The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-06-13
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.
PARIS. Nav %, 1850.

COnElUN CURNEOI UNDENOEs
PARIS, May 30, 1850.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
The general debate on the bill against univer-
sal suffrage closed last night after an animated
discussion of two days NJ Victor Hugo ON the
first day, and M. Camel on the second, bore off
the honors Of the struggle. The heart of Hugo,
the great poet, beats always on the right side
His speeches on the expedition to Rome the
transportation Of political convicts, the bill of
public instruction, and the bill against suffrage,
place him among the first orators. Parts Of his
speech on Tuesday compare advantageously with
those of Cicero; and the Roman orator never
pronounced nobler one than that in which
Hugo appealed for mercy in behalf of condemned
patriots. These orations are gems in French
litssstasc, and destined 10 End adsairers as
long as there are Frenchmen whose hearts throb
with sympathy for the unfortunate. A medal
has been struck in their honor and such was the
rage to have the last, that edition of one hun
dred thousand was exhausted in less than week.
NJ. canet is an advocate of some celebrity. He
was for seven years Procureur General under
liberal opinions and manly sentiments In com.
mon with his countrymen, he hailed with joy the
arrival of the February revolution. Unlike
many of them, his republican faith has been
strengthened by time. Opposed alike TO the
violence of the Mountain and of the Reaction, he
has kept himself on the Left of the Centre. His
speech Of yesterday WAS the outspeaking of an
honest man and an able orator. Never before
was the President Aagelated 80 numerically,
and yet in parliamentary rules. The bill was
criticised in the most mastery manner, and
sharp satire and overwhelming inveotive forced
the majority to produce their best orator 10
answer M. Montalembert undertook this task,
but did not succeed in anything but few coarse
personal attacks which appeared to please his
party M Canet has revealed political talents of
a very high order, and marked his place as a
future minister. The effect produced by his
speech was so great, that half the Assembly left
their seats on the close of it to congratulate him.
and the sitting was suspended for half an hour.
NJ Leon Faucher reported the bill last Satur-
day, and the Assembly adjourned until Tuesday
partly to prepare for the discussion, and partly TO
observe the feast of Pentecost. The report is as
jesuitical rs expected, which is all that can be
said of it. It takes the ground that the bill is
quite constitutional.
M Lamar,ine has gained no oratorical honors
or any others this time How could he, after
attacking universal suffrage in his Counsellor Of
the People, be eloquent in its defence7 M Lamori-
ciere has not spoken, and it is said he will not
as he expects shortly the staff Of Marshal Of
France. This is little scandal which you must
not attach importance to, unless it should turn
out to be true. M Theirs true to his character
of mover Of cats paws, has not spoken at all. NJ
Berger and M Mole have followed the same
prudent example Few Of the majority dare to
speak, because they know that the fate Of the
man Who advocates this law is sealed. The act
will kill him politically, il the Republic survive.
But the majority will pass the bill. They are
determined to wreak on universal suffrage the
lesson given them by the people Of Paris, just as
they destroyed the clubs which exposed their
conduct, and passed laws to cripple the press
which dared to censure them. Like snarling
dogs they bite the stick which strikes them Or
they may be compared to the barbarians brought
to fight In the gadistorial shows Of Rome; when
their enemy struck them on the arm, they put
their hand ON the spot when he struck them on
the head, they carried their hand to the head
but never thought Of attacking the enemy him
self
The difficulty with England has lost all i'm
pcrtance. After delay Of six days, the diplo-
matte correspondence has been laid on the desks
OF members. II Is folio Of 240 pages, full Of dry
letters from Athens, London, and Paris. When
! say 1t has lost all importance, mean that no.
body anticipates any fighting IL H. however,
S'gn OF the tendency Of the French Government
toward the Russian alliance. This view is taken
~ La Rer~ d>s Dear Mosdes . fast friend Of the
Government. Speaking Of this subject, and the
'o's OF the last ally Of France. IL eIclsims: We
are reduced to the necessity Of turning our eyes
o"nndently toward st. Petersburg, but this Is not
our 'au''| Lord Normandy, the English ambas-
sador, has not LEFT Paris, aud Il Il ssid does no.
expect to leave or be recalled The explanation
Of this ID, that the resolution to recall M. de
THuys from London was take, bv tia Cabinet
In opposition to the will Of the President. who
wrote 10 Lord PAlmerston to that eject. The
Cabinet threatened to retire Immediately, unless