The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-20

The great problem Of Irish politics is about 10 be
solyed-perhaps in blood, perhaps peaceably. One
thing, however, is certan-that the union will soon
be repealed, by either the sword, or by timely con-
cession. "a ga N
FRENCH AFFAIRs-THE NATIONAL CONVENTION,
-Ihe national convention OF France was to meet
on the fourth OF May, and accordingly that inpor-
tant body OF men in the full tide of experiment,
either successful or unsuccessful The newspaper
press in this metropolis, and in the neighboring
cities. have been specializing a good deal on the
probable issue of the proceedings of the French
volution, and the French convention. Some of the
journals in this city, which expected nothing but
blood and murder at their elections, have very be-
nevolently postponed those conclusions till the
meeting of the convention, at which they predict
those scenes will take place. The Ne,c York Err
press, the Commercial advertiser, and one or two
other papers, appear indulge in these predictions
of dependency on the movements of the French
convention. The Tribune, since the defeat of the
socialists in Paris, has given up all speculation,
and now contents itself with calling all those who
don't believe its views about Fourierism, such
names as are classical at the Five Points and Cor
aers Hook. In Philadelphia, and other cities, the
independent press generally have high hopes of the
success of the French convention.
This convention, now in session. is composed OF
nine hundred members, from all the departments
OF France, elected by constituency of probably
five or SIX millions OF voters. Our own opinion is,
from personal knowledge of the French Of the
present day, and from a comparison of their poll
teal intelligence with that which prevails in
> England and the United States, that they will be
more successful than their detractors of the Eng.
lish press, or their feeble mtators in the Ameri-
can press, give them credit for The French OF
the present day have shown themselves,i in great
and important election, as capable of conducting
their affairs as We are in this country. In fact the
leading men throughout that republic, have been
educated in political action for the last thirty
years. Although there were only two hundred
thousand voters scattered throughout France un-
der the old regime yet the practice has spread in
teligence among the great mass of the people, and
has been the means of producing the quiet in the
elections in Paris. During the existence of the
old republic, when France contained only twenty
five millions of people, their first convention con-
sisted of twelve hundred members, all of whom
were utterly Ignorant of Legislative action, or the
orderly proceedings which should govern such a
body. At the present day it is altogether differ
ent
Another objection to the convention is, that it
Is composed of only one body and that they will
probably give constitution to France of similar
character, with directory or president but not
of two Legislative bodies, like the Senate and House
of Representatives in this country. This plan is
objected to mpractcable, and as being likely to
Lao 20 ~ L:.,1,
atve bodies, Is true, are divided into two cham
bers but it is mere paper division. The real ac-
ton of the masses of the people of the United
States springs from the representatives of the two
parties-the democrats and their antagonists-and
this principle of action must prevail in all repub-
lies, and will prevail in the French republic A
single Legislative body, if measure passes through
a certain number of committees, 80 as to prevent
hasty action is just good for practical purposes
and perhaps better, than two bodies, as we have
them organized in this country. The organization
of the Legislature in two chambers, is mere tech
nical imitation of the English system, and origi-
mated in the social distinctions brought here by the
feudal principles OF past ages, between the aris-
tocracy and the rest of the community.
We might enlarge on this subject at great length
but these brief views enough We have full
confidence in the success of the French conven-
ton, and in their ability to establish complete
and comprehensive government for France, with
only one chamber. 1t is true, the great mass of
the republic will be divided into two parties, and
their representatives will assume the same divi-
sions as we have in this country; but single
chamber and single executive will probably an
swer the purpose in France, as great republic of
Europe, better than any other form Of government
She is in no danger from coalition of monarchs
She is now the greatest power on the face of the
earth She has population Of thirty-fve millions
has standing army of half million, and able to
send two millions of armed men, at any moment
TO the frontiers She has the largest and most eff
Gent navy in the world, with the exception of tina,
of England. Her press is free and her people are
united, and around her, from the Pyrenees to the
Alps, from the Alps to the Rhine, and from the
Rhine to the ocean, she is enclosed with bul
wark Of safety, in consequence of the revolutions
that are going on in those kingdoms. England it
frightened at her position, and the English press,
the English ministers, or the English Parliament,
dare not excite the popular feeling of France or
her hostility. Let England, at any moment
show disposition to cross the track of France in
her foreign policy, and France, united, energetic
and powerful, could, in one week, transport an
army of two hundred thousand democrats to hel
shores, who would fight over again the battle OF
Hastings and conquer the descendants of the An.
glo-Saxons and Normans of the present day. We
should not be at all surprised before year is pass
ed over, unless the English ministry and aristo-
crazy take care how they indulge in their political
opposition, to see a French army entering London
and procaming republic throughout the United
Kingdom.
ARRIVAL OF GENERAL ScoTr.-We understand
that committee from New Jersey have chartered
steamboat, to wait the arrival of the Petersburg
the vessel in which General Scott embarked al
Vera Cruz for this port. When that vessel arrives
he will be prevailed upon to enter the steamboat
an' be conveyed in her to the point nearest the re-
sidence of his family. We also learn, that as soor