Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-04-20
From the PHILADELPHIA Public Ledger.
NafiOnaE Claaracfer.


National Character.
The different revolutions in France, from 1879 to
the present day. and the popular disturbances and GO
vernmental changes of England during the same Pc
riod, afford important lessons upon the influences
which form national character. The revolution of
1859 found France divided into two classes, the OPP
pressors and the oppressed The first the royal
family, the nobility and the clergy who owned nearly
all the land, and were exempt from taxation The
nobility frivolous, lcenliOus and arrogant; The
clergy little better. The Church, by Its mis-
chevious character political institution. and by
the deprayed manners of its higher clergy, had reused
a host of talent, which, confoundng the institution
and its professors with Christianity wrote in support
of infdelity; and the nobility and clergy adopted
these doctrines excuses for their depravities.
The people, consisting of the agricultural peasantry,
the artisans people in trade, paid all the taxes, were
generally destitute Of education, and were treated
contemptuousy by the nobility. In this condition of
the public mind the revolution of 1880 broke out like
a hurricane. At first appearances were promising.
But the nobility and clergy abandoning the country,
and bad men becoming popular leaders, the people,
suddenly let loose from the tyranny OF ages proceeded
to settle long account of vengeance and filled their
country with crime and blood. The military fespot-
ism of Napoleon followed. But il a despotlsm Of
genius and high aspiration, producing order, law in
dnstry education, improvement, progress. The res
toration of the Bourbons in 1914 found the French
very different, far superior people to the French OF
1880 a period of struggle between two kings OF
despotic temper, trying TO pervert a constitutional
monarchy to dcspotsm, and people struggling to
maintain their rights by law. Hence it was period
of progress in education of development In ideas and
principles. At length the people trumphed in 1880,
IN establishing and more limited monarchy.
Under this, for Is years, king false to all his pro-
misses, fraudulent Inscriptions money jobber, was
intent establishing his dynasty at home, extending
1t other countries, and enrching its various men,
hers and for this purpose he governed by corruption,
and srove to convert the whole population into few
capitalists and multitude of paupers In opposition
TO this system, of genius and learning wrote and
detained, expounding principles, explaining ideas,
teaching the importance of knowledge and order as
essential IL liberty the necessity of due selfgovern
ment for the maintenance of political freedom, the
evils OF government not founded popular VIII, the
necessity of education for the maintenance of rights
and the administration of political power, and the
periority of peaceful and gradual over sudden and
violent changes in governmental systems Hence this
period was, more eminenty than the preceding,
period of progress of development in ideas and prin
clpes The revolution of 1850 found the labOrng
population of France ignorant, vindctive, fero-
cious mob That of 1880 found them an orderly,
con6ding, and somewhat enlightened people, knowing
what they wanted and how TO obtain II, but not how
Ia and keep IT, That of 1913 finds them
orderly, enlightened speculative, aspiring honorable,
generous, devoted people, understanding their rights
their virtues. and scornlng to avenge the latter by
any unworthy behaviour.
In all these changes, we see the operation of two
leading causes; the influence of Napoleon, exerted
through his military system, and the influence of the
United States, exerted through their example, and
through the enlightened philosophical, aspiring direc
tors of the French press, periodical and occasional.
The fundamental principle inspired by Napoleon
honor sense of personal dignity He found the French
people in anarchy Just broke loose from demoralIzng
slavery. He led them to victory in the field and I'M
provement every where, by inspiring them with indi-
vidual pride Of character. He made them democrats
through an ennobng. eevating desPotism. The lead
ing sentiment of his despotlsm was, The Emperor
Is your leader, not your master and you unwor-
thy to follow him, unless you men," To the high
elements of character thus developed by Napoleon,
did the French authors appeal, explaining rights,
pounding the principles which they were founded,
and pointing the United States practical illus
traon Of their operation upon human character and
happiness.
The result is the revolution of 1913; a revolution
which, thus far, has never been exceeded by any,
never equalled excepting by own, in sublimty Of
character. The principal actors in this revolution
were the laboring population Of Paris; people OPP
pressed with taxation to support splendid and
rupt government, and consequently doomed TO prIva
ton. Yet we see among them revenge, no cruelty,
depredauOn thlrstlng for the blood of their ty
rants. criminal conversion or wanton destruction
duced by the wanton murder of their friends and rea-
tives, in the streets, by the minions Of desposm,
they demosh some of royaltys costly trappngs in
some Of the royal residences. But with these few
exceptions their behaviour NOBLE exemplary,
sublime When starving mechanics work for
iweny-our hours without food in packing and secur-
ing the Queens jewery and plate and wardrobe for
herself, and shoot down thieves in the midst of their
depredaons for thus dsgracing the cause of liberty
aud converting struggle for rights into opporu-
their struggle. Such incidents show widely dffused
of personal dignity, high and holy appreca-
ton of right, which leave in doubt about their
fitness for republicanism. None but people enght-
ened, aspiring, and habitually virtuous would have
acted thus. They did not, like the mobs of London
demolish lamps and shop-windows without end or OBJ
eci, merely through love of wanton destruction. Yet
tyrans and their servile advocates stigmatze this
people as a mob. rabbls!
From the London Punch.
THE PATENTEEs OF GovERNMENT.-We are so pro-
fOundlY convinced that ministry survive for a.
week unless commanded of he nOhilfv Thar