Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-03-21
RICH ID, VA.
Tuesday Morning, March 81, ls4s'
TILE CRISIS In EUROPE.

We devote our paper 10 the thrillinsly in'e-
resting details of the Revolution in Paris, Tor
which we are indebted TO that excellent paper,
the Baltimore Sun. The intelligence has fallen
upon the public ear with sudden and terrific ef-
feet, though the signs Of the tines indicated a
storm in France at no very distant day. No
one could have read the angry debate in the
French chambers, on the subject q the Reform
Banqusts, without looking %intently for a popular
outbreak. Tho emphatic assertion BY the Mi
mister Duchatel, of a governmental right 10 pro-
hibit tic holding of meetings of any kind, even
Of 4 private nature, struck us as ill-timed and
impolitic, if not lie aiding 10 a movement fatal TO
the existence of The form Of government. A
week ago, the New York Commercial Adserti-
ser, looking dispa.sionately at the volcanic
movements in Europe, expressed the following
views, which have proved TO be prophetic:
..If the Minister supposed lie could maintain the Do-
sition. he must be culpably ignorant or INC aighsoi we
times; II II was the language oil a Minister uflSen 10
the desperate resource OF failing back upon so oiioua
a doctrine az that Of absolute kinsy risht, then IN MS
dismay lie furnished his opponents win The most
powerful weapon against his government that coulo De
IIJEtu III tuClI hIb ~ $3.50 ''
lon ger 10 elude his pursueIs, stands al bayi anu Tie re-
suit need not be- toretold.
s'History furnishes more than one instance where
this strange fatality preceded tn downfall 81 4 dynas-
". Whether ike results are %prefigufed by similar
facts remains 10 be seen; but IS somewhat remarkable,
that almost every European sovereign, now harasseG Dy
popular movements, has asserted or claimed ms aoso-
iute right At the very time when utterly pow.flrs't to
enforce Il. The King Of Naples ayows his tepugnance
10 granting the Sicilians an independent parliament, AT
The moment when they are debating terms, and COM
n1IIIuU him IN AJAX from q tlFelQu bower q gudlGntce
that he will abide by The terms proposed, mol oy Ilnl,
but 10 him, by his own people. 20, too, the Emperor
OF Austria protests against this Kings grant al Il con
stilntlon 10 his Neapoilian subjects. Oh me giounu OF
an alice ed obligation never to make any liberal cohces
sions while the Austrian Government Itself Is scarce
~ able 10 preserve authority over lis own people, tnsay
nothing Of the understood purpose OF England 10 aIlo"
no resort to arms on Austria's par! 10 enforce such obi
CATION"
Throughout Europe, the popular mind ior
some tim. past, seems % have been yearning for
free principles. Prussia has demanded a con-
s~tilutlon; in Italy, the ancient fire, OF liberty
are beginning 10 break forth and Pope Plus IA
ha. y ely and generously shaped his course 80
a. to meet The liberal spirit Of The age.
Every thing, therefore, has tended TO concen-
trate the resistance 10 arbitrary power, which
has found lis vent in inllammaole and cnthusl.
astic PARIS. Sill, VIC DO not believe, that even
there, the outbreak would have occurred until
The death Of Louis Phillippe-but it has been
FASTENED by his unwise attempt to muzzlc the
liberty Of the press, and TO prevent the people
from assembling quietly and peuceably, las heir
proclamation shows,) TO consider the great pub.
lie questions affecting their welfare.
The next arrival will be looked for with in
tense interest. No one can predict the conse.
quences Of a movement, which, like Tho terrlhc
revolution OF the last century, has commenced,
no, with the Chambers, bu. with The people. A
Republic las been proclaimed, and a provisional
government established. Blu whether ii will be
a Feccralive Republic, Composed OF The thirty
two provinces, as distinct Republics as proposed
b. the Girondins, or a Republic ''0nc and indivi-
slble," as advocated by 'lhe Mounlain"-lha, is
the vital question. Again, a fearful enquiry
arises, wheiher The monarchies OF Europe will
suffer a Republic 10 be established in France, 10
cast blight and desolation on lheir own arbitrary
governments. The whole subject is Toll Of Thrill
ling specuia ions, which time alone can %nnravel.
IltSt nGHII mDua We " " - \ IdhlC, " ~
people be prepared for such a change, establish a
Republic on the model Of our own, and dispense
the blessings Of free institutions among The be-
niehled nations around her. Certain il is, that
the liberal movement cannot! so backwards, and
that, whatever The events that may follow, The
cause Of freedom mus, come out OF the struggle
purified and strengthened.
In reviewing hastily all The circumstances, We
cannot but arrive al The conclusion that he des-
tiny OF he Bonrbons is decided, ami the family OF
Louis Philippe will not be allowed to rule tie
tate OF France We wish liberty, prosperity and
peace 10 France, which showed herself our gene
rous friend and we congratulate our own PEG.
pie, that, By the admirable workings OF our Tree
institutions, our nation has been, and will long
continue 10 be, exempt from these alarming out
breaks.