New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-12-22
The French Usurp alton.

gun. The first blow has been struck in a
struggle which, whatever may be its imme-
date aspects and incidents, is destined to
close only with the overthrow of Despotism
throughout civilized Europe. And this
blow has been struck, not by Red Republi-
cans, not by vulgar conspirators lurking in
the purlieus and alleys of some great me.
tropolis, not by the universally slandered So
cialists, but by that distinguished champion
of 'Order'-of Family, Property and Re-
ligion-Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, Presi-
dent Of the French Republic, and sworn to
uphold its Democratic Constitution.
OF course, none but the wilfully blind can
be deceived as to the character of this usur-
patton and the Government it creates.
France has ceased to be Republic and has
become Military Despotsm The pre-
tense of restoring Universal Suffrage is a
mockery, and carefully guarded against be-
coming any thing else. The Constitution
is annihilated by the dash of pen; the
Elections for President and Assembly
which it prescribes are farces there is
no security, there is not probability, that
the usurper would relinquish his power even
if the People should elect some one else to
the Presidency.
But such an election is morally impossi-
possible. The perjured villain has taken
good care of that. With the Press mana
cled, half the Nation in state of siege,
the Army everywhere masters, no liberty
of assembling, no time allowed for con-
centration of sentiment in favor of another
candidate, nor even for agreement among
the Republicans as TO voting or not voting
at this illegal and invalid Election, no other
result than that foreordained is possible
The cards are so stacked that the knave
must turn up trump, as intended.
Well What then? Manifestly, the
election will be 4 fraud, and every sincere
Republican will so regard and treat it. 1t
will be sheer farce, like the choice of
Dorr as Governor of Rhode Island, a! an
election unknown to the laws, at time de-
signated by 4 mass meeting From the day
that this gigantic villainy shall be consum-
mated down to that (far or near) of its COM
plete overthrow, France will be one vast
conspiracy against IFS existence and every
earnest Republican a conspirator. This
usurpation cannot outlast 1852, and the
wretch who planned it will not be allowed
to escape from the County he has SO foul
iy, inexcusably, ungratefully wronged, as
his predecessors have done. Charles \.
aud Louis Philippe did grievous wreng in
their day, but their crimes were venial
when compared with those of this fagitieus
traitor to his oath, his Country and to HUI
mainly,
- This blow seems for the moment 4
hard one. Ii seems to throw back esson-
tally the shadow on the dial OF the worlds
progress Yet we have strong faith not
merely that its ultimate, but that its a,mos
immediate issues will be salutary. Among
its direct and lasting influences we count
confidently on the following
/. Ii will unite tho French Republicans
OF all shades into one compact, harmonious,
resisless phalanX. Until this great crime
shall have been eOuntera tied, all minor o.
jects or purposes must shrink irtO insignjG-
carce. The Democrats of France are
henceforth one body, having a common
cause with their brethren throughout Eu-
| rope.
,. 1t divests the Reactionary Despousn,
which had already obtained through
hypocrisy and per6dy the control of
France, of that shield of legality which
has hitherto covered It. Those who ear
nestly sought to prevent the assassination
of the Roman Republic and who since
struggled against the mutilation of the
/ Right of Suffrage and its kindred atroci-
ties, have been all along reviled as An
( aIchists, Terrorists. JacobinS, Revolution
i>ts-invoterate foes Of Law and Order
and plOtters OF pillage and subversion.
Henceforth, they stand clearly revealed as
: the true Conservatives who battle for the
/ Constitution as it was deliberately framed
by the Convention and freely adopted by
tie People, in opposition to the mangied
and lifeless carcass put in its place by the
bayonet-girdled usurpcr.
B. 1t compels the sincere Monarchists-
tsose with whom Hereditary Rule is prin-
. cip.c-to make common cause with the Re-