Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-01-04
6tstorttal.
France.
THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE.

FRANCE is approaching another revolution -
or the future is but deceptively fore.shadowed.
The affair OF June is far from being eradicated
miserable and abortive as was the scheme that
then deluged Paris in the blood of her citizens.
it was but the germ of a greater movement, of
which Cavaignac and his supporters live in dali
~ fear. 1t does not seem to be pretended in
France, that the present military government is
expectedto be durable one while, on the 9TH
lei hand, the frienSs Or tie E, ap1e skzf.sssF-
ing u aes IlDit q aidSlitaiii ii aftsr the mill
tary power is dissolved. Consequently the public
mind is filed with gloom. The opinion is quite
prevalent, that Cavaignac and the National AS
sembly will find it impossible to establish the
Republic, which induces the important question
how is it to be got rid of without another con-
fict? With all the discipline and force now
employed for the purpose, backed by vivid rec
objections of June, it is no easy matter to main
tain order. What then will be the State of af-
fairs when that force and discipline are relaxed !?
But even that may be esteemed remote con-
sideration, in comparison with others which the
existing state Of things in France seems to war.
rant. The tenure Of the present power is by
virtue Of a military triumph over the populace
it can be maintained therefore, so long as the
populace are unable to return the compliment to
the military, and no longer. In France, of all
countries on the eastern hemisphere, is such a
tenure precarious. The disposition ofthe mil
itary-even the troops of the line-to fraternze
with the populace when formidable demonsra.
ton is once made, is proverbial. The liability
to military conspiracies, among the troops quar-
tered in Paris, is matter of common history.
Hence the uncertainty and danger which daily
surrounds and hangs over a government, unset
tied in itself, and supported chiefly by such ad-
juncts. 1t is by no means improbable then, that
the duration ofthe present government Of France
may not be coeEal even with its disposition to
retain the military power as a pillar of support
We are assured that the peasantry are anxious
for change, and with them are very large
number of the inhabitants of the metropolis -
while on the other hand, the friends of or
der in Paris cannot be relied upon to take part
in another conflict
All experience has demonstrated, that govern
ing by standing army, car be, at best, but a
temporary expedient. ANY representative assem-,
bly,, however elected or selected, however acqui
escent or even, subservent will, in the course OF
'Ns'isdicata civil authority; End unless an
ism shall under BGxa.
lnmer a representa-.
lament can permanently rest
'6n an army nay, the army itsefis certain, SOON
er or later, to become the despot of the despot
and he that trusts to it alone is sure to expert
ence fatal consequences. What shall we say
then, when it is remembered that the power and
permanence of the present government Of France
is erected on the personal frmness of Cavaignac
and the balls and bayonets of his soldiers
The intentions of Gen. Cavaignac are no doubt
excellent, and the enlightened men of France
would gladly accept such a republic as he would
establish. But they have not the energy to sec
ond his efforts while outside of Paris and 9
few of the large towns of the Provinces, the
bulk Of the population are in favor of anothe
change and even in Paris and the towns, they
have many sympathisers.
We are obliged to confess, therefore, will
equal sincerity and sorrow, that it is no easy mat
ter to see through the difficulties which just nov
press upon the government of France. All i
doubt and disorder. She is in moral earth
quake, and what portion of the political edfc
may survive the shock, no mortal eye can fore
see. We hope she has passed through the stag
OF massacre, and that her future movements ma
be bloodess. But there is too good reason 70
experimenting the reverse, and they are appre
hended by those other citizens who would glad
ly turn from so melancholy contemplation
they could. The confidence of the American
in the French Republic has been great, and gu
public rejOicings in that behalf, have witnesse
the sincerity with which we extended the RICH
hand of fellowship to enfranchiscd brethren
None are more effected by the gloomy "Pictur
of Paris" which more recent arrival of new
has spread before us, than those WHO rejoced q
her deliverance. Still we have hope but W
repeat, France is approaching another revolution
or the future is deceptively foreshadowed.-
Er. Paper.
A1iGrrIInttrn1IG