The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-08-17

has been something Of reaction in France during
che last few monthsa-that NOT only the Govern
laent with Louis Napoleon and Odillon Barrot at
is head, Is departing from the cause Of democracy
and constitutional liberty, but that there has also |
been Tevulson Of feeling among the French |
people, driving them back again into the old paths
Of monarchical forms and monarchical ideas. The
chief facts for arriving at such conclusion are
contained il the results Of the late elections for the
Assembly
Several agencies have been at work to produce
such an effect Many Of the leading statesmen of
France, too far committed to monarchical theories
Of government to enter with spirit into the practice
Of republican forms and yet too DESTROYS of power
to deny altogether the prevailing sentiments of the
nation, have, ever since the revolution of Febru-
airy. endeavored 10 recall the only state Of things
which could restore them % their ancient conse-
quence and consideration. The Moles and the
Theirs feel that they can only play secondary
part in a state founded on democratic ideas; for
their intellecs have the zine and subtle qualities
which fit them for oourtiers rather than the strong
and robust constitution requisite for the guidance
Of people, These, and such as these, who united
their destnies to those of the Orleans branch wish,
no doubt the restoration of she Count Of Paris.
But the younger branch Of the Bourbons offers no
point sufficiently striking TO arrest French inagina-
tons. Hence the friends Of the Orleans family,
more anxious for monarchy than for any particu-
lar monarch, will find it necessary to unite their
fortunes with those possessed Of sturdier faith
and more robust ideas of kinglv rights and kinglv
prerogatiyes The Mol6s, the Theirs and the De
Broges win find themselves forced into a union
with the Beryers, the De G6noudes, the Monta-
lemberts and the Larochejaequelenz, if they wish
to revive the monarchical- forms which eighteen
months ago appeared altogether annihated in
France. For the Oreanists are shrewd enough to
see that there is now, no matter what there was
ten months ago, the mere fragment Of a Bonapart
list party in the republic The struggle, then, is to
be between republcanism and Henry the Fifth
the struggle begun more than sixty years ago be-
tween the divine right Of kings and the divine
right Of the people to govern There can be no
compromise ofiered--no Orleans king, no Napo-
leonic emperof-but the battle must be open and
decided between king Of the old Bourbon DYNASTY
and the generous people over whom the monarchs
Of this race 50 long tyrannized and triumphed.
So far has the coalition between the Orleanists
and the Harry Cinquists advanced that the Paris
discuss the probability Of ministry presided
over by Mole and having for two Of its members
Theirs and Monialembert Such a ministry. how.
ever, could hardly remain for any length of time,
the confidential advisers of Louis Napoleon. Even
if with their preiudices, and with their openly ex
pressed opinions they could accept office momenta-
rily at the hands of Napoleon, it would be only
to use their power against their temporary master
and betraY the President they had bound them
selves to serve.
Another influence tending to weaken the course
OF liberal principles in France has been the impru-
denee Of the Democratic leaders. Had there been
an O'Connell or a Mirabeau in France atthe break
ing out Of the February revolution, we should not
now see the tendencies towards retrograde move
ment among the very people who eighteen months
ago rspudiated the past and threw themselves into
the future But Preudhon, and Louis Blanc, and
Ledru- Rollln, though strong in their convictions
and OF sufficient capacity to perceive the course
men ought to take, had not the wide-seeing INTEL
lact which chances over all the difficulties in its
way and boldly devises means TO turn or overcome
he obstacles that lie in its path Il is possible that
he newly elected Deputy, Jules Favre, may prove /
himself more capable leader than Ledru- Rolin;
is to be hoPed that his tactics will be more sue
'essful than those Of his predecessor and that he
will not be obliged 70 fly from the country he at
empts to reform and regenerate.
But a chief-and probably the ehiefest-oause
which has been at work to change the current of
French feeling and French opinion, is the nterfer-
ence Of the Government in the affairs Of Italy.
How is it, they ask, that Republican Governments
are as treacherous as the kings they represented
With Constitution which announced the dogma
that France would respect all other nationalies as
she wished her own to be respected, one of the
very first acts Of the first French President is to
violate the Constitution and make war on people
with whose struggles he was bound to sympathize.
Are presidents then no better than kings Is there
no more conscience in republics than in monar-
ches If so, Indifferent to us, they argue, the
forms under which we live or'the titles we may
give ourruers.
We have an abiding faith, however, in the
strength Of republican feelings in France. But
give the republicans a leader and nothing can resist
them. Give the will of the masses guiding in.
ielect and it overcomes every obstacle-the petty
ntrigues Of man@uvrng diplomatists as well as the
willy schemes Of hypocritical fatterers and awners
IN the people. God grant that there may arise some
Moses to lead the French people from out of the
wilderness in which they are wandering-some
oshua that may bring them into the promised land.
sserved for all those who practice selfgovernment
nd selfeohtro
ryrra Tho Erfs-iar a--lV.