The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-31
Affairs iil France.
[pAnIs coRREsPoNDEScE OF THE REruBLIc.]
PARIs Nav 10 1851

The position of France at the present moment,
IN political aspect, will, | think, justify your
correspondent in noticing the course of public
events with some degree of detail France is
now, especially, the hinge of European politics;
Its action is likely to govern the mighty fu-
ture--to modify, if it shall not determine, the
fate of millions. The press, the assembly, and
the people are discussing, in state of compar-
alive calmness and tranquility, the fundamen-
tai questions of government, and that, too, with
almost perfect freedom. Shall France become
monarchy of lcgitimist stamp and divine right
Or shall it return TO the chartered monarchy of
1892 Or shall it be republic, after the model of
Fayette and Cayaignac? Or shall it rush into the
anarchical gulf of Jacobinsm Or shall it throttle
itself with the disguised despotism Of Socialism
All these questions debated with that analyti-
cal keenness in which the French people excel.
And it s to be considered that, after year of dis
cussion, six millions of people, Notwithstanding
the restriction of the franchise by the act of May
$780, are to cast their votes in reference TO these
topics, If, indeed, some mighty explosion do not
throw the whole social fabric into state of chaos
The subject therefore, cannot fail to be instructive
by the light struck out in the discussion, and i'm
portant through its bearing upon the future condi
ton of the world. II is quite certain that all Eu-
rope, from the crowned head to the toiling pea
SAINT, is looking upon the spectacle with intense
interest.
An animated discussion took place few days
ago in the Assembly upon subject which may be
new to American readers. An amendment was
proposed declaring that workmen's hurets be abol
ished The liUret is small book, which every
workman is obliged to have in his possession spe
cifying the engagements he has entered into with
previous employers, and containing the signatures
IF ty,A,. IL ~
gagements have been well and truly performed
The master has right to retain the liuret, in case
the workman has not fulfilled his engagements or
in case of any dispute between the two and thus
prevent him from obtaining other occupation
The master is thus judge, and at the same time a
party. The whole system is under the surveillance
of the police; the laborer has first to obtain his
uret at the prefecture, and next to have it rise or
signed there, whenever he changes employers. He
is thus bound by double chain both to his master
and to the police. The amendment was brought
forward by a mountaneer, M. Nadaud, and de-
Tended by him and NJ. Chauffeur with real ability
An American can hold but one opinion subject
like this. 1t is unjust and anti republican to egis
late one class into subsection to another. The
employer and the employee not equal be.
fore the law as long the former holds the char
acter and the Of subsistence of the latter in
his own hands. The arguments against suppress
ing the vret were that it is testimonial of honor
and probity TO the laborer--a testimonial in which
the industrious laborer takes prde that to abolish
it would throw the industrial world into anarchy,
and that, in fact, it is indispensable distinction
between the idle and profigate, and the indus
trious and honest. The amendment was, of course,
rejected by large majority, and the existing law
sustained; the Republicans, however, throwing
their strongest vote in its favor about 100 to 40
Revision is still the prominent subject Of CONVEX
saton, editorial discussion, and petition. An ex-
citabe justice of the peace in the south has issued
an address to all the mayors within reach of his
voice, calling upon them to encourage by every
means in their power the signing of the petition
for revision and the propagation of the Presidents
powers. He adjures them to advance this cause
"if they venerate their fathers and mothers; if |
they love their wives and children; if they cherish
the religion of Jesus Christ, and if they believe in
the existence of God" Interpretations were ad-
dressed to the government in the Assembly as to
whether it intended to tolerate such language in
a public functonary The Minister of Justice re-
piled that he had already written for information
upon the subject. petition from the Commune
of Marsales bears fifty -ono adhesions legalized by
the mayor, who adds that there only fifty-two
electors in the commune. Unanimity, minus one!
The general committee for the revision of the |
constitution has adopted the following wording of
an address to me representatives:
To the Representatives. of the People at the Legisla
tire National assembly:
"GENTLEmBN: Experience has shown to France
the faults in the constitution of 1S4nrand the i'm
possibilities and the perils which it c8ntains ts re-
vision has become an imperious necessity In the
nam. of agriculture Of commerce, of industry
and particularly of the working classes, in the
name of all suffering interests, in the of the
salvation OF the country, the undersigned make
an appeal to your patriotic solictude. 1t belongs
TO them to point out the danger you; it il for
you to causeit to disappear. Full of confidence in
your high appreciation of the interests of the coun-
try, and of the means Of safety which the constitu
tion itself has placed in your hands, the under
sgned beg you messieurs les representants, to
decide that the constitution shall be revised. Ac
cept, gentlemen, the expression of our respects.
"Ihc General Committee for the Revision
OF the Constitution"
This is signed by twenty one persons, merchants
proprictors mayors, presidents of the Tribu-
nal of Commerce, members of the Institute, ex-
directors of Foreign Commerce, heads of banking.
houses, &c.
Several OF the clubs composed Of members Of the l
Assembly have also been occupied with the ques.
ton oil reyislon, in advocating the necessity and
of which they seem to be unanimous
The Legitimist clubs have named committees
whose business 1t Is to come to an understanding
on this subject, and report accordingly 1t ia said
that these have already done 30, taking ground in
favor OF revision, and arc now engaged in pre-
pairing form of wording, 30 that all shades of |
opinion may unite in its support, leaving, however,
full liberty to all regards the articles of the
sttution to be modified and the principles to be /
revised. |
This unanmity on the part Of the Lcgitimists, |
and, in fact, of all those notoriously opposed to
the republic, gives Importance, at least |
degree of interest, to statement made in my l
hearing, day or two ago, by one who profess |
ses TO be behind the scenes and in the conf
dence Of the principal actors Their plan is
nothing less than to go in mass for revision /; |
having done this, they will vote the prolongation
of the Presidents powers, taking the Presidential
election directly out of the peoples hands, and ar
ranging it to suit themselves. Their object in this
ia to get rid of the constitution to break through
it, to vitate and nullify n. Out of the chaos which
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