Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-12-07

nah'' ne aim OF men Of all parties,
IS TO bring him into contempt, and there
by lessen his popularity and chances for
the Presidency, and every pretext is sell
zed with avidity, which can aid them in
effecting this object.
After the decree Of the Presidential
election had been disposed of, the Ma
tional assembly last Thursday discussed
the financial situation Of the country
After the un1attering figures we have
laId before you, it is scarcely necessary
to say, that the future is gloomy for
France. Even with all the hopes, the
fond dreams that Office inspire, even M.
Traove-Chauvel finds himself obliged to
admit the melancholy bankruptcy which
overhangs the government. 1t will be
recoiected by your readers, that the
creditors of the Savings Bank, and the
holders Of Treasury bonds, were obliged
to accept in payment of their dues, a
certificate of stock, (titres de rentes) and
that these certificates quickly deprecia-
ted below their legal value. Indeed, up-
on every sum CT eighty francs, which
had been confted to the State, relying
upon its good faith, the unfortunate cred
itor lost twelve francs. Which was
quoad twelve francs, what Sydney Smith
would have called reputation. Apart
from the wrong inflicted upon the State
creditor, and the moral crime committed
10y the State, this measure was attended
with further unfortunate effect it de-
stroyed all confidence in Savings lnsti-
tutlons. No one who has attended the
working of that admirably devised insti-
tute, has failed to observe the good it
has wrought among all the poorer and
uneducated masses Of the community,
by spreading among them discreet
care of the future, and by lessening the
temptations to waste their scanty earn
ings. These institutions which have
: worked so well in France are to-day un-
, frequented. The poor have lost all con-
fidence in them, and confidence cannot
well be re-establshed. To essay to re-
. store this vanished confidence in the Sa-
wings Banks, and the French govern
ment, M. Trouve-Chauvel proposes to
= make up the loss thus sustained. The
r decree will pass.
Mr.. A. Fould addressed the Chamber
the same day, upon the financial condi-
ton of the country. He calculates the
deficit for l949 at $50 millions of francs
he examined the several reports Of M.
GARNER Pages, Duclere, Goodchaux,
which represented in each report the de-
ficit steadily increasing, and he declared
4 Notwithstanding the doubt which these
e varying reports threw over the minds of
d all, he did not regard the situation Of
the country as grave or as perhous as
: many members had presented it-but he
r believed that with the firm resolution of
e resisting all but absolutely necessary ex-
penses-of using every reform which
could be introduced, of being as econo-
e mical as possible, that they would give
security to the country, and the fatal
b word bankruptcy so frequently pronoun-
e ced in the Chamber-would be but a
II dream-Mr. Goodchaux, the late min
: lister, contends, that there will be no de.
s ficit, but there will be enough in the
u Treasury to carry on the government,
a without any additional loans, until Feb
e ruary, 1850.
y The papers in Paris some days ago,
u contained an extract from letter pur-
Il porting to be from M. Lamartine, in
g which he is represented as dsliking the
l elevation TO the Presidency, but ready
II to serve the country in this dangerous
e crisis. This drew from M. Lamartine
q the following reply which he addressed
! to the editor of the Journal DIES Debats
: "SAINr POINT, Goth Oct. l84S.
g Sir-I read in the Journal DIES Debats
s an article taken from the Courier de la
Il Gironde, which | beg from you to cor
Il rect, that have answered correspond
D ent at Bordeaux in these terms " can
II not wish the candidateship for the office
e of President. pray God and my
friends to keep me from burden so dis
/ proportionate to my strength. But if the
= country shall see fit to designate me for
J that magistracy, will be at no more
/ liberty to decline it, than was free ia
+ decline the appointment Of the people
: last February "a, which would have lef,
S Paris without government" l do moi
= believe that we are now menaced with
$ similar dangers, and | correct the Cour-
i Ter de Ia Gironde but to avoid all mis-
/ construction which may be placed upon
e that remark. To canvass for the Presi-
= dency would be ridiculous, 10 desire it
: would be fool-hardy, to refuse it would
y be dereliction of duty 10 the republic
r and to the country. Whilst | am inca
h pable of that ambition, am also inca
r pabIe of that dereliction of duty.
: Accept, Sir, &c. g., Lamartine, rep
$ resentative of the people.