The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-11

The following is from the Paris correspondence of
the New Orleans Picayuns, and is written by G..
W. KENDALL, esq, of the editors of that paper,
now sojourning in France:
al know that great many writers in the United
States will have IL that democracy is progressive
here in France-still progressive and fourishing-
and that he who happens TO think and say, from
the evidence Immediately before him, that il is
Progressive, is forthwith bounced on as having no
sympathy with liberal movements or else is but
retailer of reactionary falsehoods. At the risk of
drawing down upon myself fresh avalanche of
animadversion, must call attention TO the follow
ing sentence from the columns of the Assemble Ma
fionaIe. But before introducing it, il may be ne
cessary TO state that some ten days since a number
of persons tried, by the Paris court Of
Sizes for having printed and distributed petition
Poying for an apDeai 10 the people as TO 1ie form
Of government most desirable founded on the fact
according to the petition that the present Republic
had been a surprise, and the confirmation Of il by
the Constituent Assembly coercion. These per-
sons, thus accused, we're acquitted, whcrcupon the
AsseBsbtee Rationale says:
"'The jury has opened new and fruitful path TO
intelligence. The country will no longer permit
the Government 10 be escamote, Cheated or Jug
ged.) We may now freely appreciate the divers
forms which society may give TO itself. Petitions
may be addressed TO the Assembly, and universal
suffrage may be called upon TO pronounce. France
may ask, "What is the best social form in order to
get rid, by legal vote, OF the system and the men
Of the oath Of February" This principle has been
happily consecrated by the verdict Of the Jury and
we arc rejoiced at this conquest over tho revo
luton
"The democratic and social journals of Paris
were up in arms the moment they got hold Of the
above petition, and called loudly for the punish
ment OF those who bad printed and distributed it,
In their excessive zeal they seemed entirely 10 for
get that the authors and promugators OF the obnox
ious document only calling for the exercise of
that great democratic principle and prerogative-
the undoubted and unquestionable right Of the peo
pie TO choose their own form Of government. They,
the democratic Socialists ono day set up universal
suffrage the basis and foundation Of all true lib
cry, and the next are fearful 10 il exercised lest
il may upset the bungling structure they have
erected. III the real vote of France could be ken
To- morrow, honestly believe that return to
kind of monarchy would be the result. And if
the ultra Democrats and Socialists did not think so,
why do they eternaly preach the doctrine that the
republic is above the will Of the Majority Yet the
republic, such il is, will continue FOR space,
perhaps for two years, its great strength lying in
the divisions in the ranks of its opponents. And
when IL docs fall, and inquire the real cause,
they will find that all has been owing 10 the reck
lessncss, extravaganza, and incapacty ofthos who
called IL into being. But the men Of the oath Feb
ruary-the Louis Blancs, Lcdru Rollins, Sobriers,
Banquis and all Of that cassin their obstinacy or
fortunately IL is Of the characteristics Of the
who in ls4S sought TO regcneratc Francc-to over
throw the old dcspotism, and build up new and
liberal institutons-that they either have not the
candor 10 avow the capacity 10 discover, the
causes Of their own failure. II would always have
been satisfactory TO me, and 10 my readers as
well, had been able, in my letters, to give more
institutions in Europe Yet I believe that my
readers will in the end thank me for giving them
the truth At all events, 10 the extent of my hum
bic abilities, shall continue 10 deal in II.