The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-04-17

growing out Of it those benefits were promised
to them, and they were satisfied. Itmay be said
that because the people Of Paris exhibited con-
fidence In themselves, and were so tranquil UNI
der the new order of things, at the last accounts,
there is no reason to believe that the rest of
that extensive country will do the same but
Paris, in this respect, is France. In that nation,
the public opinion Of the whole country
is regulated by that of Paris, which is
recognized as the great centre OF thought
and influence which guides and con-
trolls the remainder. Neither do we see
any symptoms of France running into the
excuses which followed the revolution of 1889,
nor is there any probability of tho occurrence Of
another reign of terror. The French people of
the present day are of a different character to
those of that time. They are more intelligent,
better educated, and have been schooled by bit
ter and dear bought experience. They exhibit
proof of this in the admirable respect to law and
order which has governed them in the recent
revolution; and to so great an extent is this vis-
BILE, that the last accounts from the capital con-
cur In stating that, with the exception of the
stumps of the trees which had been cut down by
the populace to form barbados, the city pre-
sents as quiet and orderly an appearance as It
did before the revolution, and that the shops
were open, and business conducted as usual
that, indeed, the revolution had apparently been
forgotten, and that to stranger, it would ap.
pear that the new order of things had been in
existence long time.
Thus far, then, we see nothing on which prog
nostications of anarchy and disorder can be
based; but everything onwhich we might predict
stability, and permanent and peaceful order OF
| things. In forming conclusions on the result Of
such a mighty event, it would be highly illiberal
and unfair to take up the worst features, and from
them form an opinion, leaving out of sight the
favorable points. The great trial probably took
| place on the ninth of April when the members OF
the new national convention were to have bcen
elected. That was the ordeal that tested the capa.
bility ofthe people ofFrance for selfgovernment;
and we are free to say, that we have great expec.
tations that they passed through it safely and un-
| scathed. If the elections were conducted in a
| spirit OF order and moderation, and if the
members elected are equal to the task
which they shall assume, all will be safe. The
republic of France will then be fixed fact, and
the spirit of liberty will receive an impulse that
will be irresistible. The people of France are
not alone in this great movement; for their ex-
ample has already been followed in Germany,
Italy and other countries. This will serve to
give them additional confidence; and in addition
to that, they have before them the experience
and history of the United States, and the sane
ton of the Catholic hierarchy. These advan.
tages they did not possess in their first revolu-
ton; and for proof that they are properly appre-
ciated, we refer our readers to the extracts in
another part of the paper.