The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-06-15
HISTORY OF REVOLUTIONARY EURoTE


The great and good LANARTtNn, whose genius
has guided thus far, and it is hoped will continue TO
guide, tho policy and destncs Of the French Repub
lie, on rcsignng to the National Assembly the pro-
visional authority with which the Revolution had
invested him, addressed to that body Il report con-
corning his policy as minister for Foreign Affairs
That report unfOlds with the ego and hand Of mas
terly genius TIE true policy and mission Of France
among the nations of Europe, Illustrating it by &
rapid brilliant and thrilling sketch Of the great
outonary events on the Continent, as connected
with the movements and policy of that Republic.
For the general observer Of his own times the re-
port is more valuable than any other document ve
have seen as permanent compendium for present in
struction md future reference; presenting to the
eye panoramic view in the utmost possible clear
cent history of Europe, of which every man is
ashamed to be ignorant. We therefore extract that
section nearly entire and recommend it to universal
pcrusal and preservation
CITIZEN REPRESENTATIVE OF TIE Pro
PLE.-Thcre are two kinds of revolutions in
The former consist in conQurstS and the over.
turning of nationalities and empires, the lat
ter in change of institutions. To the first
war is nccessary-to the second peace is most
dear peace, the parent of labor and liberty
Sometimes, however the notifications which
Il people operates within its own breast be-
come an occasion Of dis1uicuClc and aggrcs-
sion against it Oil the part Of other nations,
Of other governments, or become q cause Of
irritation and violent shocks among neighbor.
ing states. A law of nature wills that ycri-
tics shall be contagious, and that ideas shall
tend to find their own level, Ike water. In
this latter case revolutions participate, so to
speak, in the two natures Of the movements
which they have defined; they arc pacific
like revolutions Of ideas, bat they may be
forced to have recourse to arms, like reyolu-
tons Of territory; their foreign attitude
ought TO correspond with these two neccssi-
tics in their situation they are inodensive,
but still they exist; their policy may be
characterized by these two word5-arnicd d.
plomacy!
y ~
. The alternative was to declare RI.
publican peace and French fraternity TO all
nations; TO show respect for governments,
laws, characters, manners wills, territories, |
and nations; to raise very high but with a
friendly hand, the principle of Independence (
and Democracy throughout the world and
say to nations, without forcing or hurrying
events: :" We do not arm the new idea with |
fire and sword, like barbaranS; we only arm !
it with its own briliancy. We impose on |
no people forms or limitations premature or
perhaps incompatible with their nature. But ,
if the liberty of any par: of Europe lights up
from ours, If PROSTATE natonaities if invaded |
rights, if legitimate and depressed ndepon-
denotes spring up, constitute themselves by
their own hands. enter into the democratic
family Of nations, and make an appeal to the
defence of rights, to the conformity of insti-
tutions, then France is there Republican
France is not only the country, she is the
soldier of the democratic principle for the
future ~ (Checrs.)
1t is this last principle, citizens, that the
Provisional Government thought it their duty
to adopt unanimously, until the nation, EN-
bodied in you, should take in hand its own
lestinies. What have been the results on
The Continent Of those seventy two days of
this policy of armed diplomacy? You know
.hcm, and Europe contemplates their accom-
with an astonishmcnt that has more
Of admiration than fear. All Italy, previous
y reused in her patriotism by the democratic
md Italian mind of Plus TX started into ac-
ion successfully, by the rebound of the pop {
liar triumph at Paris. Treasured by our
firm and frank disavowal Of all ambition on
he part Of France, she passionately embraced
our principles, and confidently advanced !
5oward future of independence and liberty,
n which the French principle will be her t
,lIy. Sicily rose against the domination of {
Naples. She first claimed her constitution.
Irritated by refusal, she heroicaly rcconquer- {
Ut her soil and her citadeIs. Tardy conces- |
ions no longer appcased her--she demanded c
! complete scparation-she convokcd Aor own {