The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-01-19
Revolutionary France
). OF forms Of government LEI fools coufest-
That which Is best administered Is best. -

The full returns Of the French election have not
vet bee, received. but from The complexion Of those
| already known it would appear that the unanimify
with which the people have declared their prefer
ence for Louis Napoleon. almost equals that dis
played when the great Napoleon himself was can
didate for popular favor. Cavaignac, Rollin, La
maritime and Raspail, have scarcely secured enough
votes to form respectable minority; and if it be
true that every ballot cast for Napoleon was pro-
test against the Republic, we may consider that
form OF government virtually at an end in France.
For all the good the revolution has achieved it
might as well have never happened, and we do
not wonder that many of the unrefscting desire a
return to monarchy. 1t is now nearly year since
the people of Paris drove Louis Philippe from his
capital, changed the form of Government, abolished
monarchy, and adopted republication. Bright an
ticipations were formed, men were inspired with
new hopes, and the commencement of social
millennium was predicted. How have these expec-
tations been realized! What benefits have at
tended upon the change of political forms! To
our mind the value of any particular form of gov
eminent must be tested by its effects If, therefore,
under a republic, the condition of the governed is
the same as under monarchy-if the same princi :
Piles prevail and the same men are in power-we can
ifot Sec Wldt Trdl tdug iuic tiCic 10
between the two systems 1t is true, there is some
thing captivating to the fancy in the name of repub-
>icanism, but as it naturally ELECTS confidence
it renders unenghtened people more liable TO be
imposed upon by political charlatans and knaves
What difference is it to the French people whether
Louis Philippe be King, or Louis Napoleon Presl-
dent? If their titles had been reversed, we do not
think the structure of society or the condition of
the people would have been at all affected by the
change. The men who accomplished the revolu-
ton We're sincere; the people, when they accepted
the Republic, were sincere; but unfortunately for
the cause Of democracy, they have not since then
been able to advance single step. Not one of
the reforms, so desired and desirable, has been
made; but, on the contrary, when endurance could
endure no longer; when the cheat became palpa-
Bile, and the people demanded that the measures
and principles for which they had contended be-
hind the barricades of February, should be put in
practical operation, they were answered by the
artillery of Cavaignac and the bayonets of the Ma
tonal Guard. The emeute Of May, and the insur-
rection of June, were only further development
Of the same ideas which prompted the revolution.
They revolts of social progress against social
abuses, and now we can only regret that they were
not successful The people might then have secured
that liberty, equality and fraternity, of which they
now have only the mockery of a name. For the
time being the true Republicans are conquered and
the Bourgoise in the as cendancy. The power
which now rules France is, though clothed in diff
ferent dress, and with more fascinating appear
ance, not different from that which controlled the
country a year ago. If, when Odon Barrot
proposed that a regency should be established,
his suggestion had been adopted, the nation would
have been just as well off as at present. Monsieur
Barrot would have been prime minister now he is
to be at the head of Napoleon's cabinet. He has
since then declared no change of opinion he only
accepted the Republic on suferance, and no one
will believe that his policy will differ at all
from that he would have adopted then. Some per-
sons may think The French people vastly benefited
by the adoption of universal suffrage. That GER
tainly would be considerable advance if it were
or could be used for beneficial purposes but where
it only subserves the personal vanity Of the voter,
is made the instrument for preserving nolerable
abuses and class Legislation, it might just as well
not exist The Republic is undoubtedly very fine
thing, and Louis Napoleon says he loves it most
tenderly; and so indeed he ougx, for without its
powerful aid he would probably have been at this
time lounging among the dandies of London His
uucfo was grateful W RcpuUilc fIldkiug lJn
Consul, but he did not object to being Emperor not.
withstanding his affection for the people. We do
not think Napoleon II will arrive at that pinnacle
Of greatness, for the causes are even now in opera.
ton which must inevitably produce his downfall
The Red Republicans, Socialists, asd Radicals of
all shades who voted for him to defeat Cavaignac,
will organize their forces for determined opposi-
ton, and we are much mistaken if six months
pass away without Witnessing another revolution
The revolution of 1889 produced much good, and
through it society made some progress but that
merely pulled down whe the mission of the present
one was to reconstruct. So far it has failed but
the failure will not be eternal. The time for a
change has come, and though it may be delayed
day, month or year, by those interested in the
maintenance of old abuses, the people will ulti.
mately triumph. 1.-THE mean time, as we have said
before, the Republic has SO far accomplished moth.
ing; under a change Of form and different name,
the reality is still the same.
N. Y. SUNDAY TIMEs-The New York Sunday
Times md Macso n0ar of Tho ~.b ;,,.. ~.