Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-03-22
Foreign Correspondence of the Mo Republican.
LETTER II.
NEAR PARIS, Feb. Hh ,'1S49.


NEAR Paris, Feb. Hh, 'lS49.
rLEMEN: We have had a comedy
in one act played at Paris by the eccen-
tic ministry that now directs The destiny Of
France. The piece came off on the 29th
Of January, to the sound Of drums and by
the light Of cleaning bayonets. To UNI
derstand wherefore this exhibition was
given to the French people and to the
world, it must be borne in mind that the
ministry has, from the very day of its for
nation, teen in open war with the Nation
al Assembly. 1t has declared the adjourn
ment Of the Assembly necessary but the
truth is, that the organic laws Of the Re-
public are not yet passed; that the consti-
tuition, which is little but a collection Of
general principles, leaves the internal or
ganization of France much as it was un-
der Louis Philippe. Unless, therefore,
the Assembly wishes to abandon the Re-
public 70 monarchists Of all colors, it should
not dissolve. The question Of dissolution
was brought forward in the Assembly by
the friends Of the ministry, and it was
known for about two weeks beforehand
that the discussion, and probably the vote,
would take place on the 18th.
The means employed TO influence the
Assembly, are curious, and extremely in
structive as 10 the manner Of doing things
in France. During these two weeks, the
theatres favorable TO the ministry produc-
ed the most satirical pieces against the AS
sembly the shop windows Of the picture
sellers abounded with caricatures of its
members and the ministerial news papers
exhausted all Heterogeneous and all their
powers of coaxing and threatening. AT
the suggestion Of the ministry, and through
the agency ofthe hundred thousand func-
tionaries Of the government, petitions for
the dissolution of the Assembly were
poured in from all parts Of France. A
copy of one Of these famous circulars OF
the Minister Of the Interior, was procur-
ed in some way by member of the As.
sembly. This circular says: "The frs,
necessity of the country is the dissolution
OF the Assembly. The country ought tc
protest against an arbitrary dicta,ion which
becomes from day to day more intolerable
Let petitions flow in from all points Of
France to claim the prompt realization o.
the national wish expressed by the vote Of
The 10Th December" The circular then
speaks of the Assembly as tour adverse.
ries who are the adversaries Of order,
and says '.let the Assembly know that its
work is accomplished"
The ministry had previously Withdrawn
all the projects OF laws it had presented
this left the Assembly with comparatively
nothing to do.
Mr. Barrot and his colleagues lost nc
opportunity to insulttlle Assembly, repeat.
ing in every one of their speeches that il
was time for the Assembly to dissolve.
The ministry presented project Of law
to shut up instantly every club and politi-
cal reunion, knowing that the Assembly
could not adopt it without violating the
spirit and letter of the constitution.
AlIthe projects and chief officers through
the country, who were known 10 be Re.
pubhcans, were removed from office.
But as little disorder of some sort in
Paris was absolutely necessary, in order
10 serve Us a pre,ext for coup de main
against the Assembly, the ministry provi-
ded for this also in several ways:
First, by opening the course of lectures
by Monsiur Shermieur, who had been
hooted down and almost mobbed by the
students under Louis Philippe, and who
was certain to be mobbed by them at his
opening lecture. This gentleman is no,o-
rious for having sold himself to Louis
Philippe.
Secondly, by dissoiving half the battal-
ions Of the Mobile guard, and arresting
under circumstances of great brutality,
four of its principal officers.
Thirdly, by threats to dismiss at cnce
all the troops Of the Republican Guard.
These violent and unexpected measures
exasperated, Of course, these troops, who
had been SO much honored by the preced-
ing administrations.
Orders were sent several days before
the 29tl, to officers at different garrisons
near Paris, to supply their troops with
ammunition, and have them ready 10 start
at moments notice Tor Paris. Several d.
visions Of troops were ordered 10 move on,
Paris Immediately and didarrive the 29th.
i For several days before the 2oth, the
ministry labored in every way to widen
the breach between it and the Assembly.
On the morning of the 2Ylh, the most sim
gularly pertinent articles appeared in the
government party papers. ia presse,"
for instance, gave an article full Of advice
for the people, advice which applied in all
its parts to the situation that the ministry
was about to make for Paris the Constitu-
tional, invited the National Assembly to
choose pacific dissolution rather thar
forcible one;and the Journal des Debats, clos
ed prudent article with these remarkable
words, "These days Of 18th Brumaire, are
neither accordingto our principles or taste
The Gazette dc France, royalist paper,
said, on the same morning, perhaps to-
day, even hereditary principle will bring
back the heir"
Not only at Paris, but in the depart
ments, the government papers published
these remarkable articles on the 29th.-
LIE Journal p.aisne, says: We can atfim
with knowledge that the ministry is deci-
dedto do its duty. All France will fol-
low after it in the combat which it will be 1
necessary 10 offer to the eternal enemies