Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-10-08
NAPOLEON AND LA rAYETTE.

in accounting for the odious and understandable
liberty he has taken with the name of La Fay
cite, in his viii. Too long INDUCED by the
French Ministry with opportunities of retrieving
his losses and defeats, at the most unheard of sa-
offices ~ the country, and always without sue.
cess, he would at that moment when the game
was utterly hopeless, have stakcd every thing
upon the cast of die, and overwhelmed France
in irretricvablc ruin. The allied army flushed
with victory, were approaching the Capital
Were they To be met with the sword or the olive
branch? was tho question. Bonaparte eagcrl,
decided for the first, himself a fugitive and the
once powerful army of France reduced to 4
skeleton! he demanded dissolution of the pow.
ers of the government, and to- be invested Will
the supreme dictatorship. The ministers, the
peers aud the representatives all saw the rash
ness of this proposal, but hesitated to declare
their opposition. But La Fayette, then Mem.
Der of the Deputies, could not be silent at pro-
position 10 annihilate the liberties OF France
The Deputies had assembled while the ministers
were engaged in the discussion of this portentous
question. La Fayette, (says the historian) had
received intelligence Of the subject which en-
gagged their attention, and which had been so
repeatedly discussed in the private assemblies at
the palace. He was sufficiently experienced i'm
the manoeuvres of revolutionary times to know
that no time was to be lost and that all depend
ed on striking the first blow. He therefore con-
trived that the chamber should meet at an earli-
H
ing the chair, he Immediately presented himself
at the tribune. He had hitherto mingled will,
none oil the parties, but had stood aloof as If he
were conscious of disgrace in belonging to the
government of the usurper. His appearance
therefore excited great surprise, and profound
silence reigned in the assembly, while he spoke
to the following effect. N0rfoM Herald,
''Gentlemen, for the first time during many
wears you hear voice, which the old friends of
~ mo, vol
danger, and you alone can save it.
The sinister reports which have been circu-
lated during the last two days, unbappily
confirmed. This is the moment TO rally round
the national colors--the ,ri-colored standard of
1739-the standard oflibertv, equality, and pub
lie order. 1t is you alone who can HOW protect
the country from foreign attacks, and internal
dissentons. 1t is you alone who can secure the
Independence and honor of France.
''Allow veteran in the sacred cause of free
dom, and stranger to tie spirit of faction, To
submit to you some resolutions, which the dam
gers o: the present crisis detnand.-i am assured
tha you will feel the necessity ofalopting them:
&C Art. L. The chamber declares that the in
70 cndence of the nation is menaced.
eli. The chamber declares its sittings per-
manent All attempts to dissolve it, shall he
considered high treason. whatsoever shall rem
der himself culpable of such an attempt shall be
considered traitor to his country, and con-
iemncd as SUCH
g Ill. The army OF the line, ard the national
guards. who have fought, and still fight, for the
liberty, the Independence, and the territory of
France, have meried well of the country.
CIV. The minister of the interior is invited to
assemble the principal officers of the Partisan
national guard, iii order to consult on the means
of providing ii with arms, and of completing this
corps of citizens, whose trie patriotism and zeal
offer sure guarantee for the liberty, prosperity,
and tranquility of the capital, and for the invio
liability of the national representatives.
'sV The minister of war, of foreign affairs, of
police, and of the interior. invited to repair
to the hall of the assembly,
We quote from Kelys History of the Wars in
Europe. He proceeds ,hus:-
These bold and alarming resolutions met with
no opposition. The cOurt-party was taken by
surpiise, and overwhelmed with CONSERVATION. |
The a'iding members were with their master,
ard tnc others had not sufficient courage TO face
tine l.opending storm.
After an observation from NJ. Flaurergues,
that sthe minister ought to be summoned without
delay, and required 10 communicate every par |
ticuar Of the defeat which the army had sustain |
Cd, and the real designs of Napoleon ,p-and a |
ltb"tdcr rcnark from another member g that |
IN a few m0menis t',2 chamber might be dissuly- |
81. and that they might lose. bv their DELAY, AN |
opportunity winch might not he rcgained n--thc |
propositions were ~. carried by acclanation OK
cert the fourth. This was. for the present, sus
pended, as conveying inyidous distinction
between the troops 81 the line and the national
Gaaras
= NATIONAL guard were no sooner apprlscd
q; 'ic fourth proposition. than they avaied
themselves Of the hint. They immediately as
aPmhied ut their respective rendezvous and |
pjcquet was despatched from each arrondisse-
raert 20 do duty at the hall Of the deputies and
"a protect the national representatives.
The resolutions of tue deputies were trans
r.tcd To- The chamber of peers, and were adop-
ted af'c! snort discussion, without amendment.
The speedy termlleaipn of Napolcons author
i'v was now obvious TO all but himself, He saw,
in these measures, only Me expression of the
fears which the deputies entertained lest he
should dissolve them, and ecstablish his former
des ,otisn; and he believed ti,at, when these APP
prchcnsons were removed, they would readily
assist him in endeavouring to save the country.
After some time a secretary announced the
approach of the emperor, who was preceded by
his three brothers. All the assembly rose.
He sauted them respectfully, but with some
embarrassment they then resumed their seats,
without waiting for any command and pro-
found silence succeeded.
Napoleon attempted to speak, but his voice
stifled by agitation, and his hand, which he
The distress unier which I've lahoured, affected
his audience, and produced a favorable impress
sion on his behalf