The Sun.
London, England, 1848-04-11 00:00:00

14 Inning gillt

LONDON, TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1848.

Yesterday was a day worthy of perpetual remem-
brance—not as the epoch of a Revolution, but as the
occasion of a demonstration, a spontaneous and
popular demonstration, of allegianoe to the Govern-
ment, and of devotion to the Constitution of Great
Britain. It becomes our bounden duty to express
our acknowledgments to the Hon. Gentleman the
representative of Nottingham for having, however
patriotich
unintentionally,ent provoked this ebullition of loyal and
been productive of nm.o If the Chartist agitation has
other advantage, it has certainly
elicited from the inhabitants of our metropolis tokens
of affection for thempoustlitical institutions of Great
Britain such as
permanent satisfaction, alffvohr-d an universal and
yesterday an extraordinary le we were writing
movement was going
forward throughout London. Preparations were
making in all directions fo
maintenance
of order and the preservation the
organized
A defensive system was deliberaetfely atr nquillity•
both by the civil and military
arrrispottnretsd.upSonantdh-e
.authorities. the principal public offices were Most of
bags were heaped up into artificialg
roof of the Bank to enable the soldiersem to fire with
comparative safety and precision. Troopswere ac-
cumulated in rather formidable numbers in
neigh-
bourhood of the Royal Exchange. A few the
before, the Court had judiciously proceededevetonieje
Os-
borne House, so that treason could not even have the
satisfaction of peeping at royalty over the chevaux de
frieze of Buckingham Palace. Shop-windows were
barricaded by their customary shutters, and ci-
1,. vilians paraded the different streets bearing the
' staves and wearing the armlets of the special
constabulary. Occasionally an adventurous omnibus
or a speculative cab straggled along the principal
_ .
thoroughfares—but otherwise the carriage ways were
unobstructed, and gave ample space to the more in-

quisitive pedestrians. Citywards, and in the direc-
tion of Westminster, the capital presented the ap-
pearance of a place stricken either by plague, panic,
or bombardment. And all this commotion arose
from the proposition of a Monster Procession in
favour of Chartism—a procession which was to be

the bearer of a petition, signed by 5,706,000 persons,
from Kennington-common to the very doors of
Parliament. In ordinary times we doubt not
but that the delegates of the National Con-
vention would hare been permitted to carry
their whim into execution, inconvenient as
such a demonstration must inevitably have been to
the more peaceable shopkeepers of the metropolis.
At such an extraordinary juncture as the present it
is not surprising, however, that the Government
should have at once resolved to prevent a proceeding
so imminently perilous, and that the loyal civilians
of Middlesex should simultaneously have determined
to co-operate themselves with the laudable exertions
of the Executive. As was explicitly shown in the
first prohibitive proclamation issued by the Police
Commissioners of Scotland-yard, the propcsed move-
ment on the part of the associates of Mr. FEARGUS
O'Cosesioa was in direct contravention of the statute
13th CHARLES 11., sec. 1, cap. 5. It was, therefore, in
obedience to the law, and not in violation of the rights
of the multitude, that the Government arrived at the
determination to prevent the tumultuous assembling
of petitioners at Westminster. With this patriotic
resolution, the various regiments and troops of
artillery were concentrated in London, and the
ripened energies of the veteran Commander-in-Chief
directed to the suppression of an embryo rebellion.
It is almost a matter of humiliation to us, how-
ever, to remember the enormous force which reared
itself between the Convention and the Constitution.
The contrast was absolutely pitiable—the vast
strength opposed to the miniature weakness, and a
weakness, too, that actually melted away at
the mere mention of opposition. Those who observedrlled
the braggart-banners of Kennington- common, o
up and tucked under the arms of the standard-
bearers of Chartism—those who recognised those
standard-bearers skulking over the pavements of
London-bridge—those who saw the petition igno-
miniously conveyed to the House of Commons in a
cabriolet—must have almost lamented that efforts of
such extraordinary magnitude should have been
made for the purpose of quelling an insurrection,
which in character might literally be described as
vaporiform. Not that we would in any particular
cast derision upon the cause of Chartism, in conse-
quence of the pacific termination of the pro.
ceedings of yesterday, but that we would
hold up to continual obloquy and abhor-
rence those most criminal and most contemptible
demagogues who would excite the people to sedition
for the sake of rendering themselves conspicuous,
and who would purchase notoriety even though it
was at the expense of bloodshed. It is because the
agitation in favour of Chartism has been disgraced
by the ravings of a few political incendiaries that a
certain degree of odium has been reflected upon the
Chartists generally, and that the conduct of the
Honourable Gentleman the Member for Nottingham
has been regarded with an unnecessary degree of
suspicion. The course adopted yesterday by that
honourable representative is of itself sufficient to
show that the ambition of anarchy—that insanity
of legislation !—has neither obscured his patriotism,
nor dissipated his humanity, like that of his more
ignoble and less influential colleagues.
The discussion upon the second reading of the
Crown and Government Security Bill—a discussion
which happily followed immediately upon the pre-
sentation of the Chartist petition in the House of
Commons—formed an appropriate and patriotic, be-
cause loyal and constitutional, close to the occur-
rences of yesterday evening. The unutterable scorn
and indignation with which Parliament listened to
the seditious language of Mr. WILLIAM SMITH
O'BaisN, language which that gentleman
had the temerity, not to say the indecency,
to utter in the very presence of the SPEAKER—the
acclamations which greeted Sir GEORGE Guar when
he eulogised the majestic policy of LAMIRTINB, and
invoked the loyalty of the population of these islands
towards the person of her Britannic MAJESTY—the
contempt with which Mr. Hume repudiated the
notion of an insurrectionary outbreak against the
SOVEREIGN, and the felicitous derision cast upon the
morbid aspirants for distinction by the voice of the
SOLICITOR-GENERAL—formed together a fitting ter-
mination to the sedate enthusiasm of yesterday.
Altogether the 10th of April, 1848, will be worthily
remembered as a warning to anarchists and as a
triumph to patriotism.

The revolutionary movement throughout Europe is
assuming a more pacific character. Hostilities are
almost invariably deprecated, and in a few instances
the people have preferred to reinstate their old
Governments in a modified form, rather than to retain
the authority in their own hands. We are far, how-
ever, from inferring from these facts that an anti-
revolutionary spirit is prevailing, or that a general
reaction is taking place. On the contrary, we are
disposed to consider these events as having a more
important and more satisfactory significance. They
bear witness that in their simultaneous insurrections
the various insurgent nations were not incited by a
paltry ambition for notoriety, nor by a puerile desire
of possessing themselves of the insignia of authority.
Their ambition was to assert and establish their un-
doubted rights, and to obtain the enjoyment of
liberal institutions ; but, at the same time, their
desire was to establish those claims, if possible,
without any tumult or bloodshed whatsoever, and to
maintain public order and tranquillity. Happily this
laudable ambition has been in a great measure realised ;
these desirable results have been very generally
obtained. Recent accounts from France are most
encouraging. More especially are we rejoiced to
find that the Provisional Government have ventured to
redress a most intolerable grievance, and to perform
an act of common justice towards ourselves. Foreign
wurkmEn have been declared to be henceforth under
the protection of the Government and of the honour
of the French people. 'We are peculiarly rejoiced
at this declaration, beeause their conduct towards
the English operatives has been constituted one
of
the chief blots on the almost immaculate
character of the new Government of France.
It was an act of hostility which our
earnest sympathies and anxieties for the welfare of
France had not merited at their hands—the whole
tenor of the conduct of the
new French Government
r
producing an earnest desire for peace, and especially
ppeeaonpele wheEna
rgtlid. Tothis desire the English
pulsion of their fellow-countrymen by
the
the French
induced the English to doubtY theen sincerity of
protestations of the French Govern
expulsion was, in fact, an erniiment--that
tive to all the pacific demonstrations aett!.e nega-
LAIIARTINE. But that anomalous course M. DE
action is now at an end. The insult offered toE Rof
land is repaired by its voluntary cessation.
English workmen now in 'France are confided by
The
the Government to the honour of the French peo-
ple ; the Government consider themselves responsi-
ble for their protection. All further revolutionary
tendencies are at an end in Paris, the authority of the
Government is stabilitated, and the Provisional
Ministers are proceeding to exert their due influence
in promoting the welfare, and, as in this instance,
elevating the character of the people.
In Prussia the revolution is, apparently, over,
but its effects are becoming more developed and
extended. The conduct of the regenerated Go-
vernment is said to diffuse the most general satis-
faction. The movements of the various kingdoms
of Italy are of a very uncertain character. Liberal
institutions are daily gaining ground through-
out all Italy,
but the form of government which
each individual state may ultimately adopt is as yet
undecided. The Italians seem divided be-
tween an anxiety to assert their national
liberties and a desire of avoiding anarchy and dis-
turbance. For example, a letter from Chambery
gives the folio
ceedings
at
savvving extraordinary account of pro-
" Events succeed each other
here with astoundinoy g
rapidity. We were yesterday
republicans, and to-
a
we have been so long T
y we
hhave again become what
republic has not lived
more than twenty-four hours
,Savoy." In like
tnanner,Venice, after establishingln
that decision, and resolved to wait and watch the
progress of events. These uncertain proceedings are
so far satisfactory ; in short, theyindicate the real
wishes of the people to be the simult.ineons conservators
of peace and liberty. Their indecision is
occasioned by their fear of endangering the
one by too strenuously promoting the other. In
Lombardy, however, there is no such indecision.

Liberty at any cost is the demand of the Milanese,
and peace is, for a time, banished from northern
Italy. In the southern portion of the Peninsula the
POPE still pursues his liberal and beneficient career.
It is rumoured that he has consented to the expulsion
of the Jesuits from Rome, if not to their entire dis-
persion. If this rumour be correct, while it may
afford matter of rejoicing for political reasons,
yet certain reminiscences connected with the Society
of JEsus must render its dismemberment a matter of
regret. Those, for example, who are familiar with
the history of its founder, a history enthralling even
to those who differ from its creed, because it
portrays genius and enthusiasm sublimated by
sanctity, it constitutes a chapter of the chivalry of
Christianity. Those who are familiar with the history
of its founder, and the high inspirations under
which it was first established, cannot fail, on this ac-
count, to regret the dispersion of the Society of the
Jesuits, even though for other reasons such an event
may be much to be desired. But, whether this
particular r: port be correct or not, it is certain that
Pius is persevering in his laudaisle endeavours, and
animated by his example and his influence there is
little occasion to fear for the ultimate emancipation
of all Italy. The epitome of foreign intelligence
is not now so crowded with startling events as it
was a few weeks back, but it is equally or perhaps even
more satisfactory. For it is not of revolutions and
insurrections that we desire to hear, but of the
steady progress of liberty and unity among nations,
which, as LAMARTINE has truthfully declared, is far
more powerfully advanced by peaceful means and
moral influence, than by pitched battles.

Madrid journals of the 4th have arrived.
Many of the persons arrested since the enzeute of
the 6th March have been set at liberty. A strange
rumour has been in circulation in Madrid, that
CHRISTINA, alarmed at the progress of republicanism,
has entered into negotiations with the Carlists, and
had proposed that Queen ISABELLA should be di-
vorced from her husband, and should be married to
the Count DE MONTENOLIN, who, in that case, was
to be acknowledged as King of SPAIN in his own
right.
The Duke and Duchess of MONTPENSIER were
very coldly received at Vittoria.
The Ministers have, it is said, discovered a plot, set
on foot by French agents, to produce a movement in
the Basque Provinces, with a view to their incorpo-
ration with France.

MADRID BOLSA, APRIL 4.—The Three per Cents.,
22 ; Fire per Cents., 13k. Exchange
.on London,
43.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

PROCEEDINGS AT PARIS.

We have received the French papers of yesterday.

It is expected that the Afoniteur will shortly con-
tain decrees by which the Provisional Government
will take into its own hands the management of the
railways and of the Bank of France.
Reinforcements are being daily marched off to the
army of the Alps.
The National publishes a list of candidates for the
National Assembly, proposed to the army and navy
by the Central Committee of Paris.
Everything was quiet at Lyons according to the
last accounts.

The Sieele has an article urging the French Go-
vernment to seize the maritime provinces of Austria
in Italy.
The Moniteur publishes a decree appointing entre-
pets at Bordeaux, Rochelle, Rochefort, Colmar,
Mulhausen, and Rethel for the reception of bonded
merchandise under the new plan adopted by the
Government, for the purpose of giving facilities to
merchants wishing to deposit goods in these depots
to transfer the goods on simple endorsement of the
receipts.
The Moniteur also publishes additional instructions
to the commissaries in the departments, relative to
the general election, but they contain nothing poli-
tical, and have mere reference to the way in which
the ballot is to be taken.

It also contains a decree issued by the Minister of
the Interior regulating the uniform of the National
Guards both of Paris and the municipalities.
M. LEDRU RoLLIN has appointed four inspectors
attached to the direction of the National Museums,
for the purpose of restoring to those establishments
all objects of art " widely disseminated in the resi-
dences ci-derant Royal, and in any other edifice,"
and also for the purpose of uniting the museums ex-
isting in the departments with the central museum.
1 he following is from the Democratie Pacifique

"In some quarters of Paris a great number of tri-
coloured flags have been hung out of the windows.
Why so ? Because the tenants, refusing to pay the
quarter falling due in April, have forced their landlords
to give them a receipt without being paid. Many land-
lords were disposed to remit a part or even the totality
of the quarter's rent to their tenants, who found them-
selves in difficulties. But most generally it is those
tenants who are least in want who have excited their
neighbours, and dragged them into this turbulent coa-
lition.

" We confine ourselves to demanding from the tenants
who do not pay to use some other flag, if they wish to
celebrate their exploits. That flag is not intended to
shelter acts of 'violence behind its glorious folds."

The Legitimatists are, it is said, creating disorders
in the French provinces for the purpose of endea-
vouring to bring about the restoration of the Due DE
BORDEAUX.

In the neighbourhood of Paris " bands of vaga-
bonds" were attacking all the corn-mills, and com-
pelling the owners to discontinue their works—a
proceeding which was charged to the account of the
Legitimatists. In the southern departments further
demonstrations of that party have taken place. At
Besancon also disorders have occurred. In the city
just named the Commissioners of the Government
were compelled to withdraw by the populace, aided
by a portion of the municipal authorities and a por-
tion of the National Guard.

The situation of Bordeaux would appear to be par-
ticularly serious. M. CLEMENT THOMAS, the
newly-elected Colonel of the Ist Legion of the Pari-
sian National Guard, has been appointed Comminaire
Extraordinaire of Government to the city of Bor-
deaux (of which he is a native), in the hope that he
would be able to calm the effervescence that prevails
there.

Some slight disturbances took place yesterday at
Versailles. A parcel of poachers from ,Paris made
their way into the park in the day, and coolly pre-
pared to drag the ponds for fish, with which they are
plentifully stocked. The keepers immediately mus-
tered to prevent this robbery, but the fellows resisted,
and the National Guard had to be called out. At
length they were driven out of the park, the gates of
which were closed. They, however, threatened to
return with the Paris mob at their heels to burrs the
palace, a threat the accomplishment of which was
thought so probable that the National Guard remained
on duty all night in the palace. By the last accounts,
however, they had not yet made their appearance, and
the excitement created by the affair was subsiding.
M. DE RUMIGNY, one of the two of Louis
PHILIPPE'S Aides-de-Camp, who followed hint into
exile, returned to Paris two days ago.
Three of the Bonaparte family are now candi-
dates in Corsica, for seats in the National Assembly
—viz., Louis NAPOLEON ; NAPOLEON, son of JE-
ROME BONAPARTE ; and PIERRE, son of LUCIEN.
BOURSE.--PARIS, MONDAY, APRIL 10.
THREE O'CLOCH.—The firmness in the Rente conti-
nued to-day, both the Five per Cents. and Threes having
advanced 4f., the former closing at 58f., and the latter
at 41f. 50c. On the other hand, Bank
of France Shares
have fallen 30f., closing at 960 f. The cause of these
different results is said to be, that the holders of Bank
Shares, being alarmed at the intention attributed to
the Provisional Government of absorbing the Bank
of France (such is the term in use), and converting
it into a " Banque Nationale," have been selling
their shares and investing the proceeds in French
Rente ; hence the fall in the one and the advance in
the other. Something of this kind had undoubt-
edly taken place, but the decline in the Bank
I; I earl,sion
railways comparison,
B baanv Bank
hasadhnvaatrnh
advanced,
e andin the
n o
one supposes that the sellers of havec
e is, been
th a t
IS,hivaersesanisd
cannot be altogether attributed
the firmness in the Rente
fla'rhrserae
probably, •
to the cause thus assigned; it is in part, ouo of
making purchases in them; hence the infereesn
those changes which sometimes take place at the Bourse,
du TrAsor were nominally
'
at 43 per cent. loss, bat nothing was done in them; Bel-
gian Fives (1840) closed at 56f. or 2ff. higher; Ohliga-
tions do la Ville are 10f. lower, at 865 f. y
Shares the advance has been general. Rouen 15f. at
In Railway
3001., Havre 15f. at 160 f., Marseilles 12f. 50c. at 180 E,
Orleans 10f. at 4201., Bordeaux 701. 50c. at 390 f.,
Northern 6f. 25c. at 316 f. 25c., Lyons sf. at 305 f.,
k Strasburg lf, 25c, a; 3391, 75c. French gold is at not