The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-03-31
Is France fit for Republic ?

The following remarks, from the Baltimore
American, upon topic which interest most
people at this time:
TIE French RErUpL1c.-The determination
of the French people to establish Republic is
evinced by the fact that neither Theirs nor odllon
Barrot, the leaders of the liberalists in the Cham
Der of Deputies, We're admitted INTO the ProVIs-
ional Government account of their advocacy OF
a Regency. Nothing tainted with an infusion Of
Royalty, ii seems, will now do for France. The
throne, It's emblem, torn from the 1ulerles, carried
i'll procession through the streets OF Paris and then
shvered into thousand pieces, has ceased to rep
resent a Power a Principle.
The question arises full of interest and involved
in doubt-cdn France mtdint0ln RepubHc The
friends OF Freedom and of Progress will not allow
themselves TO disrust. They full of hope, full
of confidence. The experience of sixty years has
done probably more for France in teaching the
practical duties of self-government than centuries
would have done under ordinary circumstances for
any other people for France herself at any other
period. Her history since the outbreak of her first
Revolution has concentrated in itself series of the
severest lessons that ever nation had to learn Ivy
the stern ordeal OF endurance. Though Royalty
came back with the restoration of the Bourbons
and was continued under Louis Philippe, it grew
to be Royalty without Aristocracy in alliance
with il. So completely the aristoc ratical sys-
tenn shattered by the first Revolution so general
became the distribution of landed property, i'll con-
sequence of the wholesale conliscatlOns under the
Reign of Terror and throug bout the Revolution
that nothing like the fed4l regime Of the old no.
blllty could ever regain footlIold in France.
The Chamber of Peers, il is known, is elective,
and hereditary nor are its members chosen from
particular class. Distinction worth and talent in
any pursuit confer eligibility for the post of Peer
OF France. The power Of the crown. since LOUIS
fhlllppes accession, has been simply the power OF
money, exercised through the: patronage of the
Government upon limited body of electors and
upon the members of the Chamber of Deputies.
Ever since inquiry was started III France INTO
matters of Government, and CONSCIOUSNESS OF
political rights began To give boldness to opinions,
and TO inspire courage and resolution in action the
sway of intellect in France has been sgnally con
splcuous. The power of intellect, enforcing great
political truths and indicating the high principles
OF nationality and the public good, has constituted
the main force of the Opposition III the Chamber of
Deputies Tor the last twenty years-to 90 back
further.
Hence it is that strong hopes are entertained of
the success OF Republican institutions in France.
vi course they must be modified in every country
where they established, according the genius
the peculiar Developments which call for them.
In this view it is probable that Republic in
France will embody more of the military element
than we are accustomed in this country TO consider
proper or safe. But in France the soldisry, filed
with the national sentiment, easily fraternize with
the people The organization of citizens into a
National Guard does not make them anv the less
citizens The strong and ardent sympathies and
good wishes OF this Republic, at all events are
with Republican France and for the establishment
OF free institutions there, with whatever modifca-
tons the French people may deem it proper to ac-
company them