The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-09-12
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
C(I~H
7 II e z Il 7 " b o H..-..No. w.
FRENCH REVOLUTION;
EMpERoRSHTP OF BONAPAR7E.
(Coneluded.
(Coaeluded.)


A party, in this country, who, under tie ap-
pellation of itrons government, mean limited
monarchy, always connect their wiihes upon
this fubisG, with the forms and principles of the
Brtiih contribution. From the many excellent
opportunities which the French neglected ofrei-
torirg defpotiiui, well as from the coDfequen-
ces which would have reiuited had fuch been
the national with, it may not then be abfurd to
conclude that the ufurpation Of Bonaparte does
not proceed from inclination to re-effabliih
Gefpotifin./ But it has been ftated that one or
the other Of three caufes, induces the French to
fubmit to the power of Bonaparte. And have
endeavoured to thew that it is neither the iirt,
nor iecond. Il follows then that it mutt be the
third lenfe of the neceiiity of temporary,
iIrong, military government from the enmity
OF i1rrounding Rates, and the as yet usfettled
Rate of the interior revolutionary fernent
national langour, kind of tediurn, with for
Tepofe after the gigantic ftruggles of the re-
evolutionary CONTEXT. The nation neeps found
ly after its Herculean efforts; Bonaparte a.
lone watches at his pot. He has connect
ed the greatness of France with his own
afurpation but it mutt be confeHed that
under his aufpices, the nation has arrived
TO an uIiexampled pitch of power and profperi-
~. While fccure in their mighty refources
again.e all external attack, and by the ftrength
and vlsfl3acc of the government, from profcrip-
ton ard bloodihed, the effects Of internal COM
motions, the nation appears 70 have funk into
alethargY. which does not mark, or is ;ndffer-
ent to the means by which their great chief has
acquired thefe bleffings for them. Provided the
bloody rage of faction is chatfed, and tranquil
iity refored, they feem to give thenlfelves no
trouble to enquire whether Eonaparte has modi-
hed the government, according to his own
whia,, or their permanent happinefs. The con-
tul, taking advantage of thefe circumstances, has
endeavoured TO render hereditary in his family,
1r,dr ,at hat, Il
thofe cautionary regulations which were intend
ed to be temporary, and he has bribed or
awed the conitituted authorities to legalize and
ianction his uiurpaton. Too, juftly diigutted
with revolutions, the French view their preient
fate of things, although it has been unexpeet-
eddy ftolen upon them, as inaller evil than
recurrence to and renewal of thofe fcenes of
horror from which they have been 70 lately ref
pited. Dazzled by the fpendour of Bona
parties alnof unrivaed achievements, his 60
yernment, perhaps, is viewed with complacen-
cy, if the forms by which he rules are not admit
red. But heroes of Marengo and Aboukir, are
not hereditary and when Bonaparte ihall have
ended his mortal career by the hand of violence
or of nature, bis imperial Invitations will crum-
bic into inhgnihcance, fafter than his body into
duff. The forms of the republic will Dc rrfored,
and profting by pat experience, it will be " or
SaniZed in tranquility" This view, which 70
isnguiaely indulge, is infinitely coufoling to the
friend of humanity. 1t holds out the prof
pect of boodlefs change. Reforms always
dehrable revolutions ever 10 be dreaded. In
iuch an event the pallions of civilized fociety
will no. again be emitted on the fide of tyrants
The nation will be completely prepared for the
peaceful triumph of principle; and the fur
rounding ftates of Europe, warned by woeful ex-
peience, will not feel inclination or intereft in
coaleicing 70 reftore an upRart emperor, or
muihrooT legion of honor. The change from
- y II 4 e.
den or bloody, but gradual and peaceable ; not
a mobbifl1 revolution, but a phofophic reform;
1t will be flower but furer and it will come
when the circ unfances of the times call for it,
as they now in fome meaiure, call for the go-
vernment OF Bonaparte or fome fuch man. IF
tine preceding remarks be correct, the French
revolution is not at ali end (; but the mot bloo-
ssy part has paf1ed away; feveral grand eras
have {ucceeded each other the lait will be the
final emancipation of TIE nation, fome time
during the nineteenth century. | cannot admit
that ! am here falling into the prophetic mania
which have juft condemned. The revoluti-
onary wheel has been in motion fifteen years
It has had feveral paufes, but rolled on again
therefore think it precipitate and premature 70
conclude that it has now ftopt forever.
But If this terrible coDvullion this political
earthquake, which fhook the civilized earth to
its centre, while its extremites trembled has fl
naily rumbled into Ilence, by the weight and in
Huence Of one of its own ftupendous produeti-
ens if the French revolution has actually end
ed in the defpotifm of Bonaparte-what will
France, in particular, and the general caufe of
liberty and OF mankind; lofe, or gain by it? In
order to afceitain this point, it will be necef1ary
briehy to compare the fate of France, under
the lar of the Capets, with it's fituation under
the hrf of the Bonapartes. Jurifts have long
hnce made compendious divition of the natu-
raj, civil and political rights of man--lite, liter
II, and, bJobsrty. Theft rights are completely
fecured only in the United States; Great Bri-
tain ranks next in the fcale of freedom. But the
queftion before us, is not which government of
the earth NOT eHeetually fecureS thefe rights,
but whether they were beft fechred by the GO
verDncnt to which Louis 6 was born, or, by
thofe inaitutions which Napoleon !. has eta
blifhed. Among others, ofinferior conf quence,
there feem to be fix points Of companion, by
which the two governments may be Judged. /.
The origin of the two defpotifns. 2. The ma
tire of the nobility. 8. The hierarchy, or
churcli-eftablifhment 4. The administration
Of infice. s. The financial arrangements. G.
The feudal fytem. FrG, as TO the origin of
the two defpotifns. And here mult premifs
that by the word origin do not mean the ac-
ftf4I, regl origin of l,uf the