The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-07-24
Foreign Correspondence.
Pans, July 7, 1851.


ever may be their want Of prudence and poll
cy-are now, in the great contest that is going
on, entrenched in the citadel Of the constitu-
ton. 1t is remarkable alike TO observe how
clearly they comprehended their position on this
point, and how closely their views and argu-
ments coincide with our American doctrines.
Ii is not the leaders alone, but the great mass
of Republicans throughout the country perfect
ly understand that the constitution is the de-
cared will of the people, and that an attack upon
this is denial of their sovereignty, and a conspi
racy against the vital principle of the republic.
In looking over the organs OF the several parties
in France, il is impossible not to observe that they
are really divided into but two; one having it in
view to place power in the hands of one man, and
the other to keep it in the hands of the people.
No matter what example we take, whether the
Bourbonists, Orleanists, Napoleonists-no mat
ter how these are divided by opposing and hostile
plans and purposes-they all alike in striving
to bring forward an individual whose elevation as
head of the nation involves violation overthrow
of the fundamental law of the land Even the
Con'titltionne, Louis Napoleon's organ, compares
France. at the present moment, TO Diogenes with
his lamp-in search Of A MAN This monarchical
idea of making the State individual and an in
dividual the State, is natural enough with such
politicians as Berger and Falloux, Bourbonists
from the cradle. Il does not astonish in such
fallen angels Of republicanism as Guzot, Theirs,
and Barrot. II does not surprise us in such pur-
chased radicals Leon Faucher and others. We
all familiar with examples of change of princ-
| pies with change of position. We are not dsap-
pointed that Louis Napoleon seems to have forgot
ten that there is thing between him and France
| between him and despotism-to which he owes his
elevation, and to which he has sworn sacred allie
glance IL, indeed, he remembers the constitu-
| ton, it is only obstacle to his ambition.
Strange it might seem at first view, it is still &C
cording to the of history, and especially the
developments of the present century, that while
the leading minds constantly moving in n
backward course, the people beneath them are car
rying forward Irresistible tide of progress in
which these selfish men sooner or later will be
overwhelmed and forgotten.
That this is just view of the actual state of
things becomes more and more apparent with the
progress of the great discussion in France. 1t
seems now to be generally admitted that restora-
ton OF monarchy is impossible. The prolongation
of Napoleon's presidency is the grand idea of Eng
land and the hope of the other legitimist govern
ments of Europe. To this end, no doubt, all the
unseen influences of diplomacy directed. In
France he has a powerful party; and when the
question comes between genuine republic, or q
selection of Napoleon, it is probably that the Le-
gitimist parties in the Assembly may give him
their support. But where will this lead? Where
will it end? There is, doubtless, o large majority
of the people in favor of the republic. Will these
ii prostratedr Will there not be instruction?
Will the army shoot down the people who fight
in defence of the law and the constitution? There
can be little doubt that blood will flow in such an
event But suppose that, after period of anarchy
and revolution, Louis Napoleon succeeds--what
then? Is he to hold his power for four years?
What will come at the end of that period? Another
struggle-another reign of terror-another era of
blood? How long-oh how long is this battle to be
waged? And what is the inevitable end in contest
beioeen this pooer and the po,oer of the peo-
Pile? Which must finally prevail? Does it need
ghost to tell US that? No man at all observant of
the actual state OF things in France, and the preg-
nant signs of the times, doubt that repub-
can government is sooner or later inevitable. To
contend against it is only to defer IL, and as il APP
pears at the expense Of of blood and years of
misery.
These are the serious and anxious views forced
upon the mind by the present state of things Re-
member, predict nothing; but tell you what
see in the air--what hear swelling from the Boz
som of the earth.
But must not forget to give you facts, while
waste my paper in theory. have spoken of the
manner in which the Republicans combat their en-.
emies and defend their opinions. give you
extract from the National, the leading Republi-
can paper in Paris, and which will enable you to
form idea of their position doctrines, and mode
of argument
s'There are two things in France which, if not at
present at least in the future, incompatible the
one with the oher-the Constitution, an Indipidu-
aiify. Choose, therefore, the man, and you sacri-
nee the law. We say to the people, for our part:
"Ihe constitution is the exponent of all the So
cial and political progress of our ancestors and of
that which we ourselves have madeline upon
ine precept upon precept; here are inscribed sixty
years OF our history. The constitution is your
soul, your mind, your right, your sovereignty; it
is the reality of the present, the progress OF the fu
ture; 1t Is the supreme guarantee of all that has
been obtained by so much labor and blood-it is
the necessary instrument of every thing that may
be realized in the future; it is the embodiment of
yourselves. We will not insult you by asking you
whether you can hesitate in your choice.
Gas to the man, facts speak louder than words.
hecolect what has taken place since the 10th De-
cember, lS4S the expedition TO Rome the mutila-
ton OF suffrage, the reviews of Satory. Remem->
Der, too, II you like, the circumstances that took
place before the 10th December, (the affairs of Bou
logne and Strasbourg) Then compare the system
OF politics, of which this man is the embodiment
with the fruitful principles, the sublime truths, the
germs OF social amelioration, the sacred and inn
prescrlpube right consecrated by the constitution.
you to choose between the two.''
Now, why is not this right, and why should not
every American look at least with hopeful sympa-
thy upon the partisans of liberty here? We shall
all doubtless be told that the French people are not
prepared for self government. Where is the evil
dence of that? Was not the warning finger of
prophecy raised against the United States when
they undertook it? Did not for fifty years have
to contend against the whole current of European
prejudice prophecy, and policy' And is it for us,
who have lived down the lie of incapacity on the
part of the people to govern Themselves to join in
similar cry against the most intelligent nation
in Europea
would not have it understood that am the ad-
vocate apoogist Of all that has been and ia done
and said in the name of republicanism in France
do not mean to say that there are not in that
party some bad, some fanatical and some foolish
men. But it seems to me no more than simple
justice to state the facts, far they appear in its
favor. Unhappily, nearly the whole press out of
France ia against it, because everywhere in Eu-
rope the press ia the instrument of despotism The
British press is, almost without exception, totally
opposed TO republicanism in France; and, as its