The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-15

Representative, on the California mes
sage.
Political State and Prospects or France.
In the midst of agitations at home, we
cannot be Indifferent to the aspect of af-
fairs abroad. The recent intelligence
from France is especially calculated to
arrest attention and excite reflection. In
stead of instructions of the mob and
coups d'etat on the part of the govern
ment-prophesied and promised by those
pretending to superior knowledge on the
other side of the water-the last steamer
brings US news that the elections have
passed off quietly, and that, in spite of the
efforts of the ministry, the Socialists have
carried their candidates in Paris, though
they have been less successful in other
departments. The substantial and sug-
gestive fact is admitted-that the cleo
tons have taken place without disorder;
that both parties have exercised the fran
chise under the law, and that both submit
to the result.
This is surely very different from what
has been prognosticated. 1t has happened
now, as many times before, that the event
has fatty contradicted the prophecy. We
have learned to place very little reliance
upon certain prominent sources of infor-
nation as to French affairs. The London
press is never to be relied upon in regard
to foreign nations; in respect to their
neighbors across the channel, they are
almost incapable of justice. The English
have hereditary quarrel with the French,
aggravated now by the fear of political in
lection setting across the channel and en-
dangering the good old British constitu-
been the policy of the London press to
horrify the people of the Three kingdoms
with Partisan enormities, done or to be
done; and hence every few weeks We
have new batch of rebellions, insurrec-
tons, and usurpations, set forth as on the
very eve of consummationl
Unfortunately, an American gentleman
at Paris, holding opinions-very honestly,
no doubt-analogous 10 those found in the
London prints, has largely contributed, by
his restless and prolific pen, to the circu-
lation Of views as distorted and erroneous
as those Of the English journals. His Of
fetal position has given credit and author
ity to his statements, and caused them to
be more quoted and relied upon than
would have been the fact had he been a
private individual.
From these prejudiced sources we have
derived those gloomy and disheartening
views of French politics since the revolu-
ton of 1S4S which have made the world
on this side of the Atlantic almost sick of
the subject. On the other hand, set Of
able, original, and enthusiastic writers, in
various parts Of Europe, have presented
very opposite pictures, and assured us
that the solution Of mighty riddle is at
hand in the establishment and triumph Of
Socialism in France.
Now, without pretending to say pre-
cisely how far these opposing authori-
ties are wright or wrong, we take il as a
safe conclusion that the truth lies some
where between them. The horizon of
France is certainly not unclouded. Agi-
tation exists, and must continue, at least
for time. Turmoil and instruction may
come-blood may flow; but Of two things
we feel assured, that neither Monarchy
nor Fourierism will be established in that
country we doubt if the experiment of
either be even tried. We have, indeed, a
strong hope that Republicanism, on Just
and solid basis, will ere long be regarded
as the settled political system Of France.
We have time and space only to indi-
cate, in general terms, our reasons for COM
ing TO these conclusions. In the first place
we look TO the character of the French
people. Taken in the mass, they are the
most intelligent, temperate, frugal, and in
dustrious Of all the great nations of Europe.
Despite their proverbial excitability, there
is no country where the people so gene
rally live within their means as in France.
They have faults, certainly, at the basis Of
which lies want Of religious principle
the unhappy fruit Of long years Of debas-
ing union between church and state. But,
still, the virtues we name show q good
degree Of preparation for the experiment
Of sslf-govsrnment