The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-23

TO the opposition. He blazed away at them
without fear and without remorse. He attack
ed the policy Of Intervention, and also OF Nom
Intervention. He moved about his scythe
into this and that opinion. this and that feel
ing. this and that policy, always with fearless
ness, always with power. Why do they en-
dure this" said l. "Why do they not, as
usual, interrupt the speaker 7" First, Mr. Ber-
ryer belongs to the past. His words will do
no harm. Second, Mr.. Berger has splendid
voice, and certain resistless grandeur of
manner. But he was interrupted. 81 tell
you" said Berger, there can be no inter-
yention in Spain" Pourquoi y asked pip
ing voice in the centre gudche. "Pourquoi :"
shouted Berger with scorn and energy. Then
was movement general. Parceque," con-
tinued Berger, and then paused. The agi-
tation in the Chamber suspended him for a
moment. Because" resumed the speaker,
all reasons for so intervening involve conse-
quences which you will unhesitatingly reject.
Because what this ministry desires is impossi-
bic in Spain. Because what the opposition
wishes can neuer be accomplished. You asked
me the pourquoi, you have my three par
ccgues." After pause, he said, I" am now
going to develope these truths. shall wound
your ideas, but that's another reason for hear
Ing me with attention" And so he went on,
developing truths and wounding ideas. The
interruptions soon became very frequent. He
called Don Carlos by the recognition of
Charles V. Said voice in the gauchc-" We
know nothing Of Charles " any more than
of Louis XIX. or of Henry "" Mr.. Berger
went on, When Charles v. shall be trium-
plant" tremendous interruptions, )-"When
Charles v. shall be"-here the confusion had
grown into what the French call un bruit epou-
paniable. The President rang his bell inces-
sanity. recalled certain sittings of the Con-
venton in the old Revolution. The minister
Of public instruction arose, and in his place
declared, with emphasis, that such words
could not come forth from that tribune. 1--WE
know no Charles "" said he. g We have to
do only with Don Carlos" Ell bien," says
Berger. :" care not about words. When
Don Carlos'--and here the satisfactory
CALCULATIONS Of All, ali, enfn," were muir
INJURED throughout the assembly, and the ora
tor, Struggling Significantly his shoulders, went
on. He went on to new denunciations and
to new interruptions. "Silencew exclaimed
Berger "l'll stand here till am heard.
have ideas to speak forth, and will speak
them !" and then he placed himself into a
logged, obstinate position, which declared
emphalically, no budging hence. Silence was
at length restored, and Berryer continued. A
little man on distant seat in the centre inter-
rupted him, saying" Mails non, ce nest pas
celia, ce nest pas celia :" Come down to the
tribune, sir, if yon wish to speak, shouted
Berger, but, for Gods sake, do not interrupt
me thus" To one quite green in French po-
litical assemblies, the scene was altogether
extraordinary. In what is called an Interrupt
fion, every member moves with discomfort in
his seat losses up impatiently his hands,
mutters something to himself. his neighbor, or
the speaker some ten or twenty rise up,
passions flare in the eye, the President rings
loudly his bell, the sworded huissiers cry out
=" silence, Messieurs, silence;" and the ora
merely sips by way of diversion, some sugar
ed water from the glass at his right hand. Mr..
Berger spoke two hours. His voice con-
tinued clear and powerful. His gesture was
chiefly with his right hand, and not unlike the
sledgc- hammer style of Webster. His posi-
ton and manner were full Of vigor and indie
pendence. So much for the vehicle. His
thought was dramatic. in very high degree.
His ideas were condensed into the smallest
possible quantity Of words. His speech sound
ed WELL and il reads well. Its delivery, right
in the face of that opposition, and those Doc
trinaires, seemed to me proof of no ordinary
moral courage. When it was concluded, Mr..
Berryer descended into the eTtreme right. Sc
veral gentlemen Of that section felicitated him,
and Lamartine shook him warmly by the
hand The whole assembly arose. Several
went into the conversation rooms. Many
gathered in groups, gesticulating violently.
The hall, for fifteen minutes, was all in hub
bub. One of the huissiers in sombre livery,
placed fresh glass of sugared water at the
tribune. The President rang his bell to or
der Cries were frequently heard of en- place,
Mcssieurs, en- place; and looking down into
the tribune, saw, leisurely leaning upon its
desk, little, thin, bronze-complexioned man,
in black dress coat and white cravat His
face was rather solemn and impressive. The
brows projected, and from light falling down
through the chambers single window in the
ceiling, cast sombre shadows over all his fea-
lures This was Mr.. Guizot, the author,
amongother works, Of thirty volumes of French
history lately made member Of the Acade-
nv of Moral and Political Sciences, Minister
of Public Instruction, and Chief of the Doc
trinaires.
at is but seven years." he slowly began,
still leaning Familiarity on the tribune, :" it is
but seven years since, that the last honorable
speaker and myself entered this chamber he
to sustain the ministry Of NJ DE Polignac, | to
batter ii down, tires bien. tres bien, muttered
twenty voices he to oppose the Address of
the 22l, to support it, NEW acclamations.l
We have both of US been, since that time, and
we are still to-day, true to our origin and to
nrr nrincinles What he did seven wears aoO,