The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-01
[ooanrsposDrsox OF THE nEpvBLlc.I
France.
PANS, February 6, 1850.

France.
PARIS, February 6, 1850
Since the departure of the last steamer we have
had some tumult here. The project of police had
ordered the cutting down of most of the SO called
trees of liberty, under the pretence that they i'm
peded the business circulation, and of which many
hundreds were planted in various portions of Paris
in commcmoration of the revolution. The follow
ing out of his instructions by his agents excited in
some places great tumult, and necessitated the
presence of the military to dispense the mob. Many
of the policemen were severely handled, and one of
the people was 50 seriously wounded in rencontre
with the police that he has since died. General
Lamoriciere, who distinguished himsefb by his gal
liant behaviour in June, lS4S, and who has quite
lately returned from mission TO st. Petersburgh,
came very near being massacred by the mob
having been recognised and sezed-and was with
difficulty rescued
The so-called liberal and republican journals ac-
cusc the government of wantonly endeavoring to
excite the people TO revolt, in order to have pre-
text to put Paris under martial law, and thus to be
able to influence the elections TO the Chambers,
which are about to take place to fill the vacancies
caused by the expulsion of those who Ito the num-
Der Of twenty nine) were found guilty and sem
fenced having endeavored, in June, lS49, to
overthrow the existing government. All these
journals exhort the people to quiet, and tell them
that the government only wants an opportunity to
crush them, which an armed manifestation on their
part would give. They are entreated to wait for
the elections, when they can give the government
more serious check with their votes than
now. with their arms. These counsels have had
good effect; and Paris, which threatened
with serious disturbance three four days ago,
is now calm.
The Socialist party has behaved, for the success
of its cause, wisely. Its best course is to
main passive, and let the government be crushed
by the opposition which its own acts will excite
against it. have hitherto thought that the gov
eminent only wanted opportunity to crush the
Socialist party, and the recent events have CON
frmed me in that opinion.
The Socialist party is making enormous progress.
1t shelters itself behind the constitution; cries out
"treason' 'butnever "to arms; 'and
greatly the impolitic acts the government which
will not learn, what we in the United States know
well, that public opinion will not be forced.
The reinstatement of the tax potable liquors
the rigorous laws ON the press-and the continual
prosecutions by the police and courts of justice to
which the journals of the opposition subjected
the law on primary instructors, by which it is
said near $4,000 district school teachers will be
turned out of their employs, being infected with
Socalism-the laws forbidding political
blages or meetings-the increased expenses of
government, and by consequence increased in
dcbtcdness--the propositions for more taxes-a
standing army increased to 100000 men, and the
national guard decreased-(here in Paris alone
by 100 900, or oneh half WHAT was eighteen months
ago)-all these serve to make the government I'M
popular with the masses, skilfully acted upon as
they by the Socialist leaders, and thus listen,
greedily the other hand, to the fair promises of
the Socialist, who proposes moving society and
government to its very foundation Ito build an
entire new structure where all shall be happiness,
and want and oppression unknown. The poor
and suffering classes are thus easily tempted
They find their condition as bad, they think, it
be, and they judge that they cannot lose by
change; and that if they to have, by this
change, cheaper food and higher wages, is
promised them, they cannot but do well to make it.
BY it the rich are to become poorer, and the poor
richer, they are told and the doctrine suits them
amazingly.
The four great parties in the Chamber, besides
this, unite to keep Socialism in allegiance; and
those party-leaders, who have been in opposition
to each other all their lives, now in any thing
which concerns opposition to Socialism, shoulder
to shoulder IN the same ranks. Without this OPP
position, the government would be in very con-
siderable minority. 1t is supported now by some
Of its most bitter opponents, which is not because
IL Is loved more, but Socialism less. Occasionally,
These parties get in quarrel, and one then sees
how cordially they hate each other. Such an occa-
sion presented, in the course Of the past week,
when most scandalous scene resulted from one OF
the Legitimist party (Which wishes the restoration
of the Bourbon branch) having brought up an
old scandal against Louis Philippe thing that,
of course. the Philippist party warmly resented.
1t served to show srikingy the bitterness existing
between the two parties.
The government experienced the past week the
severest check in the Chamber it has yet received;
of the bills brought forward by il having been
rejected by near one hundred majority, owing
to n fraction Of the so-callcd moderate Repub-
lican party having voted with the opposition.
The President having declared, like jackson Of
old, that he accepts the responsibility" the min
listers will not resign on account OF check, or
even If kept in a minority. So at least it is de-
clared This is, Of course, in opposition TO the
traditions of France thus far, and in fact of all
Europe, but Of course in keeping with their new
institutions, TO which they not yet sufficiently
accustomed.
Trouble is feared for the oath Of February, the
anniversary Of the revolution Of 4s-the ''catas-
trophe Of February" II was called, amid ap-
plause, in lecture given at the University fort
night since, by Of their most celebrated profess
sors, before distinguished audience. The leaders
Of the extreme opposition, who in exile and
anxious TO return, desire a great manifestation;
those at home desire none for they feel too conf
dent in the strength Of their position TO desire 10
weaken il by any thing which could call down
upon them military or legal interference do not
doubt but they will do their utmost TO restrain
cesses-still, there may be riot and great agita-
ton throughout France. One il prepared now
adays for any thing There has not been day
for months that any one would have been surprised
at revolution, and yet these Frenchmen live on as
gayly and unconcernedy as if they were not upon
volcano ready to burst out at any moment.
Paris is unusually gay this winter, and full Of
strangers
Trade and commerce have greatly revived. The
stocks Of goods Of the year Is47 have been cS-
hausted by the consumption Of the two past years,