The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-03-22
The French Rev lutioO-Its Position and
Prospects.

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Tho French Rev clunon-Its Position and
Prospects.
The astounding revolution in France, is still
on every tongue The most rec mt accounts
from Paris, left the establishment Of republic in
very hazardous position-our own accounts, in
the regular channels, are dow to the eveningof
the twenty-third of February 1t is clear that
no mails were permitted to leave Paris on the
Gath, or subsequently, The intelligence of the
important movements which took place on the
evening Of the twenty-fourlh, or the morning OF
the twenty-hfth-we mean the proclamation oil
the provisional government establishing re-
publie-was brought to the London journals by
special messengers, in the best way they could
The first effect of the detection Of the National
Guard, and that of the troops ofthe line following
them, was the abdication of Louis Philippe In ia
vor OF his grandson. The next important step
was the scene In the Chamber of Deputies,
brought about by Odilon Barrot, and few others,
who adhered TO the Orleans family, in which
fruitless attempt was made to make the Coun
Of Paris king, and give the regency to his mo-
Their. This was set aside at once, as being "too
late" Immediately on the back of this scene,
which took place on the twenty-four.h of Feb
ruary, the radical section of the Chambers, con
sisting of Dupont de PEure, Lamartine, Arago,
and others, took steps for the prcmugation and
establishment of republic. What followed was
the proclamation in favor of a republic, which we
have given, and which appeared in the DIoniieur
Of the twenty-ffth of February.
This last intelligence, however, all came by
the special agents or messengers of the London
press, and not in the regular Paris mails, to Eng
I'm last 1eov fair IN hot
sition-abrupt and sudden We hardly know
yet the sentiments of Paris, or the departments,
on this proclamation for the establishment OF
republic, although the belief lie, according TO the
latest telegraphic reports, that the National
Guard and The people of Paris, had all submitted
TO the provisional government, in peace and
quiet.
This is the most accurate view OF the position
of things, up to the latest moment. We can only
therefore, speculate on meagre facts The
Chamber of Peers, and the existing Chamber oil
Deputies, were both abolished, and steps were
about to be taken for the enlargement Of the
electoral franchise, and the election of Ma
tional Assembly, to form constitution. Here
commence the troubles, difficulties, and strug-
giles of the new provisional government. How
will they proceed in the midst of such popua-
tion, agitated by such newspapers as exist in
Paris, to reach, with order and regularity the
result aimed at-the establishment of regular
constitutional republic, through the action Of
elections, and national convention, up TO re-
gularly organized government
The French army will, no doubt, side with
the provisional government. The National
Guard, throughout the empire, which had
been previously disbauded by the King, will
be reorganlzed and brought into action. II
the people Of Paris and France conduct
themselves with moderation and prudence,
there would seem to be no difficulty in the ulti-
mate establishment Of regular republic, with
an organized government capable OF conducting
their affairs much better, and certainly much
cheaper, than by any of the old monarchical
systems; but there are vast obstacles in the way.
The rottenness and corruption left by the go
vernment of Louis Philippe, will impede the
freedom Of the new men, and turn as de the
popular impulses into de vious paths.
The old electoral body of France consists o f
nearly two hundred thousand persons, all of
whom enjoyed office under the dynasty of Louis
Philippe. Indeed, the number of officials kept
in the pay Of the government was nearly mil
lion OF persons, being four times many as the
electoral body. This vast amount OF influence
will be materially affected by the revolution in
Paris, and may combine to throw obstacles in
the way of the establishing of a republic.
in the mode pointed out by the proclaim ition
Issued from the Hotel de Vile. The difficulties
will increase. The French people OF the pre-
sent day are undoubtedly more moderate, more
PRACTICAL end more intelligent, than they were In
1870 but the French people never yet possessed
the whole political power OF the State, or were
called on since the time of the old revolution,
in 1880, 10 proceed regularly in establishing u
republic. In all the changes which have taken
place In France, from the year 1890 down to
1915, there never were but one or two attempts
TO establish a republic, and that was half a
century ago The social condition OF France is
peculiar. For years past, under every dynasty,
they have been covered with police agents and
spies, as IT they were covered with net The
government insinuaied Itself into every creyice
ofsociety -socical, political, religious, all The
sudden liberation from all those ties and in.
fuences which have covered French society for
30 many years, may produce a wildness and
extravag ance that might throw obstacles in the
way Of regularly organising republic. Amid