reputation on the field
of battle forget the: epaulet before the interest of his coun-
try. To put aside the intervention of our armies in Italy
Gen. Cavaignac has three reasons: the first, that we have
already offered our co-operation to Charles Albert, and
that he refused our alliance; the second, that the insurrec-
tion of Juno has caused a wing of the army of the Alps
to be withdrawn, in order to be brought to Paris and its
neighbourhood; the third, that France is isolated in her
diplomacy and that she ought, at any cost, by diplo-
matic means or cannon shot, to get out of her isolation.
But the understanding with England frees it from that state
of isolation without compromising the peace of Europe'
as understanding so much the more easy that, from the
very:first day, General Cavaignac declared that he did
not intend assuming in the affairs of Italy any other part
than that of arbritrator, and that, in no case, and under
no pretext, would he claim an indemnity of territory for
the French Republic. We cannot but approve of the
attitude of General Cavaignac. For, in fact, what is it
we want? It is the independence of Italy, her indepen-
dence at as a small a cost as possible, But peace is a
better way than war to obtain that result."
The Journal des Debate endeavours to justify
CHARLES ALBERT for his recent capitulation ; and
to say the least of the least of the arguments em-
ployed by the journalist, they are marvellously inge-
nious. Altogether the tone of the Paris papers is
gradually becoming more and more pacific ; the ter-
rible and embarrassing posture of affairs in Northern
Italy quelling in some measure the bellicose aspira-
tions of even the most warlike.

A new work is announced by the Constitutionnel as
on the eve of publication, from the manuscripts of
M. DE LAMARTINE. Its title is simply but expres-
sively " Trois Moil au Pouvoir."
The authorities are on the track of the persons
who fired at M. TRIERS, and it is thought the cul-
prits will soon be in the hands of justice.
..-:An article, couched in sanguine terms, appears in
the National, announcing the progressive augments-
tionlof the national treasury under the management.of
M. GOIJDCEIAUX.

The Pattie has this paragraph :
dsairtyetsinorlgevleaodtfi, we
the
hsmee
me
inbnt
lqiyouni
oer
ynd
" At a meeting of representatives, at which General
yesterday,seaatvuaridganyae at
nao psoi rrs edt seeedrhoi
fat tt wh the
eas
vetahset oA
into the insurrection of the 15th of
May, and the 23d,
24th, 25th, and 26th of June. General C avaignac had
consented to present it himself, as we stated. He, how-
ever, abandoned his determination on some observations
subsequently made to him."
The Representaxt du P euple (edited by M.
PROUDFION) says that the report circulated, to the
effect that MM. LOUIS BLANC and CAUSSIDIERE were
to be placed on their trial, originated with a certain
party in the National Assembly, who feared to in-
clude LEDRU Roma/4, the tribune still beloved by the
people, notwithstanding his faults.
The Minister of War is said to be actively en-
gaged in preparing barracks for the troops encamped
in the neighbourhood of Paris. All the buildings
attached to the Palaces of Mendon, St. Cloud, Ver-
sailles, St. Germain, and Paris are to be prepared for
their reception. The Palaces of the Tuileries and
the Luxembourg are to be occupied by troops. It is
expected that 900 men may be lodged in the latter.