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

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
81 know that great many writers in the United
States will have Il that democracy is progressive
here in France-still progressive and hourishing-
and that he who happens to think and say, from
the evidence Immediately before him, that it is
Progressive, is forthwith bounced on as having no
sympathy with liberal movements or else is but
retailer of reactonary 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 il, it may be ne.
cessary to state that some ten days since number
Of persons were tried, by the Paris court of
sizes, for having printed and distributed petition
praying for an APPEAL 10 the people 10 The 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, were acquitted, whcreupon the
4ssembiee Rationale says:
"'The jury has opened new and fruitful path to
intelligence. The country will longer permit
the Government TO be escamofe, Cheated or Jug
gled) 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 10 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 Gath 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
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 to for
get that the authors and promulgaors of the obnox
ious document were only calling for the exercise Of
that great democratic principle and prcrogative-
the undoubted and UNREASONABLE right Of the peo-
pie 20 choose their own form Of government. They,
the democratic Socialists, ono day set up universal
suffrage the basis and foundation Of all true lib
erty, and the next fearful TO il exercised lest
IL may upset the bungling structure they have
erected If the real vote Of France could be taken
to morrow, honestly believe that return to some
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 Tor space,
perhaps for two years, its great strength lying in
the divisions in the ranks Of its opponents. And
when il does fall, and men inquire the real cause,
they will find that all has been owing to the reck-
essness, extravagancc, and ncapacity Of those who
called II into being. But the men of the oath Feb
runry-the Louis Blancs, Lcdru Rollins, Sobriers,
Blanqus and all of that class-in their obstinacy or
stupidity, or both, will never know this; for
fortunately IL $50 Of the characteristics Of the
who in ls4S sought TO regcneratc Francc-to over
throw the old despotism, and build up new and
liberal insttutions-that they either have not the
candor 10 avow, or the capacity TO discover, the
causes of their own failure. II would always have
been more satisfactory TO me, and TO my readers
well, had been able, in my letters, to give more
institutions in Europe. Yet believe that my
readers will in the end thank me for giving them
the truth At all events, TO the extent Of my hum
bic abilities, i shall continue to deal in it,