Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-06-08


the mob of Paris to overawe aud dissolve the
French National Assembly. We unite in this
feeling as heartily as any one, but we confess
that the events of the 18th of May, and partc-
uarly what was permitted to occur within the
Assembly itself, fill us with doubts and appre-
hension as to its ability to fulfil its high mis-
sion. We know that the situation of the AS
sembly at the time was peculiar one. We
can understand how disheartening must have
been the imbecility and cowardce manifested
by its presiding officer, and how little 1t could
expect, at the outset Of the disturbance, Of as
sistance and protection from the National
Guard led on and controlled by traitor like
Courtais. But what strikes us as remarkable
in the whole proceeding is, that, in an assem-
bly, of nearly eight hundred persons, compr-
sing, il is to be presumed a fair average of the
ability and courage OF France, and having be-
sides many eminent ard experienced legisla-
tors in its midst, not voice was raised, nor
measure suggested, for putting down the tu-
multi, and asserting The rights and indepen-
dence of this great Representative body. We
can understand why the Dupins and the Berry
ers, and even Odillon Bmrot, with their known
repugnance to the present revolutionary rule ),
should not be particularly forward to expose
themselves on this OCCASION. But that the
friends of 4 Republic, whs desire TO see it,
founded on true constitutional basis, should
suffer riotous mob to Ireak into the Cham
ber and dispossess then of their seats, with
scarcely a word of renonstrance to the intru-
dcrs, is indeed remarkable fact and deeply toI
be regretted. The correspondents of the Lon
don papers and some o the Paris journals, we
perceive, refer to the curse of LAMARTINE, at
! place or name. As ole,of the Executive Com
mittee he could not hare been unacquainted
with the objects Of the movement, covered up
though they were with the pretence of pre-
senting petition for bland. lie could not
have been ignorant of tn, character of Courtas,
and that he (C.) az wei as Louis Blanc, and
Caussidlere, the Project q police, were deeply
Implicated in the plans ofue conspirators. lie
necessarily had information of the force and
! purposes of the mob not within the reach of
the mass of the Assembly. 1t was clearly
ths1sipgcshis duty, at the commencement of
II ihg, to have communicated the facts
WITHIN his knowledge to that body and to have
suggested some means d counteractng the
trcachery of the above mined persons. And
yet it is stated that he made no cominunca-
ton or suggestion whate'er-that he sat per.
iecty silent during the whole emeutc, and af-
iorded no indication of tn, stand he intended to
take until, the demonstration by the National
Guards having for some lime continued, it be-
came more and more certain that the friends
of order would rally to its rescue. He thcr
left the Assembly in company with Ledru
Rollin-mounted his horse and proceeded to
the Hotel de Vile to prevent the formation o
new Provisional Government as the conspira
tors threatened.
The merit of putting down the emeut
II lIcIclOIc, 81 VIC ulSCONSi, D'IoiS
3 not to the Executive Committee or the Minis
: ters appointed by it, who scandalously failed i
their duty on this occasion, nor to the Nationa
Assembly, which suffered itself to he uample
a upon, with scarcely show of resistance, bu
to the noble body Of men composing the Ma
tional Guard of Paris, which under clrcun
II H. IN thpi
. relief, without orders, without leaders, in pan
!. deprived of their arms, and in face of tn
5 treacherous and counteracting projects OF Coul
, tais and Caussidiere. Ii is to the middling clas
: of Paris, to the intelligent and well dispose
bonrgeoisie of the city, and not to the Minis
c ters or the Assembly, that we are indebted it
the preservation Of even the shadow OF Gov
ernment in France, and that the wolst scene
v 4 of the reign of Terror were not revived in ii
n persons Of the Banquis, the Barbes, the Lou
: Blancs and the Courtais, who claim to be u
disciples and admirers, as they most ccrtan
d are the legitimate SUCCESSORS of Marat and RI
y bespierre.
I'll It's too short period since the convcnn
le of the National Assembly TO Judge impartial
'e of its characteristics or to determine the val,
- and sufIiclency of the materials composing
$ Thus far, however, it has given little prom
* of the energy, ability, and fertility OF rcsourc
Ie which the times demand, and which cris
/ like the present seems naturally to call fort
to No one as yet has appeared in its tribune of u
common siatesmanlikc powers,-no one th
reminds you Of the lights of former age
y the Mirabeaus, the Mouniers, the Lameths, Il
a Banaves of the States Gencral-of Guadct,
~ Vergniaud, of Gensonne, and others OF u
Legislative Assembly. So far at least as
'o rccen, proceedings are an index, there seer
a wanting some great leading mind TO give
Il, rcction and consistency to the will Of this bod
;. and to furnish the assurance Of It's competen
to guide the vessel of state amidst the qu
/, sands which surround j, into the long soug
n, haven Of Constitutional law, liberty and pcac