The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-08-25
FfvfI Inc OOuffIcI Ues Etdts Unls.
History Of the ReyoIusien Of IS4S.

a
Lamartine has just published, and in which
are found all the qualities that insure to its
author a distinguished place among histo.
rianS fecoundity of inspiration, elevation
of ideas, magnifcence OF language. The
fragment Of this book, which we republish,
Is the most eloquent and the most earnest
plea that could be made to Justify the adop.
tion Of the republic. In il the pomp Of
forms is happily united with the inspirations
OF the most iervent patriotism, and Of the
most Judicious policy. Il is An admirable
page which the old parties themselves are
forced to admire.
III. Lamartine first makes known the
reasons which decided him to call for the
formation OF q provisonary government,
and to prefer the republic to the regency
Retained at home on the morning Of the
24th by indisPosition. he did not think OF
quitting his state Of inaction. Events,
says he, passed over him: he would hear
of them, as the public, with Indifference OF
with Joy, according as they appeared to serve
or operate against the disinlerested cause
ne bore in his heart. But news was brought
him. He was informed that they were in
dread oil an invasion Of the people at the
Chamber of Deputies. Danger threaten
ed his colleagues. He got up and started
out from the instinct of honor and not
from political motives"
After having drawn a rapid and poetic
sketch OF the aspect of the city, as he pass
ed along, of his meeting with different per.
sons with whom he had no time to con.
verse, NJ. Odillon Barrot, General Perrot,
and some Journalists of the opposition, the
author continues his narration:
The group Of republicans which surround
cd Lamartine on his entry into the passage
oil the Chamber, asked Of him a secret anc
urgent interview in a remote hall OF tht
palace. NJ. Lamartine conducted them L
1t. The doors were closed. The greate
part OF those men were known to him onl,
by sight.
One OF them spoke in the name OF all:
The hour presses, said he, events ART
hanging over the unknown. We are re
Publlcans; our convictions, our thoughts
our lives are devoted to the Republic. Il
Is not at the moment when our friends have
shed their blood during three days, for thi:
cause common to the people and us, thai
we should disown il. Ii shall ever be the
soul OF our souls, the highest aim of oul
hopes, the unwavering tendency Of our act.
and our writings. In a word, we will new.
er abandon it, but We may postpone il and
suspend IT in consideration of interests al.
Penor, IN our eyes, to the Republic ITSELF
the interests OF our country. Is France
ripe for that form Of government! viii
she accept IT without resistance, or will she
submit to il without violence!
In word, is it not more dangerous 10
launch her tomorrow into the fulness OF
these institutions, than to retain her upon
the threshold, letting her behold them in
the distance, and causing her to desire them
more personality! You see now the state
oil our minds; you see our scrupIes. let us
resolve them. We are not acquainted with
you, we do not hatter you, but We esteem
you. The people invoke your name.-
They have confidence in you. You are in
our mind the man for the hour. Whatev.
er you say, shall be said. Whatever YOU
wish, shall be done. The reign of Louis
Philippe is over. No reconciliation is DOS.
sible between him and us. But can a
temporary continuation OF royalty under
the name Of child, under the hand of a
weak woman, and under the direction of a
popular minister, the mandatory of the
people and dear TO the republicans; can
this put an end to the crisis, and initiate
the nation into the republic under the vain
name of monarchy! Are you willing to be
the minister, the guardian of expiring ROY.
atty and rising liberty, by governing this
woman, this child, this people? The re-
publican party places itself automatically
IN your power by our voices. We are
ready to take upon ourselves the formal en-.
gagement Of bearing you to power by the
hand, henceforth invincible, OF the reyolu.
ton which rumbles at these doors. of sus.
tanning you there, Of continuing YOU there
by our votes, BY our journals, BY our secret
societies, BY our disciplined forces in the
body OF the people. Your cause shall be
ours. The minister Of regency for France
and for Europe, you will be the minister of
the true Republic FOR us.
The excited and conscientious orator
ceased to speak; his colleagues gave the as
sent OF their silence and their gestures to his
words.
Lamartine asked Of them moment of
reflection to weigh in his mind a resolution
and responsibility so terrible. He placed
has elbows upon the table, buried his fore.
head in his hands, and mentally invoked the
inspirations OF Him who alone deceives
not be reflected almost without breathing
Tor five or six minutes. The republicans
remained standing in front Of him, and
grouped around the table. At last Lamar.
tine removed his hands, raised his head and
said to them:
Gentlemen, our situations, our precedents
are very different, and the parts we play
here are very strange. You are of the old |
nncompromising republicans; am not a re.
publican OF that school, and yet it is who
am going at this time to be more republi.
can than you. Let Us understand one
another; | regard. as you do, republican
government, that is to say, government of
ne people by their own reason and their
'wn will, as the sole aim and end of great
;lyllIsatlons, as the sole instruments Of
'nnglng about the great general truths that
people may wish to engraft into its laws.
otner governments are but guardianships.
Ivowals OF the eternal n,;nor:,,, .r f''