The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-08-14
EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.

M. de Tocquevilles report on the proposed re-
vision of the Constitution of France continues
to be the suhject-matter Of greatest European
comment, in connection with French affairs, and
it is now predicted with great confidence that it
will fail Of adoption by the Assembly, owing to
the unconquerable hostility Of the majority to
the pretensiOns of Louis Napoleon to reelection
papers to which Europe has given birth within
the last quarter of a century, being distinguished
by its comprehensiveness the calm boldness Of its
tone, and the stern legality of its recommends
tons
1t deprecates as the practical defects of the
present Constitution, the election OF the national
representatives by ticket, and the President by
direct vote, and the fact that it provides for the
election Of both at the same time. 1t asserts, as
inalienabe,th the great principle of nations right
to change its institutions either by the immediate
action Of the majority, or through Constituent
Assembly to which the duty may be delegated
On such grounds De Tocsueville urges that the
Assembly shall decide to permit the total revision
Of the Constitution in case the majority vote at
the polls 80 TO do 1t is worthy of note, that his
powerful arguments on this branch Of the ques-
ton are in no way tinctured by the miserable
party and personal considerations by which the
speeches Of all others in this connection appear
to be influenced; none but himself seeming pre-
viously impressed with the paramount import
esoA Of tattsmnting the nrornsed changes onlv
strictly according 10 the requirements Of existing
law Its greate& feature seems tS'Sse tne enforce:
ment of the necessity for due respect and obedi-
ence to the law. Already it's diffusion produces
responses which give cheering promise for the
future stability, peace, and prosperity of France
The Assembly listened to its reading without su
emotion or a murmur-a sign Of being daily i'm.
pressed with its responsibilities such a. was never
before shown by that body when considering an
exciting and important subject Indeed, one can
not read the report of the days proceeding, with
out being satisfied that De Tocquevills has sue
ceeded in convincing the Assembly of the import
ance Of rendering judgment undmmed by pas
sion. The newspapers of Paris, too, seem to have
caught this new and hopeful spirit, showing that
the Partisan public concur in this unexpected,
universal French respect for legality Under
these circumstances, it is fair to conclude that
there is little danger indeed that France may act
on this occasion with her former characteristic
headlong impetuosity. The revision, if under
taken, will be undertaken in patient and prac-
teal frame Of the public mind; and il the pro-
ject fails to secure the majority Of the Assembly
now required by law, there is no reason to dread
lest the nation may not acquiesce in the prolonga
ton of what it evidently believes to be but an
imperfect Constitution, resolute, while making the
best of it, to bde the time requisite for its amend
ment by orderly and legal movements only. 1t is
worthy of note, that Of the l,l23, l6l petitions,
Tor rather names signed to petitions, for revision
but $4,000 propose to attain that end by over
riding the forms of the Constitution and that half
that number were supplied by a single depart
ment
The Danish question is by no means settled.
Though bayonets have for the time being sienced
the open opposition to the entire Capitalization of
the Duchies, Prussia is exerting herself in the
Cabinet to prevent the accomplishment Of that
important end Of Austrian diplomacy which Rus
sia favors as tending greatly to strengthen her
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. northern Europe.
The last advices from the Cape of Good Hope
do not tell in favor Of speedy termination Of the
war brought about by the melo-dramatic extrava-
gances of Sir Harry Smith Thus far it has
ragged some six months, without battle in which
Britain has gained any advantage likely to lead
to result Sir Harry is still Gagged in King
Williams Town now and then he sends out
cropping detachment, which drives back the Caffres
at the point Of the bayonet but the moment 1t
falls back or passes on, the enemy again occupy
the ground on which it stood for the hour The
negro race is becoming restless under British
sway in the eastern district Of the Colony, and
the natives north Of Orange river are supposed
to be on the point Of following the example Of the
Caffre tribes There seems to be no competent
plan to meet these hostile demonstrations, nor is
there force at hand adequate to the task Of car
rying out any such plan, if formed. Thus all
South Africa seems on the point Of becoming a
vast theatre Of oonfict-blacks against whites,
the British against the Cafres and the emigrant
Beers, the Beers against the surrounding native
tribes, the Colonists against the natives, and the
latter against British or natives, as either may
venture in range Of their weapons. On the whole,
in British Africa every mans hand is in a fair
way of being raised against every other mana
legitimate result Of years Of the course of conduct
which has for it's main end self glorifcation and
pecuniary profit, and the abuse Of all whose con-
sciences are not squared by British measure.
The terms Of the newly formed COnoordat be-
tween Plus TX and the Queen Of Spain have at
that its regulations are TO last forever" as
though II were in the power Of any temporal sove-
reign to dictate the future Of the world. To our
plain apprehension, any such presumption is bias
phemous to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe.
| However, it may be simply laughsble, when il is
remembered that poor old Plus sits on his throne
only under the protection afforded hy French bay
onets, while Isabella stands over barrel of gun
powder, as it were. IL is not wonderful that
power in their situation should assume capabiity
| to make laws forever" in order to restore and
perpetuste the past. But this Concordat places
in priesty hands alone the education Of the youth
Of Spain, with authority to supervise doctrines
and manners, and to guard against perversions
and bad books Of which latter, it will be remem-
bered, the Bible is usually the chief prescribed.
The clergy are to educate the rising generation
Of Spain strictly after what are known a. the edu.
cationsl regulations Of the Council of Trent,
which neither recognise Calico nor admit the
rotation Of the earth IL the Concordat is carried
out OF course Spain is forever to be daily guarded
against the heresies Of Humboldt and HerscheL
On the whole, this paper goes to show that the
Pope is as ignorant Of the fact that infdelity In
Italy Is rapidly "unpoping the Pope" as Isabella,