The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-04-02

before the people series of political banque where the
policy and persons of the ministry were warmly discussed
and language approaching revolutionary ervor aroused
the dormant of the naiion When the Chambers
before the close OF the year. stormy debates
upon the Swiss and Italian questions and especially upon
The corrupt practices imputed 10 ministers, who were as
sailed with violence and personality beyond what had
been heard in the legislative halls The royal Speech
mprudeny characterized the sentiments uttered in the
banquets hoste and blind " and the ministry declared
their Intention To the of these meetings
One announced take place in Paris accordingly pro-
hbed by the project of police upon the injunction of the
government. The opposition, almost man. proclaimed
their intention to persist in holding the banquet and the
ministry We're equally peremptoy in their declarations
hait should not be held Much alarm excited by
these reciprocal menaces pour parias of the mode
rate on both sides held and agreed
that the opposition might hold their banquet which should
be signalized as violation of law and brought before
The tribunals for their decision On the morning the
ist OF February however, notice appeared signed by the
commssares of the banquet, ing that would
take place the day noon, and inviting the national
guards unamed and the students OF the University,
the deputies and other guests The government imme-
datey took the alarm this alleged illegal convocation OF
the national guards forbade by PROCLAMATION the meeting
and declared in the Chamber that should be prevented
all hazards To spare the euson of blood and obvate
the explosion of disaster nseparable from collision with
the authorities the leaders of the opposition hastily met
and resolved that the banquet should be postponed bur that
they should impeach the minister's and, in the probable
OF failure appeal the people, and agtae the
try by resgning in body and going before their constu
ents The confidence OF the court was great and its feel
ing of security undisurbed 1t had made all its arrange
mens for the crisis and had assembled between fifty and
hundred thousand regular troops, in and around the capt
tai know, personally, that the preceding Saturday
night Uhe l9th) the King alluded the threatened
bles with indifference vergng upon gayey; and have
heard from unquestionabe sources, that Monday night
and later, this sentiment of security had
abaed although urgent representations of the danger that
threatened and of the necessity of timely concessions
made to him. "Why should change my ministry" was
haye a maio in
the ChamberP' He forgot that the Chamber did rep
the peoplethe only circumstance that give
curity in constitutional government.
On Monday night the of the first of the three days
of the revolution was at two soirfone given by aid
de-camp OF the King the other by ambassadorwhere
although slight uneasness prevailed with reference
events that take place the day, all persons
ached by position or party to the government evinced the
greatest security The decision of opposition
ed as capulaon, which betrayed its inherent weakness
and would destroy It's moral influence in the country.
had doubts and expressed them cautiously surmsing
that the crisis would end at least in change Of ministry
knew that the army could not be counted upon, without
the cordial support of the national guard French army
band of mercenaries Draughted from the by
pon, ii is armed portion of the population,
which sympathizes with the people, from which lately
and to which it will go back. Such soldiers
fire with reluctance upon popular masses in wrong,
at least doubtful indeed In any and their officers
shrink from the dreadful responsibility of giving such fatal
orders.
The day. (Which Tuesday, the 22d Of February
the birthday of our Washingon) calmly seated al
my customary abors, when was informed that there
disturbance in the Streets and that the people
ing barbados. cutting down trees and burning barracks
in the Champs Elysees. Upon going out, / crowds
rather knots, composed chiefly of boys, in ouscs he
common dress, short blue fcck) breaking lamps
ing the large square with which Paris paved
and with these and other materials erecting slight has,y
barbados One of these like exhalaiion, almost
Immediately before my door; and somewhat amused
the mob seize unfortunate hackney COACH un
hfph fba hpra and in 1orIon,
tons, it assist in forming barricade. Feeling
how vain it resist, the disconsolae Jehu quiet
y led away his horses. Bodies of military rapidly
moving through the Streets charging cautiously through
the crowd, and running the barriers, which mme
dately recommended when the soldiers had moved off in
another direction. But other violence either
side The atfighted citizens closed their doors and
dows, if they feared their dwellings and shops would be
taken by storm. Proceeding towards the more central
parts of the city, met bodies of troops who
hailed by the people with friendly cries of Yive Ia
hghean evident appeal to their popular sympathes In
various places encountered slight barbados or the
marks of what had been such. There but little tn
multuary violence, but all the marks of great and per-
vadng popular efervescence. 1t impossible cross
tue river at the usual avenues of the strategic
arrangements of the public orce and had far be-
fore could find bridge which was not interrupted The
crowd was everywhere great, and fear anxiety, def
ance was depicted upon every face The revolt was ma
turing, but not yet ripe On returning about five o'clock,
the agitation, though not repressed, had somewhat subs
ded and the city alive with troops infantry and cava
ry, but a national guard In the and square of
the Tuileries regiment stationed, and evidently
preparing bvouac there for the night. cold rain
falling and sharp wind driving it into comortess
faces The city looked dark and dismal from the universal
closing of the shops When night came, the darkness
almost fearful from the destruction ofnumerous lamps and
the interruption, in many Places OF the supply of gas
The streets almost deserted. Nothing hea rd
the trampng of soldiers horse and foot the occasional
cry swift step OF Struggling rioer and the monoto
sound of the drum beating the rapp for the national
guadthe ominous tocsin of civic danger. learned that
the Chamber had met usual; that the of accusation
had been read, and quietly referred and that unim
portant discussion had then taken place before almost
empty benches.
The morning "Wednesday the 23d) apparently
quiet in the parts of the town which visited but
the movement of troops considerable and nces
and vague rumors reached me, from time to lme OF
fighting in the old and populous of Parishe streets
and aubourgs ST. Denis ST Martini Montmartre &c Inthe
Of the afternoon the spread like widre that
the King had dismissed his obnoxious ministry, and had
for Count Mole to form cabinet This, in fact
was announced by Mr.. Guzo in the Chamber, reason
for answering the inquiries made by member upon
the of the capital But the of the fallen minister
was defying and he met proposition to postpone the
discussion of the Of accusation with conemptuous
declaration, that he ready it whenever the
Chamber should think proper. The posponement was
rejected by large and the conservative members
crowded round their leader, if condoe with and de-
end him, if necessary.
The national guard had been called queli the
disturbances the first day, though the rapp had been
family beat and responded night 1t known that
large majority in its ranks favorable to REFORM and