The Sun.
London, England, 1848-04-21 00:00:00

TIE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY

( policy of his country is summed up in one
word—Peace. We recently commented upon a most
earnest and truthful panegyric, pronounced by the
eloquent lips of LAMARTIYE, and addressed to a body
of his partially disaffected countrymen, upon the
significant word confidence. Such a panegyric, upon
such a. word and under such circumstances, is
another encouraging evidence of the predominating
spirit of the age. An additional evidence of a similar
character is afforded by the proclamation just issued
by some of the most influential of the leaders of the
Italian Liberals. That proclamation contains :a
panegyric, as earnest and emphatic as that of M. LA-
MARTINE, upon the momentous and sublime word
unity. The renovated spirit of Italian nationality
pervades the whole of this Italian address, and in-
spires its earnest exhortation to the people of
all Italy to crmbine together for their mutual
welfare and the regeneration of their common country.
Now, that the doctrines of Italy," such is the
earnest language of the exhortation—" Now, that
the doctrines of Italy are rising again triumphant
throughout the Peninsula, under the guidance of the
universal: cry that invokes union, this magic sound
should not remain an abstract and empty word, but
should become a truth—a fact—serving as a founda-
tion and safeguard to our political existence and
future glory. But this union (so it goes on) cannot
be obtained without forming, by common consent,
a central and supreme authority to represent Italy,
and serve as a legitimate organ to the national
opinion and will—a supreme directing authority
agreed to, venerated, and obeyed throughout the
land." In pursuance of this idea, it is proposed, we
know not with what prospect of realisation to establish
an Italian Diet—a National Assembly of all Italy.
As a mode of asserting and ensuring the nationality
of Italy and the unity of the Italian states, such an
assembly would, without doubt, beeminently effec-
tual ; but, however it may be practically beneficial,
and consequently advisable, it is impossible to decide
until the proposed plan be further developed—it ii
impossible to decide how far the establishment of the
Italian Diet would be likely to promote unity withclut
knowing whether or not the establishment of such a
power might interfere with the jurisdiction of the Go-
vernment of Rome, and hence promote discord in-
stead of promoting unity. This, however, is a matter
on which we can give no opinion until we receive
'urther information. The establishment of the
taller) Diet forms also the subject of an address to

the POPE from deputies of the different states of
Italy, in which address they desire the PONTIFF to
permit the convocation of an assembly of the repre-
sentatives of the Italian states to be held in Rome,
forming a national Parliament. " All the citi-
zens of Italy," say they, " with hearts over-
come by unspeakable " joy, turn full of
hope and trust to the generous PONTIFF who
has initiated the Italian resurrection, and entreat
him to accomplish the holy work commenced. These
people have the consciousness of their nationality,
are sons of the same family, and earnestly desire to
bind the compact of love and brotherhood, uniting
themselves round their father and liberator." Whe-
ther the Italian Diet be established or not, these
pacific expressions and aspirations after unity. among
the people of one nation, like LAMARTINE'S aspiration
for peace between nations, evince in a most satis-
factory and unmistakeable manner the liberal and
withal pacific spirit which now animates the hearts
of the people of Europe.

Letters from Athens of the 4th instant state that
the KING had signed a general amnesty.

Madrid journals of the 15th have arrived. They
are barren of intelligence.
MADRID BOLA, APRIL 15.—Three per Cents, 21
cash ; Five per Cents. 13,i paper ; Coupons, 9 paper ;
Bank of St. Ferdinand, par, cash (with dir.) Exchange
on 60 days, 41 paper.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

PROCEEDINGS AT PARIS.

We have received the Paris papers of yesterday.

The grand national festival to celebrate the frater-
nization of the army and the National Guard took
place as announced yesterday, and was concluded
by a grand military demonstration, the like
of which has never before perhaps been witnessed
l'he whole of the forces under arms, consisting of
33J,000 National Guards and Gerdes Mobiles and
5,000 tr,)ops of the line, fell into rank and marched
round the Boulevards and through the city in mili-
tary order, with drums beating and colours flying.
The procession took eight hours in passing any
given spot in the line of march. The greatest enthu-
siasm prevailed and the most kindly dispositions were
manifested towards the troops, the National Guards,
and the Provisional Government. Up to the hour of
post the greatest tranquillity prevailed, and there was
no probability of that tranquillity being interrupted.
It is considered that this demonstration will
strengthen immensely the power of the moderate
members of the Provisional Government.

The appearance of the National Guard and the
Garde Mobile was peculiarly characteristic. The
National Guard exhibited the strangest motley ap-
pearance ; not above half their number in uniform—
some wore blouses, others coats, cloaks, and vest-
ments of every variety of fashion and colour. The
strangest confusion of classes was also observable.
Individuals, who from their bearing and costume be-
longed evidently to the more affluent classes, were
seen bearing muskets beside men in blouses, porters,
messengers, and guards in uniform. In some cases
the more provident of the guards hid a loaf stuck
upon their bayonets.

Previous to marching to the Champ de Mara the
National Guard took up the positions assigned to
them along the Boulevards, from the Place de la
Bastille to the Madeline. From time to time a regi-
ment of the marched along the centre of the
Boulevards headed by its band playing the national
airs. This was invariably the signal for enthusiastic
cheering from the National Guards on either side,
which was duly responded to and acknowledged by
the regular troops. The Guard Mobile, not yet pro-
vided with uniform, and therefore presenting a sin-
gular appearance of a body of armed operatives,
appeared from time to time. Cheers were likewise
interchanged between these and the National Guards
and regular troops respectively.
By ten o'clock the whole line of the Boulevards,
the Place de la Concorde, and the Champs Elysees,
were occupied by National Guards. The fete was
conducted exactly according to the programme which
we published yesterday.
At eight o'clock this morning the Provisional
Government left the hotel of the Minister of War
in carriages, to take up their places at the Arc de
Triomphe, where a handsome platform was fitted up
for them, decorated with a profusion of flags, stream-
ers, and other decorations. They were attended by
an escort of Hussars, and as they passed they were
loudly cheered by the troops, who, even at that early
hour, were drawn up in the Champs Elysees. Im-
mediately on taking their places, twenty one guns
were fired, to announce the commencement of the fete.
Behind the Members of the Provisional Govern-
tnent were placed the Members of the Couneil of
State ; the deputations of the Court of Cassation,
of the Court of Accounts, of the Court of Appeal,
and of the other tribunals; general officers and ad-
mirals ; under-secretaries of state ; deputies of the
Mayor of Paris; the principal administrative func-
tionaries; a deputation of the ponts-et-chaussees; a
deputation of the council of public instruction ;
deputation of the committee of government of the
working classes; a deputation of the wounded of
February, and of the persons condemned for political
offences; the colonels of the different legions of the
National Guards and of the detachments of the army;
the chefs de bataillon of the National Guard Mobile ;
the colonels of the republican guard and of the civic
guard, all accompanied by their colour•bearers, as.
setnbled in front of the estrade.

At nine o'clock the distribution of the colours
commenced. Each colonel ascended the platform
successively, and was addressed in a short speech, by
one or other of the members of the Provisional Go
vernment ; after which the colours were presented to!
him, and he made a short speech in reply. The:
colonels and other officers then retired, and placed:
themselves at the head of their regiments. Asi
they passed the different legions they were loudlyi
cheered, and saluted with cries of " Vive la:
Garde Nationale !" " Vire la Ripublique !" Thai
colonels of the infantry were saluted with partieularl

favcur, and the shouts of " Vive la ligne !" from
the National Guard were loud and enthusiastic.
Just before the distribution of the colours the cere-
mony of the fraternization of the army, the National
Guards, and the Garde Mobile took place. The
filing off of the troops commenced soon after eleven
o'clock.

The Moniteur 9f this morning contains a proclama-
tion by the Provisional Government, of which we
subjoin the substance.
" The republic lives by liberty and discussion. The
clubs are for the republic a necessity—for the citizens a
right. The Government is pleased to see citizens as-
semble to discuss the highest questions of politics. The
Government protects the clubs. But that liberty may
have its fruits, beware of giving cause of alarm, remem-
ber that alarm gives rise to contra-revolutionary re-
action. If free discussion be a right discussion with
arms in our hands is a danger, it may become an oppres-
sion. If the liberty of the clubs is ene of the most in-
violable conquests of the revolution, armed clubs may
m liberty, excite the worst passions, and
rinpgm
aboutoise
It then interdicts the clubs from, being armed dur-
ingcbor civilthat war."
their deliberations.
The Afoniteur also publishes a decree granting an
amnesty to all deserters from the sea and land
service, who may surrender within two months if
within the French territory, and six months if out

of France.
The Moniteur publishes an important decree, levy-
ing a tax of one per cent. on all incomes derived from
moveable, immoveable, or funded property.

- - -
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THI
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE. APRIL 20.
Boulogne and Amiens, 6—Naniur and Liege, I—Northern
oLfyoln'rs,ana 3LA —Orleans and Bordeaux, OA—Paris and
21,E—Paris and Strasburg, 134.