The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-04-25
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.

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To The Editor of the National Era:
We had cold, freezing weather until within
day or two past, when milder air and constant
showers have ushured in the spring. The large
soft buds are starting out on the limbs of the
elms of the Luxembourg and the walks of its
groves and gardens are once more lively with gay
children, chasing hoops, decrepid old men resting
on their gold.headed canes, as they stop to gaze
after the merry youngsters pensive students with
their books, and yonder, in the sunny side of the
greenhouse, are half dozen workmen reading
the newspapers. My windows overlook this gar
den--an epitome Of the gra } city of Paris The
palace of the Luxembourg, memorable for its
Chamber Of Peers, but more so for the sessions of
the Industrial Congress, presided over by M.
Louis Blanc, is visible through the trees 10 the
distance, at the end of long avenue of elms,
rises, high above the surrounding houses, the
dome Of the Pantheon In the vaults of that
immense sepulchre of the mighty dead of France
is the tomb of Jean Jacques Rousseau. A hand,
holding lighted torch, is protruded from the
head of the tomb, and underneath is the inscrip-
ton "Though dead, he illumines the wordn
To the left rises the tall towers of old St Sui.
pice, and to the right the glazed dome of the OBJ
servatory. Not bad panorama of France
workmen, idlers, national monuments, national
vanity, magnificent temples reared to worthless
priesthood and to science What a world Paris
is and how delightful life is in this balmy ci-
mate in this city, filled with all that science has
invented or art accomplished Here, too, is the
political centre of Europe. The statesmen of
other countries on the continent keep their faces
turned toward the capital of France as steadily
as the Mussulman does his to the east when he
prays Democratic zephyr from France makes
fifty Cabinets chilly, and stiff Socialist breeze
throws half a dozen monarchs of shattered con-
stitution into fever
Never did France occupy the attention of Eu-
rope more than now. In the light of the questions
under discussion, the Greek difficulty becomes a
mere matter of shutting up few corn-dealers
shops more or less the return of the Pope, a
parish squabble; and the complications of Ger
many wranglings between half dozen fair
haired, blue-eyed, Emphatic gentlemen, none of
whom knows what he wants. The policy of every
country in Europe is to a certain ointinfuenced
by that of every other All Europe is united in
interest as much as New York and Pennsylvania.
The parties in different countries are united with
those OF the same name in every other. But Paris
is the centre and head of all. Certainly, the po-
litical face Of Europe would be more changed by
the formation of great German Empire Of forty
millions, than by any change whatever in France
But the order for German Empire must be
given from Paris. What can the German Demo-
Gratis do against their Kings, until the sympathy
and influence of France are thrown on their side
Look atthc vast importance Of the questions
now occupying the French People. The right Of
reunion, the liberty Of the press, the bankruptcy
of the nation, the independence of the clergy the
accord between the Executive and Legislative
powers, the maintenance Of the past majority, the
change Of the form Of Government, the submits
sion to the popular vote of the question between
Republic and Monarchy. France is in state OF
transition-she is passing from monarchical habits
and ideas to republican ones; and her politics are
of alpitatng interest. Every stage Of the change
is interesting and worthy Of study. We should
watch it as the physician does the alterations in
the physical condition Of a patient under treat
ment for lunacy produced by intoxicating liquors
Let us examine more closely the situation. At
the date Of our last the union between the Presi-
dent and the Legislative majority appeared per-
feet. The contract Of marriage had been signed
and sealed by the President and chiefs Of the ma
jority. Nothing was omitted to give due soem-
nifty to the ceremony. 1t was declared, with a
flourish of trumpets, to be necessary to the safety
of society, menaced by Socialism. Alas nothing
remains Of this union. II has been swept away
The chiefs have been disavowed by their follow
ers At present, M. Bonaparte pulls one way
NM. Mole, Theirs, Berger, and Montalembert
a second and the rank and file of the majority, q
third. The bill against the press is seriously en-.
dangered Amendments are demanded, and will
be enforced.
Two weeks ago, the provincial press Of the Con.
servative party was clamorous for laws against
the Socialist press and sealous In the cause of the
Cabinet. Now, every press in France denounces
the Cabinet as awkward, ignorant, feeble, stupid,
and irresolute. One exception should be made