The Sun.
London, England, 1848-05-01 00:00:00

MONDAY

VEINING, MAY I, 1848.

to deceive them long. With their admirable good sense,
and with the enlightenment for which they are indebted
to modern civilisation, they have understood that the
first condition of liberty is order—that order is labour,
awl easy circumstances, and they have easily seen who
were the best defenders of order, of labour, of the wel-
fare and rights of all. They have nominated their
defenders by a great majority; and they will know how
to defend them with energy. At present all orders of
the state, all classes of society, Paris and the provinces,
the National Guard and the army, manufacturers and
large proprietors, all entertain the same object of
securing. the reign of order and conservation, of securing
the independence of the Assembly which is about to
meet."
The Constitutionnel says—

" We can only now congratulate ourselves on seeing
that the rather numerous minorities which exist in the
country will have representatives in the Assembly. The
more the Assembly is a faithful and complete image of
the nation, the less will violent conflicts be to be feared,
and the less excuse will there be for them. Every opi-
nion has in the first place the free press, through which
it may address itself to the country; then, when it has a
sufficient number of partisans, the national tribune is open
to it. To appeal to force, when one has the free press
and universal suffrage, is not only a crime—it is au ex-
travagance. What is a!so a good symptom for the
future state of our country is the eagerness shown by
the citizens to take part in the elections. Every one
appeared to comprehend that the time fLr indif-
ference was past; every one is aware that the
destiny of individuals is closely connected with the
fate of the common country. We are republican ;
no one is charged by us to arrange our affairs;
there is no longer a fictitious sovereignty which conceals
itself behind the national sovereignty ; the doctrine of
M. Guizot, who referred all citizens to the care of their
private fortane, to concentrate exclusively in some hands
the government of public affairs, a bad and dangerous
doctrine at all times, will be now doubly criminal. Let
us perform boldly and with perseverance our duties as
citizens, and endeavour to acquire political virtues, with-
out which there is neither true liberty nor a true re-
public. Let there be an exaggerated confidence, no
sudden discouragement ; the good accomplished one day
by concord, vigilance, energy, and patriotism, may be
always destroyed on the following one by an act of
intolerance or abandonment, by an excess of confidence
or of fear. At this moment, for instance, there is
reason to hope that the Constituent Assembly will
resolve in a sense favourable to the working classes
the questions which will be brought before it,
without attacking legitimate rights or the funda-
mental principle of property ; there is reason to
hope that it will show itself neither anarchical nor op-
pressive. We do not ask more than to share in this
hope, and we feel the greatest respect for national re-
presentation. But who can swear that the Assembly
will neither commit faults tier errors? who can say that
no discontented minority will ever attempt violence?
What immense and terrible questions are about to be
submitted to the chances of the tribune and of the ballots!
What a redoubtable influence will the Assembly exer-
cise on the whole of Europe; What consequences may
follow a bad resolution, a violence of majority, an act of
weakness fur badly employed eloquence, a❑ inspiration
of alarm or of anger in presence of threats from without!
Let each citizen impose on himself the duty of inces-
santly watching; in observing that prudence and poll-
cal firmness of which England and the United States
have given us so many examples, to manifest his opinion
opportunely under legal forms, to defend in case of need
the Constituent Assembly, from which the nation ought
not to separate itself a single day. Let there be, more-
over, no impatience or recourse to violence, whatever may
arrive. Discussion and time will suffice for good sense
and for truth."

The following, from the Commerce, expresses, we
believe most correctly, the sentiments of the French
people :
" The first trial of universal suffrage has just been
completed from one end of France to the other, and it
gives a marked contradiction to those who suspected
the good sense of the nation. The elections already in
great part known are at the same time republican and
moderate. France has proclaimed, by an immense majo-
rity, names which are for her the symbol of order and li-
berty. We salute with all our hearts this triumph of
moderation and public reason. We salute it, because we
are sure that this moderation will not be retrograde.
It is not any longer concessions which suffice—it is large
satisfactions which the popular interest has a right to
demand, identical as it is with the well- understood in-
terest of the burgess party. The burgess party has
comprehended that, and thanks be rendered to it for
doing so! Names belonging to the people, names of
workmen, have issued in a certain number from the
electoral urn. All classes, if there be classes, will
be represented. The old Left occupies a consider-
able place in the election, and it was only just that
it should do so. It would have been ingratitude on the
part of the young Republic to dismiss that vanguard
which had fought the last combats of liberty. The
Republic is strong enough to forget that the Left was a
moment surprised, not to say wore, at having gained
the victory too well. These men were besides in general
prepared for the regime which they were unwise enough
to postpone to a future time, more or less near, more ur
less distant. The rapidity of their conversion is for us
not a calculation of duplicity. as has been falsely affirmed,
but a sincere and bond fide pledge of their facility to
admit what they had not known how to foresee, from
want of sagacity, or bring about, from want of decision.
What an advance besides IILIS not been made for all since
Feb. 24! What lessons have not been given by the
event! What light, not suspected a few days before,
has been all at once revealed, and how many new horizons
have made their appearance! The necessity of reforms,
nut only political, but social, is evident even to those
who were not long since obstinate in seeing only the
half or the quarter of the problem. It is a flag which
the Republican Assembly will adopt resolutely. Issuing
from the people, it will be of the people—it is only at
that price that it can be powerful."
The Journal des &ball gives the following account
of the arrangements of the new hall of the National
Assembly :
" The shorthand writers commissioned to report the
debates of the new National Assembly held another
meeting on Thursday in the hall of the bureaux of the
old Chamber of Deputies, for the purpose of appointing
their syndics. The new ball of the National Coll.
stitueut Assembly will be immense; its form
is oblong, with a circular termination of the
extremity which faces the tribune and the arm-
chair of the President. The benches are wood,
covered with green baize. The representatives of tht
Republic will be seated less comfortably than in the
theatres ; they will be separated from each other by a
rail, covered with baize. The decorations of the tribune
and the ensemble are pale green and yellow. About the
chair of the President is suspended a sort of drapery
resembling the curtain of a large theatre. On the right
and left are inscribed in large capital letters the magic
words, ' French Republic, Liberty, Equality, and Fra-
ternity.' The ball, which is well lighted by a double
row of transverse casements, will be illuminated at
night by nine lustres, arranged in three paralel lines
To the reporters of the public press will be assigned
ninety places in the tribunes, and these places will be
the nearest the bureau of the President. The tribune of
the Editors-in-chief ' will hold forty-two persons.
The places reserved for the public without tickets are at
the end of the ball in the most elevated part; they are
isolated from the other tribunes and are entered by a
separate staircase."
The Journal de Rouen of Saturday gives the fol-
lowing summary of the further accounts of the dis-
turbances which have taken place in that city
On Friday morning, at nine o'clock, the National
Guards and the troops of the line, who rivalled each
ether in zeal, were in close conflict with the insurgents.
We now learn that notwitstanding the conduct of the
latter fully warranted the immediate adoption of the
most extreme measures, the authorities would not at-
tempt the taking of the barricades until the legal
formalities of summoning the insurgents to surrender
had been exercised. When these were treated with
contempt, a sharp fire from musketry and cannon was
opened upon the barricades, and the most important of
them surrendered after a terrible resistance. The in-
surgents then declared that if their lives were spared
they would of themselves destroy the other barricades.
The offer was accepted and executed. This was in
the streets near the close St. Mare, but near the Martain-
ville the insurgents held out, and a fire of musketry was
kept up for an hour, • at ihe end of which the in-
surgents in that quarter made an unconditional sur-
render, and expressed great contrition for their conduct.
. The Government Commissary, M. Deschamps, and the
Provisional Mayor, M. Lebrlleau, then went through
the streets which had been the scene of disaster, pro-
claiming peace and conciliation. The insurgents, how-
ever, did not observe good faith, for no sooner had their
lives been spared than they recommenced their work in
other quarters. They threw stones, and fired at the
escort of a commissary of police, and began to construct
new barricades in the quarters Martainville and St. Hi-
laire, and even on Boulevards bearing these names. It
was again necessary to act with vigour. A charge was
made by the cavalry upon the insurgents en the place
St. Hilaire, and they were driven as far as the rail-
road bridge oa the road to Darnetuil. Three of the
insurgents were killed in this attack. At Saint Sever
there was a large body of insurgents, but these also
were routed, and fled across the plain. A barricade
was gallantly carried by some National Guards, and
the infantry of the line coming up, the pursuit of
the insurgents was continued—they attempted to main-
tain a stand at a barricade at the aid of the Rue
d'lilbeuf, but it was carried, and two of its tlefenders lost
their lives. During the remainder of the day the insur
gentr were comparatively quiet, with the exception of an
attack upon a patrol from the windows of some houses
in the Rue Martaiuville. None of the patrol suffered; but
the fire being returned, two of the assailants were killed.
Up to three o'clock in the morning, the date of the article
of the Jou, nal de Rouen, no further attempt had been
made by the insurgents, and such precautions bad been
adopted that it was not thought probable they would re-
sume their criminal enterprise. The city, however, was
still in a state of consternation. The number of killed
on the two days is estimated at 22 ; but that of the
wounded could not be ascertained. It does not appear
that there has been any serious loss on the side of the
National Guard and the troops. Two hundred and
forty-four persons have been arrested ; amongst them is
M. Durand, deputy-mayor, and chief of a club, to whose
wild doctrines the rising is in great part attributed. At
ten o'clock last night a man, who had been already ar-
rested and released, was taken up again, disguised in
female apparel. The city has not been declared in a
state of siege, as represented by some of our Paris con-
temporaries, but merely en etat de yunrre, which gives to
the military commandant unlimited power of action.
The National Guards are stated to have acted with
great courage, amounting a1m056 to exasperation, Re-

inforcements of troy os of the line were hourly expected
at Rouen. The Journal de Rouen adds that the work-
men of Dbeuf have also risen, and ammunition has
been sent otf to that place for the troops and the Na-
tional Guards ; the extent of the insurrection was not
known."
Accounts were received in Paris on Saturday
night of the perfect restoration of tranquillity in
Rouen. The town was in possession of the military.
At Elbeuf the insurgents had been defeated.
The Government have received official accounts of
the loss of the war steamer Salamandre, of 120 horse
power. She was lost on the coast of Proven9e.
Twelve hundred of the Garde Mobile have been
sent to Rouen.

--- -----
General OUDINOT, commanding provisionally the
army of the Alps, left Paris on Saturday for head-
quarters at Lyons.
The accounts from Algiers are very alarming. The
National says—
" We receive the most alarming news from Algeria,
and the unfortunate sending of the commissary extraor-
dinary of whom we spoke has not a little contributed to
cause perturbation in our colony. M. Couput has, it Is.
true, been revoked; but confidence in the authority of
the metropolis is morally shaken, and it will be difficult
to repair for a long time the evil, which a misunder-
standing, we are assured. has caused. Already had im-
prudent expressions which fell from high functionaries,
and which only expressed a personal opinion, caused
a certain agitation, and given rise to the false and
disastrous belief that the sympathies of the Government
of France for its conquest of Africa were weakened;
as if the greatness and glory of France, to which Africa
is for the future attached, were not a more ardent wish
and a more imperative necessity for the republic than
for any other form of government. On the other hand,
the Arabs are agitated, and those who know their
habits advise us to be on our guard. It is in the pro-
vince of Oran especially that the symptoms, which are
the precursors of the storm, display themselves. If we
be well informed in the midst of the anxieties,
natural however, which absorb the Provisional
Government, the prompt and decisive measures
which would prevent audacious attempts are
not taken. What is wanted, above all, is
to place at the head of the province, always the first ex-
posed, an active, young, intelligent chief, whose ex-
perience and previous career inspire confidence in the
army, and impose peace on the Arabs. This chief is desig-
nated by everybody in Africa ; but here there are
hesitations, and a fear to wound hierarchical self-love.
Perilous circumstances demand a bold initiative, for
which the situation should be consulted rather than the
Annuaire. Under similar circumstances the last Govern-
ment went to seek a young colonel at the head of a
regiment, made him general of brigade, and immediately
gave him a command of 15,000 men in that same pro-
vince of Oran, without taking into account the clamours
or pretensions of the general staff. Can the Republic
not have the power to do what the monarchy dared 1"

General CATAIGNAC has been recalled from Al-
giers, and General CHANGARNIER, a young and
active officer, has been appointed Governor. General.

The Provisional Government has decreed the re•
duction of the number of military divisions of France
from 21 to 17.

By another decree of the Provisional Government
the palace of the Louvre is ordered to be completed,
and to assume the name of " Palace of the People."
It is to be appropriated for the exhibition of the
works of art, the productions of national industry,
and the national library. The Rue de Rivoli is to
be continued on the same plan. The works relative
to the construction of the Palace of the People are
declared works of publiu utility; and the " expro•
priation" of the houses intervening is to commence
forthwith.

The Minister of Public Instruction has changed
the name of the " Asylums " into that of " Maternal
Schools," and instituted, at Paris, a " Normal Mater-
nal School, for the instruction of the functionaries of
the Maternal Schools," under the direction of Made-
moiselie MARIE CARPANTIER, the authoress of a
work on those institutions which was approved by the
French Academy.

The following decree for the fusion of the depart-
mental banks with the Bank of France is published in
the Afoxiteur of Saturday. It is dated the 27th :
"Article 1. The Banks of France, of Rouen, Lyons,
Havre, Lille, Toulouse, Orleans, and Marseilles, are
united.

" Article 2. The departmental banks above enume-
rated will continue in operation as branches of the Bank
of France, conformably to the regulations stipulated in
the decree of the 18th of May, 1808, and the ordonnance
of the 25th of March, 1841.

"The present number of the administrators of the
departmental banks is maintained, as also the boards of
discount, organized for the service of several of them.
" The number of shares, the possession of which is at
present required as a. guarantee from the directors,
censors, administrators, and members of the councils of
discount of those departmental banks, is provisionally
maintained.
" Article 3. The shares of those banks are annulled,
and the holders shall receive in exchange shares of the
Bank of France at a nominal value of I,ooof. for a
❑ominal value of I,ooof.
" Article 4. In order to execute the above article the
Bank of France is empowered to issue 17,200 new
shares, which will increase its capital to 85,100 shares
of I,ooof.

" Article 5. By the cession of those new shares to the
shareholders of the banks of Rouen. Lyons, Havre,
Lille, Toulouse, Orleans, and Marseilles, the Bank of
France shall become proprietor of the capital of those
banks, and be made chargeable with their engagements.
The reserve funds, existing in each of those banks,
shall be added to the reserve fund of the Bank of
France. The uniting of the landed and chattel pro-
perty, resulting from the present article, shall be sub-
jected to the fixed registry duty imposed on deeds of
partnership.
" Article 6. The Bank of France is authorised to add
to the maximum of circulation, fixed by the decree of the
15th of March last, the maximum of the circulation fixed
for each of the departmental banks by the decree of the
25th of the same month.

" From the date of the promulgation of the present
decree, the notes issued by the banks, incorporated with
the Bank of France, shall be received throughout the
Republic as a legal tender by all the branches of the
public Treasury and private individuals. The holders
f said notes shall have to present them to the Bank of
France, or to its branches, within the following six
months, in order to exchange them for notes of that
bank. Beyond that period those notes shall cease to be
current as a legal tender, but the Bank of France and its
branches shall not be exonerated from the obligation of
exchanging them.
"Article 7. The inspectors of the finance department,
on an order of the Minister, may verify the situation of
the branch banks.
" Article 8. In future the branch banks o f the Bank
of France shall bear the following denomination:—Bank
of France, Branch Bank of

"Lone in the Government Council on the 27th of
April, 1848.
• (Signed) The Members of the Provisional Govern-
ment—

" DUPONT (de I'Eure) " LAMARTINE,
" ARAGON " LOUIS BLANC,

" ALBERT, " ARMAND M.LRRAST,
" CREMIEUX, " MARIE,
" FLOCON, " LEDRU ROLLIN."
" GARNIER PAGES
It was reported on Sunday that the Provisions)
Government had determined to postpone the meeting
of the National Assembly, which at present is fixed
for the 4th of May (Thursday next), for nine or ten
days, on the ground that it is impossible for the re-
presentatives of the distant places to arrive in time in
Paris. The measure is certainly not without good
grounds, for the time between the election of the
members and the meeting of the Assembly, which
was in any case very short, has been still further cur-
tailed by the length of time required for the collecting
and counting of the votes in the larger departments.
Among the distinguished members of the late Cham-
ber of Deputies, whose return to the National As-
sembly is announced, is that of M. Durnf. He is the
only eminent member of the Conservative party yet
elected, if we except the Count DE MONTALEMBERT,
whose return will be disputed. The celebrated Abbe
LACORDAIRE is among th• members returned for
Marseilles.

Preparations are making at the Palace of the Tulle-
ries for the reception of the Provisional Government,
which intends to install itself there immediately after
the meeting of the National Assembly.
There was nothing done at the Passage of the
Opera yesterday.