Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-08-22
Correspondence of the N. Y. Evening Post.l
The Great Intellectual Tournament.

The Great intellectual Tournament.
PARIS, July goth.
The debate in the Legislative Assembly, ON the
revision of the constitution, which has just closed IN
vote most disastrous to the schemes OF the monarch
it's and the personal hopes of Napoleon the Little,
was of the most brilliant intellectual displays
that has taken place in France. All the great
speakers of the different parties and shades OF par
ties, participated in the discussion, not only with
profound conviction of the Importance OF the occa-
sion to the country but with evident and keen
rivalry for the palm of eloquenee and success
The debate began on Monday, the 18th inst, and
was continued during the week; but before referring
to it. let NE explain the mode in which the parlia-
mentary contests conducted here. When time
is set apart for the consideration of any great ques
tion-all who intend to speak upon it inscrlbe their
names upon list kept for the purpose-and they
speak in the order in which their enrolled
one speaker on each side in alienation until the list
is completed. 1t generally happens however, that
the different parties of the chamber get their crack
speakers ptted against each so that very profound
or brilliant exhibition one side IS immediately
followed by something similar on the other The
speeches are generally brief-not made to Buncomb
as with us-but addressed to the House and to the
single question before it yet consisting OF eabor-
ate essays on the subject in hand with addenda OF
all the statistics of annual report but direct, e-
gitmate oratory.
It would be impossible to give an outline of all the
remarks but may say briefly that the debate, on
the part of the greater gods opened by De FallouX
and Cavaignac-the former devoted adherent of mon
archy, and the latter devoted republican 1t
the policy ofDe Tocqueve and the other friends
of revision to confne the debate to the simple ques
ton of revision but from the very outset it became
a controversy between the republic and the
archy De Faloux was cool, adroit, statistical, and
apparently sincere. He urged that France, since
she had rushed into the revolutionary agiatons of
1899 had fallen behind the great monarchical coun
tries of Europe in all that relates to physical wealth
and moral grandeur, and that the only cure for her
ills was radical revision of the constitution, which
should bring back the great principles OF stability
and order. His speech was able but it was admit
ted equal to the reputation he acquired as Minis
ter of Public Instruction.
Cavaignac, who followed, was earnest, sedate and
intense, and with eye probably to the Presidency
and the Extreme Left took the the high ground that
monarchy in its very essence, negat1on OF the
national sovereignty and that the republican is the
only form of government at all consistent with the
political existence of the people. The two principles
could not consequently be discussed side by side
the one falsehood the other divine truth
He was opposed to the revision therefore, not that
the Constitution perfect but because the object
of those who assail it, to aim death blow at
the Republic. The constitution was the first rough
draft Of the republican idea, and such it ha
ted by the enemies OF freedom Cavaignac' it is re-
markable, though he speaks impreSsively and with
intense conviction, never excites applause. When
he closed he took his seat in the profoundest almost
painful silence
The next speaker, Coqueril, popular and fasci-
mating Unitarian clergyman is a fine declaimer but
carries no force with him. He attempted reply to
the stern old General, but soon involved himself in
great deal of confusion He was in favor of the
Republic, because the Republic scriptural but
at the time he was in favor of elecng Prince
Louis because the Prince popular with the pea
SAINTS. Monsieur Grevy about to make reply
to this rigmarole when for some reason or other
ill-health propably-he broke down, and gave way
to the Boanerges of the liberals, the indomitable Mi
chel de Bourges.
This Michel, as you know, is called the Old Man
Of the Mountain, a strong, burly, big-browed, I'M
'conquerable red republican, prepared to 60 down
into the streets to do battle for liberty, he is to
defend accused editors at the tribunal to meet
the chosen champion of legitimacy in the tribune.
The earnestness with which he commonly asserts
his convictions produces such Interruptions from the
Right that he is not often allowed to be heard. But
as both sides had agreed to abstain from these
irritating impertnences the old warhOrse was per-
mitted to walk over the field in his own fashion.
At first he was moderate in his tone, disputing Ca
vaignacs dOctrine-that the republic above dis
cusson. and alleding that it courted at all times
and in every place, the most ample discussion.
But as he got warm i'll the work. he poured out
a torrent of argument, sarcasm, defiance and patri
otto appeal. When he turned, at times his black
fiery eyes towards the legtimst benches and threat
ened the vengeance of the people the head Of
those who would betray their supremacy, the face
Of his adversaries would turn pale with suppressed
excitement and rage, and when he proclaimed the
Republic Of February-the republic of popular &C
camation-of sincere conviction-might and i'm
perishable-the mountain would heave like Etna ir
commissions, and break forth into frantic and thun
dering cheers 1t was the great speech the week
and the republicans insantaneOusy resolved to prn
millions of copies of it, to be sent to all parts
the provinces The history which it gives of the
political struggles of the last thirty years. will b.
found to be of the most valuable narratives O
the day.
The legitmists, aware of the profound effect o
Michel, the next day brought their most splendiC
orator. Berger, to combat his positions 1t wa
wisely done for other man in France could fo
one moment, have breasted the current set in motion
graceful manner, his culture, his ready wit
: his adrot logic, his honest attachment to Monar
chy. induced the most violent of the mountain
to listen to his defence of royalty and his castga
ton of liberalism. He replied pecemeal to tn
history, the argument, and the vaccinations of Mi
chel ellciting lncessant applause which rose Gk
an echo of the beautiful defamation which ran;
around the walls of the house But with all his fer
vor and impassioned gesculation it evident tina
Berger secretly thought the republic forgone
: cusion, and that he defended the family whose claim
, he maintains, with the air of forlorn and desper
u ate hope,
+ If you will call to mind SCOTS description of tn
{ encounter between the little and supple Saladir
e with his sword and scimeter and the heavy Rich
ard Occur de Lion, with his ponderous battleaxe
: you will get an idea of the discussion between Mi
u chel and Berryer.
l. 1t thought that it would close not the debat
ITSELF but the interest of the debate but they VIII
e After few Indifferent speeches the great dramatis
u and moot aSppnded tribuna amid ba1n IN