The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-06
Onr foreign Correspondence.



portant political changes which have taken place il
Europe during three months absence, | pro
pose, nevertheless, writing 10 you, in accordanc
with your request, giving my impressions on wha
is passing around me, and endeavoring to give yo
such information concerning the political and othe
events of the day as think may interest YOU
When left Germany, in the middle of May last
the whole country bordering the Rhine was on tin
eve of a complete insurrection. The Austrians wer
being beaten in Hungary, and foed before Ven
ice; the French were besieging Rome, and IN,
German armies were battling against the Danes IN
Schleswg Holstein. return 10 find that revolution
is every where suppressed, and that Legitimate
power holds the sword over a subdued people. The
Russian Car had proclaimed annihllauon OF reVo-
luton, wherever IT might be found, ana ne mas
made good his threat Driven from city To city,
from nation 10 nation, TO the very confines OF Eu-
rope, il has at last been crushed by MS armies ON
the plains of Hungary. With the fall of Venice is
effaced the last vestige of revolution in Europe,
and with il ends one act OF the great drama which
was commenced in February, ls4s; and the world
looks on anxiously 10 see what the end of these
things NAV be-to know what steps the differ
ent powers of Europe, now assured of present sta
bility, may take to secure themselves for the flu
ture ~
Very important changes have taken place during
my three months absence: the intervention Of Rus
sa in Hungary-of Prussia in Saxony, Baden and
Bavaria-ofthe French at Rome, and the Austrians
in Tuscany and the Papa States, Cat Ancona and
Bologna 1.-THE instructions in Saxony, Baden, and
along the Rhine-the light of their rulers and
their reinstatement by Prussian arIns--the dissolu
ton of the German Parliament and the bursting of
the bubble of German unity-the peace in Piedmont
and Scheswig- Holstein-the captulation of Rome
the submission of Hungary, and the fall of Venice;
these among the important events which will
serve to render those three months famous in his
tory. As result of these Europe is now in com
paratve state of tranquity--at least so far as re-
CARDS the internal condition of the various nations
which compose it, the political sea still agitated to
be sure, and showing indubtable traces of the ter
rible storm which has convulsed il for the past
eighteen months, but with more breakers in view;
and these 'sships of State are counting losses
reporting damages, and are being put in condition
TO resist all similar tempests.
In France, atthis moment, all spartculary quiet.
The government succeeded in catching nearly all
the great leaders and agitators of the Red Repub-
school, in insurrectionary trap, in June last
and putting to flight those whom il failed TO i'm
prison, seems to be oleraby from all trouble
from that quarter, at least for the present. An
American is apt to have his democratic ideas of a
republic somewhat shocked on seeing the kind of
government which our "sster" here seems 70 re-
qure He will find that, except in name, little is
in common with our Republic. Universal suffrage,
to be sure--that sheet anchor of republicanism-is
here, but il is much to be doubted whether, under
such form of government as France possesses and
with such population, 1t is not rather evil than
benefit. The old system of Capitalization is still
in full force under the monarchy and officers ap-
pointed in Paris play the despot in the departments,
in every corner Of France, over people TO whom
they are not responsible, and who have voice in
their election Capitalization, In the absorption to
ITSELF by government of the great channels of in
dusry, TO the great detrment of private enterprise
still continues az of yore. Freedom of speech and
of the press is less tolerated than under Louis Phil
ippe. The right of assembling TO discuss political
matters-to obtain which the French overturned a
throne and created republics now denied them,
and the law clubs Is more severe than under the
old dynasty; and these freernen of France cannot
assemble together without permission from the
police, which, by the way, seems to be as much
cupied in political matters though another
Fouche directed it. Foreigners get orders 10 quit
the country suspicion of political taint and po-
iitical refugees from Germany, Hungary, and Italy
denied even the privilege Of transit through this
land of 'iberty, equality and fraternity where
the three words Just quoted meet the doors
Of every public building throughout the country
The members OF the government and the officials in
the departments are of tendencies generally any
thing but republican. Those appointed by the pro-
yisional government have been turned out TO make
place for those holding office under Louis Philippe
and sort Of spiteful pleasure seems TO be mani
tested in erasing from the statute book every Law
and ordnance Of that (the professionally government
The moderate Republican party has think, expired;
the political struggles in France will be hereafter
in my opinion, between the Red Republicans and the
Monarchiss; the last elections showed that tendency
conclusively.
The policy of the Republic az given in Lamar
tines famous circular, has been any thing but fol
lowed by the present government. Instead Of pro-
tecting nationaities and Justly acquired liberties
she has on all sides, by force Of and by con
sent destroyed them; has annulled some Of the
greatest rights laid down IN the constitution, and
i pursuing policy worthy Of any despotic govern
ment.
II would seem that this government no more
than the majority of the world does not believe in
The continuance Of the Republic a, such, in thus
pursuing a system such one would suppose none
but the most assured monarchy would adopt, when
il has by ts constitution the end Of three years
.ba of
not allow a second term 10 the president, permit
even one Of ms relations Ia succeed him. Should
the Republic tomorrow become a kingdom or an
empire, France would opine, scarcely feel the
change in it, government
Not a reform which sought for by those who
set the ball of revolution in motion here II obtained
One Of the great causes of outcry 10 the opposition
Of the old government was the great army and the
enormous expenditure The army, since the year
rs has never been great now, nor the coun-
try, at any time during Louis Phihppe's admins
tration, saddled with 40 tremendous expenses az
this time According o. the budget for 1850, A.
given by the Minister Of Finance, France requires
FOR that years expenditures sos millions Of francs:
$50 millions Of which are for the army and marine
He makes out probable deficiency Of $50 millions,
which has got 10 be met in way, and propose
means Of raising that amount partly by new taKes
(amOng them an income tax and partly by loan
and issue of treasury bOnds-tbe usual manner
adopted by his predecessors Of shifting the respOn-
sibility meeting the deficit fairly upon their
expenses Of republican France, almost 100 millions
Of which are for the maintenance Of it armed
force
France seems, in fact like most Of it, neigbbors
fast yerging towards bankruptcy. All Of the great
powers Of Europe have immense debts, have q
yearly deficit in their treasuries 10 be- supplied by
loan or some other artificial remedy, and have al
at this moment their armies footing
should general war break out and il can be posi-.
bic at any time, general bankruptcy Of the Who'll,
III these rotten governments would seern 10 be in
eyitable. Why, even England, that "Inodel Of ma
tons and Of governments" sinks every year from
.. sI---a y,iions Of dollar N debit: IL paying
every year lac, 600, interest money her in
debtedness What would she DO in case Of war.
which would dry up most certainly her principal
sources Of revenue, and add enormously W her eN-
penses Of government We think, in the business
world, that when mans receipts less than biz
expenses, he is on the road " certain ruin. The
same axiom ought 10 hold good in respect 10 ma
tons.
The statement Of the Bank Of France, Just pub.
lshed, shows very singular condition. The
specie n ts vaults amounts ~ 800 200 900, the bill
IN circulation 4Os 900 600 with the certainty that
IN a few weeks more the specie will exceed the
bJls while at the same time, by ordinance
II the old provisional government, the only ono
Of ts laws which still remains in force the bills
are not redeeinable in specie Could 4 proper cir
10.