The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-03
TIL E RE UBLIC.
speech OF Odiion BarrOt, ina the National
Assembly, ON the nth instant.

speech of Odilon Barrot, ina the National
Assembly, ON the 18th instant.
The Assembly met without much external APP
pearance, inside or out, OF that excitement which
general rumor would have led TO expect neverthe-
less, the whisper ran that the members of the Noun
tain were in committee, preparing act of accusa-
ton against the President and Ministers for a
violation of the constitution, signed by 200 names
The order of the day being the interpretations of
NJ Ledru Rollins, regarding Italy, that gentleman
said that there were supreme moments when time
of immense importance, as in the present In
stance; for the interpretations that few days ago
might have done good were now comparatively
useless when facts were accomplished. Ii was now
certain that the French and the Romans had been
engaged IN more than one sangunary combat, ana
on both sides the losses were severe. The French
had not made any impression, and General Oudinot
was now himself obliged to ask an armistice.
Under the present circumstances ne woud apah-
don the interpretations of which he had given notice,
for he thought they could now lead to nothing.
General OudinOt's conduct In his opinion infa-
nous /; and he would declare that he saw but one
course left and that act OF accusation against
the President of the Republic and his Minister'S and
he would in consequence present an act OF Impeach-
ment. M. Odilon Barrot commenced by saying
that no information of the kind referred to by M.
Ledru Rollin had reached the Government The
last information was the despatch of General
Oudinot and he thought the honorable gentleman
should not at such moment hazard such state
ments as he had ventured to repeat. The motive
for disseminating such news was TO disturb the pub
lie mind.
The effect would fail, for the country acknow-
lodged that the Government had been actuated by
the desire of protecting the of liberty IN the
Roman States. The honorable Minister then con-
tended that the Governmentha had followed the course
pointed out by the Constituent Assembly, and that
il was until negotiation had failed OF effect that
the French penipotentary was recalled and orders
sent to General Oudinot TO act he denied that the
French Republic had any sort of resemblance with
of Ross and in refusing TO recognise that Republic,
France only followed the resolutions of the Con-
stituent Assembly.
He dwelt on the fact that the National Assembly
had refused to recognise the Roman Republic The
expedition to Italy had been in accordance with the
will of the Assembly. The expedition was con-
ceived in a spirit of peace, and yet without any
ceived with cannon balls. M. Drouyn de lHuys
had twice called on the Assembly to say if their
desire was that the troops should retire. and ne was
answered by M. Senard, in the name of the COM
mittee for foreign affairs, that such course was
desired, so that the maintenance Of the French
troops at Rome was authorized by a vote OF the
Assembly.
time. Nj. Ledru Rollin replied by arguing that
the intentions of the Constituent Assembly had
been perverted. He told Ministers they had blood
on their heads, and concluded by declaring they
would maintain the constitution, even by an appeal
TO arms. A shout of Indignation was raised by the
majority. The Monographs, on the other hand,
supported their chief re-echong what he said, that
they would maintain the constitution by arms.
General Bedeau rushed to the tribune, and de-
nounced the presumption of minority attempting
to dictate the majority by threats of exciting the
country, and raising the people out Of doors.
M. Theirs exclaimed, that the cry ".auI
ames" had been uttered it was beneath the dignity
of the Assembly to continue the discussion. I'm
fortunately the Assembly divided on the orders OF
the day. pure ct simple, when the numbers we're
For the motion 36l
Against it 203
Majority for Ministers -l5S
On the 18th instant the most interesting proceed
ines occurred. M. Odilon Barrot assembled the
tribune, and said that the sitting of yesterday had
brought on direct provocation.' This morning q
great agitation existed IN Paris and revolutionary
meetings took place. Groups of people, and ma.
tiona guards in uniform, formed themselves, and
cries were uttered against the Government. The
authorities were ready and means of repression
prepared As soon the groups marched upor
the Assembly they were dispersed; but cries o
.aar barricades" were uttered, which the people be
gan to put into execution. ! expect every monen
the arrival of reports, but the circumstances ar
sufficiently grave to call for the sitting of the As
sembly en- permnnence in order to provide for al
hazards, without weakness or precipitation. lfthi'
revolt should extend TO an armed instruction,
shall ask you for more extended powers, circum
stances not allowing of hesitation.
NJ Barrot begged Of the Chamber TO retire TO IL
bureaux TO discuss the project of the permGnenoe
the Assembly and the question of the state of siege
The urgency of the motion was voted by the AS
sembly almost unanimously, the Mountain abstain
ing The members then retired. Al the resumed
sitting M G. de Beaumont read report declaring
there was good reason for adopting the bill declar
ing Paris IN a state Of siege After short discus
sion in the course Of which General Cavalgna
spoke strongly against the conduct of the Noun
tain, the bill was adopted. The President then IN
formed the Assembly that ~. Suchet du Var ha
been arrested, and demanded whether the aires
would be authorized by the Assembly. he an
other members Of the Mountain had held a meetIn
at the Conservatiene des Arts at Meters, and ha
gone to invite the national guard 10 join them. Th
arrest Of NJ. Suchet authorized also that Q
Messrs. Devile, Margne, Damie, Pills, Bach
Vautier, and Farguer Fayolle, representative
who had been arrested.