The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-08-22
Paris.
Correspondence Of the Herald

Dedth % me Duke o. OHeans-Ihe Succession-Ihe
Regenoy-Chaos coming.
The death of the Duke Of Orleans is an event of
the highest Importance, as well in reference to the
tranquility OF Europe as in regard to the destnies
OF France. 1t opens wide field for political spec
uaton and dangerous eventuaties.
The Dukes marriage, which took place about
tive years ago, was thought at the time to afford a
strong presumption of an uninterrupted succession
to the throne, in the elder branch of the Orleans
Dynasty. The successive birth of two princes,
fruits OF this marriage, the Count de Paris and the
Duke de Charities, fortified tbs hopes of France and
reduced the enemies of the New Dynasty to des-
pair. But how mysterious are the WAYS of Proyi-
dence. 1t now turns out that this marriage and the
birth of these heirs to the throne, which gave great
present and prospective strength to the Government
and to the country, were most unfortunate events
Had the Duke died without heirs no greater impor.
lance would have been attached to the event. in
political point OF vlew than might have arisen from
the tact OF his being supposed TO possess superior
talents to his brother, the Duke de Nemours. But
as he leaves two sons, II is more than probable that
France VIII be exposed 10 the hazards of a long
Regency. Louis Philippe is now seventy years Of
age, and as he has already ouved by several years
the average duration of life in his ancestral family
his GREER must in all probability soon be closed
AS soon as the Chambers are dehnltively organized
bill will be presented, by which the eventual re-
gency Will devove upon the late Dukes brothers,
In the order of primogeniture Now regen-
cies, under ordinary circumstances, and in the
hands OF men OF ordinary talents are essentially
and inrlnslcaly weak. The accidental possession
of authority never commands that degree of respect
which Is necessary TO the wei working of the chief
executive branch III any system of government
Power, TO be duly respected in mon rch.es must
have the double advantage Of ar-guiar and rghtful
origin, and the clement 81 durability. Under the
anticipated regency of the Dske dr mous, it is to
be appehended that the soveTslgny of faction un-
der the name OF the sovereignty OF the nation will
overshadow the throne, and create foreign wars or
bring on internal confusion and anarchy Should
the regent be able to render himself popular bv
giving to France the benetis o efficient but mild
government he will, in all probability be forced to
become usurper, even if he should be destitute of
ambition. Respect for legitimacy is not so great in
France to induce the French people give up the
advantages which they may derive from an eff.
Gent and wise ruler to take the risk of new reign
under youthful sovereign The national will can
he appealed to, and where is the man in the exer-
else OF monarchical authority who would abandon
hs post against the legtmately expressed wishes of
the great body of the peoplel This is the view of
the future fortunes OF France which is the most TO
be DIRE AIDED.
On the other hand, should the democratic and mi
litary spirit of the French people get the ascenden
cy, under weak regency, and war be brought
about as consequence, II is but natural TO suppose
that both regent and dynasty will bereprobated and
the sccpTe be again placed in the hands of some
fortunate military chief.
lnus IN whatever point OF slew we look a. the
future, there Is but too much reason 10 apprehend
that we are not very remote from another exciting
and eventtul period OF history.
In rational view of coming events, there APP
pears to be little probability Of restoration of The
ola Douihon dynasty. Those who received benefits,
honors and wealth. under the relSns of Louis the
18th, Charles the 10th, and their descendants enter
tim very sangue hopes Of the return OF the ancient
regene In the person of Henry the 9Th But this Is
hoping against reason and the teachings Of expert
ence. AS well may we hope IN the United States
tor the restoration OF Ohm Quincy Adams or Martin
Van Buren, A restoration in France everybody
must see would enure to the exclusive benefit of
few ancient families. whose devotion to fallen
race would give them irresistible titles to almost
exclusive power; precisely as it would be with us
in America, If we were TO replace repudiated Pre-
sident again in the chair. Those who have shown
most devotion to fallen President during his re.
tirement, and those who have already received
marks Of his confidence and favor the only per-
sons who can desire a Presidential restoration.
The people will tall their movementsto effect
such an object are created by personal views and
interests So it is here; and the exerlions of the
interested few in both cases, however persevering
and well directed, will never excite the sympahes
command the aid of the great popular masses.
Hope is the handspring OF all great political move
ments, both in regard to the active exerons of ind
viduals and the sympathislng assent OF the masses
Who has anything TO hope from Carllst restoration
except few longing aspirants to taste again the
sweets OF power, so badly used-again to fatten on
treasury pap and bask in the sunshine of courtly
ease France, as a country, has nothing to hope
from the sway of Carlism-she has tried t,witness-
ed its foles It's corruptions, Its exclusiveness and
Its imbecity
The same political law which goes to preventre
torations in monarchies will be found still more inn
perous In the exclusion of Presidential resoratons
IN popular governments. position which cannot
be held by aPresldent in possession of all the APP
pliances OF power, sustained by an organized and
devoted party can never be reganed by the efforts,
however well concerted of friends whose objects
are palpably selfish The present never returns upon
the past; i strives for what it lmagnes-or the un-
tried, for the unknown. The political wheel of for
tune has no travelling hospital in its train to bring
forward those, who are bruised by Its revolutions
Presidents and dynasties left to die where they
fall
very deep feeling pervades the public mind that
the blow which the Orleans dynasty has suffered in
the extraordinary death of the Kings eldest and
most promising son, Is a provldentlal forewarnlng
OF its approaching overthrow. The Duke de Berry
was assassinated on the 18th of the month. That
accident foreshowed the overthrow, and, in fact
was the cause of the fall of the Bourbon dynasty.
Ferdinand of Orleans was violently killed on the
thirteenth, on the road calledth rerah The Duke
de Berry left an infant heir to the throne, ard so
does Ferd inand of Orleans II Is remarkable that
no sovereign of France has inherited the throne
from his father since Louis The Fourteenth.
IL is thought by many that the wiser course would
be to confide the Regency 10 the mother, the
Dutchess of Orleans. Certain u /. that better
support for the maintenancs o ihe irene might be
hoped from an appeal TO the chivary Of the French
nation, which would thus bt made by creaIing the
Dutchess Regent than from rs respect for the prn-
cipes Of legitimacy God only knows what is really
best. Statesmen are as Indifferent to the lessons OF
the past they are blind to the future. As the
world goes, they everywhere to govern for the
present and for themselves. II the Duchess were
ter, of course: M Guzot opposes this project; thus
the destiny of nations is made depend the per-
sonal policy of Minister. Thus it ever has been,
and ever will be.