The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-07-17

Observation-Disclosures is the offspring of strong
emotions, and of truth. Such is its power that
when called forth great occasions, it has acted
! like magic on the masses, and made revolutions
History does not present many more striking ex-
amples of the power of eloquence in great emer-
gency than the brief, energetic speech of General
Cavaignac, lately pronounced in the Chamber of
Deputies This great burst Of eloquence had the
effect of stopping the torrent of revolution which
was rapidly hurrying on, and threatening to sweep
away all before it. And stop the wild impetus of
a revolution, is itself revolution. Let us relate
the circumstances, and give, as far as can be
done our language, the spirit of this little Speech
which did such wonders.
Paris was IN an uproar; general discomfort
prevailed against the government. With some it
was too ultra; with others not ultra enough-with
all it was evident that it possessed neither energy
nor power. In this state of bad feeling, suddenly
one name, and with that name spirit, arose,
and filed the public mind. That name was " Ma
poleon' All seemed to turn their eyes toward
the NAME and the prescribed heir of that great man,
as the only chance of giving stability, rmness and
responsibility to the government Drowning men
will catch at straw, and Louis Napoleon is said
to be morally but straw. In this situation oil
things when a revolution in his favor seemed i'm
minent accounts arrived on all sides, from the
departments, that the troops of the line had pro-
nounced for him, and raised, in several cities, with
the National Guards, the loud and enthusiastic
cry of "Vipe LOUIS Napoleon" The account of
these events was conveyed the National Assem-
bly,, which was then sitting CONSERVATION filled the
mind of every one-a dead and ominous quiet per-
vaded the Assembly-the shouts of the people out
Il aard II
crisis Then, at this moment, General Cavaig-
nae rushed to the tribune, and pronounced with
animation and energy, the following speech. We
give the spirit OF it,
aFelow citizens-Ths is terrible accusation of an
attempt against the republic. Be 1t far from me to
credit it. No. must believe-I wish to beleve-yes
believe, that he whose name has thus been used Is
himself nocent of the criminal purpose. At the
time am that | am only giving expression 20 the
unanimous feeling of this Assembly when devote to
everlasting execratien the whosoever be may be-
who shall attempt put his sacrilegious hand upon
the liberties Of republic History has far glory
and honor in store for him who consecrates ali his
and faculties to the service OF ms country than
she will have for that who, taking advantage of
glorious name would seek to pervert the pur
fhis own personal ambition"
At these decisive and patriotic words, pronounc-
ed with all the energy Of deep emotion and II h
full feeling, the whole Assembly was electrified.
They all rose spontaneously in body, and filed
the air with repeated, and then reiterated, loud
acclamations of give la Rtpubl,que! The republic
for ever"
This was the decisive momentum impulse was
thus given to public opnon-the enthusiasm with
IN the Assembly was heard outside-It spread like
wildfre among the people-the wild enthus asm
for mere name was suddenly quenched, and the
factous and disconnected, who had hoped to make
their advantage out of it, and to overthrow the re-
public, found themselves longer supported by the
people, whom, momeniarlly, they had led astray
Such is the power of eloquence in revolutionary
times.