The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-11-26
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.


/
New York, Nov "a. 1851
.1r'p@ " NE hadnhe-Neios from Emops.-LouiS Ma
poieon.-kosstah
| The Atlantic. which arrived on Sunday morning after
very short passage Tor this OF the wear brings MS
intelligence OF considerable interest from across The
water The principal topics OF are those which
relate TO the movements of Louis Napoleon in France
and OF kossuth in England
The political aspect OF France just now presents par
adox of very peculiar and striking character. tex
hbits the strange spectacle of republican Chief Mags
trate seeking, some suppose, to overthrow consti
unonal form of government for the purpose of estab
shng IN his own person monarchy upon its ruins.
ana as most cede 10 pepeuate indefinitely the power
which he holds Tor specified period and this by the pro-
OF the most radical democratic doctrines and
the extension OF the fundamental republican privilege
that OF the elective franchise-to its utmost limits We
have all along cherished the hope, not the expectation,
that the President of France would disappont the evil
augures OF those who attributed 10 him amount Of
sordid and selfish ambition which would mpel him to
sacrifice the farest prospects and best interests of his
country to the base ends OF personal elevation and ag
grandizement Whether because our sympaihes have
always been with the Napoleon family or because we
thought that we could discover in the public acts OF his
administration, evidences OF mental ability and
greater moral uprightness than he has generally had
credit Tor, il s hard TO say-bu probably from the in
uence Of both of these causes had nearly made up
our mind that, when his constitutional term Of Office
expired Louis Napoleon would with quie, dignity, lay
down the baton OF command, which the people had in
trusted for limited time to his hands, and thus Justify
the wisdom OF their choice, while, by the act, he
rebuked the preudces of his enemies and an example
of submission to the laws which would not be lost upon
his successors
| He may still do all this-we trus, be will but our
confidence in the OF any such fortunate event
| has OF late been very much shaken-not so much by
anything that he has done, as by what he has left
DONE Whatever be the real motive of the French Pres
dent in urging upon the national legislature the repeal of
the act of 3lst of May and the restoration OF the right OF
suffrage to the millions whom it disfranchised,
not find it in our heart blame him for it nor does it
necessary while the good motives which justify tina,
measure prominent, to waste time in seeking for
bad one. But it certainly does seem somewhat extraor.
binary that his late annual message before the expa
ton of his term of office, he should make auson TO
that circumstance, that, from the general tenor and
effect of that document, indication OF his purpose
intention OF complying with the constitutional provision
should be discernibe. if indeed he sincerely entertained
any such purpose intention. With the views which
we in this country have of the duties and obligations
axmbent upon those whom the people elevate TO office,
we should expect OF Chief Magistrate who about
retiring from power, and whom the law rendered in
eligible for the next term, at least some recognition OF
his consciousness that The period of his service
drawing to a close, his last message 10 the coordinate
branches OF government, especially if the nation
distracted with the report that he intended 10 retain his
power and station by force and in defiance of the
constitution.
The opportunity was so fitting and appropriate 10 do
an act OF Justice HIMSELF contradict auhoritavey
all unfounded rumors and relieve only the leks-
lave body but the people OF France from apprehension
that we really understand why the President did
not take advantage of il, if conscious OF his in
tegriiy aud hrmness OF purpose. As IL a. he stands
informally, but very generally, accused of design TO
. mpnt he IN stain
To this accusation he has degned reply. and the IT.
resstbe inference u.s. that he has satisfactory reply 10
give.
That the French Assembly take this view OF the mat
Ter is evident from some OF the movements of precau
onary character which have lately been made in that
! body. By constitutional law, the Assembly are EN-
powered call upon the army, such portions of as
they deem necessary for their protection but The same
law piovides that the President shall have the right 10
nominate and appoin, the commanders in chief Of the
army This Louis Napoleon has already done and,
filling these appointments with officers devoted 10 his
interest the privilege OF the assembly is virtually an
nulledhe troops obeyng only their immediate superors
and these being the OF the President but little
reliance could be placed upon them If called upon 10 on.
pose his mandates To remedy this state OF things, an
act has been introduced giving 10 the Assembly the APP
pontmen, OF the general officers and this when sscd
il is proposed pacard in every barack and military
station in France If this is done the President declares
that he will have posted up beside the the consilu
onal provision comforting the power upon him
and this being the higher authority, will give him mani
testify The advantage in the controversy Bat in the
time, for all practicable purposes, the question
to have been decided By the army itself General Mag
man, the commander OF the troops Paris hav.
ing convened meeting of the generals under his
mapd they unanimously decided that they would obey
no orders except such emanacd from The Executive
so that the Assembly would appear TO be in bad way
for defenders.
/ Taking all these things into view, and considering in
addition the bitter hostility OF The legislative towards the
executive branch Of government, the unpopular spirit in
which the former have received and treated the propo
son for the extension OF the right OF suffrage, and the
good will which the latter has acquired by introducing
and urging it, and bearing in mind at The same time, the
attachment of the army to Louis Napoleon and the
presig, OF his among the people, is not dcult
or,el the result collision will take place long
between the two great powers OF State, unless the Presi
dent himself takes TO avoid II and il II do
take place. then will be re-enacment OF the
scenes of the 18th Brumae, or the dissolution OF Par
lament by Cromwell II really looks Just at present
/ if Louis Napoleon too strong for the constitution
the present form Of government OF Frances and he
proyes 40 and places the imperial OF his uncle
upon his head there ia but too much appre-
bend that the unhoy alliance of despos in continental
Europe will receive important accession 10 its strength
and numbers
! But il things look threatening and por,entoos on the
continent the prospect is certainly improving and bright
ming in England Kossuihs visit will constitute mem
orable era in the history of the land Of orefalhes The
| II Taon lad nutr bnro