The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-25


The squall which disturbed the surface of French
politics has passed rapidly il came. Nor has
II produced any great revolution change The
only wreck has been that OF M Ferdinand Barrot
who disappeared amid the storm. A French gov
ernment generally loses home minister in conse-
quence OF elections. For these but too often go
against the ministry, and then the parsonage who
holds the Home department is blamed for not
deemlng the errors and unpopularity of the whole
cabinet M. Faucher sacrificed, on a similar
occasion, by the majority; which has regretted him
ever since. nj. Barrot has now disappeared, to no
ones regret.
II strangely happens that of the two parties
which dispute ministerial power, numbers
host OF capable men, while the other has not
with the experience and reputation of a minister;
and yet the party which have no experience is
anxious for power, while all the statesmen shrink
from it, There is something very like this going
on with us in England-not SO fragrant, however.
When the elections went in favor of the popular
side, the Thiers' the Moles, and the Montalemberts
raised cry that it all owing to the incapacity
Of the Presidents ministers. The President re-
piled most apty by asking them to take office.
But no--thcy would censure the performance, but
not undertake the task themselves.
NJ Theirs has all along said that if he ever ac-
cepted the ministry, II must be to do something,
and not to yegetate the executive of a republic
and the worker of constitution he despised In
other words, if M. Theirs in it would be for a
coup defat. But the majority have not boldness for
this any two OF them agreed to whom the coup
detat should be in favor Of M Theirs would not risk
itin order to make Louis Napoleon his emperor and
master; and Louis Napoleon will not let him do it
for any one else Besides, the principals for whom
these gentlemen would make revolution are not
very eager for it. Louis Philippe has no desire
again to behold French mob, nor yet has the Due
de Nemours. Even the Prince de Joinville talks of
founding an empire in the south Of Brazil Monte
video would suit him, and Lord Aberdeen is paving
the way for him. But the most strange reluctance
is that of the Duke of bordeaux, who will do no.
thing, and make effort to reconquer the crown of
France He doubts if it be worth having, or worth
keeping at the price Of either the cruelty or huil-
iation that must be exercised or endured in order
to maintain it.
Thus deserted by all parties, or unable at least to
trust any, Louis Napoleon, instead of having re-
course to popular acts, seems to place his hopes on
the activity Of his police. M. Baroche, who is a
KIND OF police attorney general is appointed home
minister. Now certainly the great Napoleon did
give great prominence to his system of police,
but ne at the same time covered the littleness of
his whole policy. His principles those now
protested by General Bedeau, who insists or insist
ed-for it is now almost too late-on repression at
home being counteracted by liberalism and glory
abroad. Once twice General Bedeau was
thought Of for the ministry, bat dplomatiss i'm
mediately interfered in fright, and insisted on
more pacific men.
The great point seems to be, to consider how the |
government is to recover popularity, acquire
force without it. Louis Napoleon has shown cour-
ageand liberalism in some things, such as his re-
sistancc to the occupation OF Switzerland, and to
Austro Russian demands; but these are not gener-
ally known On the other hand, the French are |
about to make way in Rome for the pope, whose |
councillors will signalize their return by all kinds
OF barbarism, bigotry, and cruelty. Every act of
this kind will re- echo in France, and further de-
dopularize Louis Napoleon, whose alliance with the
priests has done more than all else to render him |
odious to the mass of the French people.
In home policy, the only measure designed for |
the recovery of popularity is a crusade against the
press. Prosecutions are to be directed against the
liberal journals, and the old stamp duties and secu
rity deposits to be remposed. This is locking
the door after the steed is stolen The Socialist
and the Liberal press have done their worst I'M |
fortunately, the acts and policy of the government
well as the tone and the luminosity of the major
ity of the National Assembly, give matter and |
scope for the press to represent them every as
reactionists. The belief is widely spread. To gag
the press will now but confirm and corroborate it, |
And we may safely assert that all the efforts of nj |
Baroche to prosecute the Liberals, and of M earlier
to insult humble and arrest them, will but add to
the weakness and unpopularity of the government
When once the little shopkeepers Disguised |
by such policy, and condemn it by their votes, it
is surely high time to abandon it.
We see that even the Times deprecates such ac-
tive repression, and seems to think that the Mod
ern Council Of Ancienfs which Louis Napoleon has
composed of Messrs. Mole, Theirs, and Berryer,
promising to consult them all occasions, is not |
likely to appease rising discohtent, promote the
conservatives but is too sharp sighted not to per-
ceive their feebeness, fanaticism and folly.
STEAM TO AUsTRALIA.-The negotiation for a
monthly steam communication to the Australian |
colonies is understood to have been brought
ly TO point with the Peninsular and Oriental COM
pany that the only obstacle 10 its immediate con-