Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-06-17

which Mr.. HUME advocates, and evidently rendered
necessary by the circumstances of the case, was
violently opposed by FEARGUs O'CoNNoR. Lord
JOHN RUSSELL ventured an assertion which,
whilst it plainly exhibits his lordship's opinion as
to the wishes of tile people, and probably his own
nclinations upon the subject, will be the means of
calling forth such an expression Of that opinion as
will not leave the Premier any room TO hesitate
about ii. Lord John said - My belief is that the
middle and the working classes of the country do
not wish for either the peoples charter or for the
great plan of reform which comes near the char
ter as proposed by the honorable member from
Monuose. believe that they see their true inte-
rest in gradual progress of reform, and that this
8 House should give its attention to the questions
before II, and that their true interests consist in
the peace and quiet of the country"
Certainly, the affairs of continental Europe are
sadly out OF joint and this is not the time for agi
tating the public mind Of England, but it is more
than ever necessary 10 quiet that mind where it is
agiated, and this Lord Johns speech is not likely
to do. He appears to be going directly into the
extreme OF denying the people any concessions,
whilst the late French Provisional Government ran
into the other extreme of granting them every thing
A want OF cancellation may be as injurious as
want of hrmness. We look, however, for nothing
more serious in England than an exhibition Of honest
steady but temperate expression Of his wishes and
wants as will cause them 10 be attended to.
There has been good deal of speech. making
and provisioning in Dublin in consequence Of the
acquittal Of Messrs. o. BRIEN and MEAGHER. There
seems, however, to be gradual subsistence of the
public mind and temper. The grand Jury have
found true bill against Mr.. MITCHELL, and his
trial will be Immediately proceeded with.
FRANCE is proceeding steadily with the initiatory
steps of notwithstanding. very able COM
mittee of eighteen has been appointed to prepare
and propose the proiet Of such Constitutions NJ
DE CoRMENIN is president of the committee, and
amongst its members are found NM. DE TocouE-
VILE, DUPN, ODMoN BARRoT, MARRAsT, LAM
MENAIs, De BEAUMONT, &c.
The French Government appears determined TO
take the railroads into its own hands. This mea-
sure may lead to these important communications
being completed sooner than they would have been
if left in the hands of private companies, and far
be national advantage; but itappears TO be great
breach OF private right and must produce the great
commercial evil Of driving all foreign capital from
the country.
Ii is TO be greatly feared that the National AS
sembly of France is fast dividing itself into antago-
MYSTICAL parties, and ndulging in acts of mutual hos
tty and rancor. Two Of these parties have already
been pretty nearly thrown overheard, viz the ultra
Democrats, under BARBEs and his clique, and the
Communists, headed by Louis BLANC and ALBERT
The great majority of the National Assembly has
sided with either of these parties, but there are
symptoms that it will speedily form into two others
-one that of the old dynasties under NM BARRoT
and THEIRS, (who will shortly be in the Assembly,
and their friends; and the other the party of the
moderate republicans, under LAMARTINE, MARRAsT,
GARNER PAGES, &c. There is danger that the
mind of the people viii become dsaflected to each
OF these parties, through the representations of the
opposite one. LAaARTNE and his friends may be
rendered unpopular with the citizens and the Ma
tional Guard, flung aside from the Government, and
forced into the ranks of the ultras whilst NM.
BARRoT and THEIRS may be thwarted in their efforts
10 establish laws and institutions representive of
popular influence, through jealousy of there being
so many steps towards monarchy. Great mischief
may arise from these party classifcations. The
safety of France consists in the union of all mod
crate men, and in the establishment of moderate
and rational Government OF republican type, meet
ing the unequvocally expressed wish Of the people
Such Government we fear will be formed may
be driven BY faction support itself by measures
OF rigor-by the aid Of the military-in short, TO
incur the odum Of conservatism, as understood in
France, and thus pave the way for long series of
intestine evils and national calamities.
LAMARTISE is certainly again falling into dis
credit 1t seems TO be his fate to be called upon
in all hours of difficulty and danger to stand for
ward as the champion of peace and order, and in
that position he has always done his duty, and been
hailed with reclamation. But the danger over, he
is charged with a want Of firmness and decision.
because he uniformly remains true to that mild and
moderate course which he has SO successfully pur-
sued since February. The task ofpreserving peace
and preventing explosions during the dangerous days
of March and April was most difficult. II was not
TO be achieved without soothing many hot-headed
chiefs, fauering many impracticable patriots, and
making use Of some not very reputable instruments.
Without any force whatever at its disposal, the Pro-
vsional Government or at lest De LAmARTINE
was obliged to condescend 10 much that was not
very digniied To expose all his agents and all
their dongs to the light by public trial, he, no doubt
thinks would be impolitic. Yet his motives, we
feel confident, are good, and his aims honorable.
The DYNAsTIEs, however, would not shrink from
discrediting LAMARTISE, even for what he has done
IN behalf order during that trying period, when they
sheltered themselves in their homes. This is as
ungenerous as il will be found to be impolitc. As
far as England is concerned with the question OF
who shall rule in France. she cannot but remember
that ODnoN BARRoT and many Of his party are
as hostile 10 and Jealous Of England as LAaARTINE
has shown himself to be the contrary. Sul, if the
latter cannot conciliate the support Of the middle
classes he must fall. We should see this result
with much msgving and regret for not only do
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