The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-11-11


pleasantly and good humor were the erder of the
morning. From the great amiabilty of the Pre-
sident on the occasion, the ministers chuckled with
contemplated triumph, and made sure that the
President had come to their conclusions, and that
therefore their places were safe. Breakfast was
over about hslfpast twelve, and after general
versaton and lounging in the saloon, the ministry,
with the President adjourned to the council cham
Der, and took their places at the green baze table.
The President then announced his fixed determine
ton TO be, to insist upon the abrog alton Of the law
Of May, simply and without modification. The
ministry, thereupon, according to their previous
declaration, rendered unanimously their resigna-
tions. The President accepted the same, requesting
that until the new ministry should be formed, they
would remain for the despatch of necessary bust
ness. He then politely bowed and left them, over
whelmed with surprise, astonishment, and morti-
fcation.
But the curious part of the business is yet to
come. AT first, the friend of the measure felt
anxious they said, if the President sticks to his
purpose, what then! He will propose the mea-
sure to the Assembly, and they will at reject
it. What then will be gained Nothing what
ever, except that Louis Napoleon will be able to
use the matter in his favor at the elections and say
to the people, 81 am not guilty Of violating the
constitution; did not abrogate universal suffrage;
on the contrary, wished to restore it, and the As
sembly refused" But since the first announce
ment of the determination of the President, new
view is taken Of the Affair." which fills the royast
party the party of eyder as they call themselves,
with terror and dsmay.. 1t is now felt and talked
the President, the law is already repealed and the
Chamber will vote its repeal by necessity and unani-
mously. What strange event Everybody is
surprised, all classes delighted at the restora
say, how can this be Thus it is, the people will
go to the polls to vote universally. Who is 10 him
der them u! None but the President. He only can
command the troops to prevent them. But be will
not, and, therefore, universal suffrage is restored
when the executive power will execute nothing
against it; But again, universal suffrage being
restored, the Chambers will be elected by universal
suffrage. They will not, therefore, dare to resist
those whose will have it in their power to reject
them or to exclude them from the Assembly.
Therefore, they must submit and vote for the mea-
Under this singular and undoubted aspect of
things, the step Of the President, from its manifest
success, becomes master stroke of policy for it is
success after all which confsrs brilliancy upon any
achievement.
The question next presents itself, what effect will
the re-establishment of universal suffrage have, in
its consequences, upon the reelection of the Presi
dent, Louis Napoleon! One thing is certain, he
Suffrage the election, even if he had received the
greatest number of votes would have gone into the
Chamber, and the royalists having the majority,
would not have chosen him. He had, therefore, no
Another thing is cersain-the Prince de Joinvie is
killed of by this stroke, for if he had been candi
date under restricted suirages the legitimsts
would have very probably elected him, the near
est step to legitimacy and monarchy. Now, then,
as Louis Napoleon has the army and the magis-
tracy at his command, he stands some chance, a
great chance, but only chance, Of being re-elect-
ed under universal suffrage. | say only chance,
for the people generally are totally alienated from
him by the rePressive and oppressive measures
which he has so long pursued in the interest of the
aristocracy and monarchists. But supposing he
should be re elected there is 6rst great obstacle
to be removed and that is the 45tt article Of the
constitution, by which he is pronounced incl BILE
To remeve this obstacle, the revision Of the consti-
and render him re-elgible for another term But
as the party Of order called cannot be forced
this measure, as they must be to the other, the Pre-
sident will have no chance Of being made legally
Ieeligible, If he trusts to the Assembly Under
this necessity We shall soon see another scene
brought forward on the shifting drama, and il Is
confidently believed that the President, after trying
for little time the temper Of the present Assem-
bly,, will resort, as last resource, to the following
bold and decisive measures He will dissolve the
Assembly by proclamation, proclaim the establish
ment OF universal suffrage and call upon the people
to elect Constituent Assembly-that signifies, Is
everybody knows, constitution making assembly,
one net to be a parliamentary body, but a national
body TO constitute and organize a constitution.
This will be bold, great, revolutionary move
ment, and unless the present Asse nbly consent to
revise the constitution and make him legally re eli
gible, he must and he will take this course. Thus
series ofrevoutions are On hand-of peaceful re-
velutions If be submits to universal suffrage and to
the DEGREES OF the Assembly elected by it, and
bloody revolutions il, the other hand, he should
resort 10 force 70 attem pit to the Const
tuent Assembly. Under the prevailing state Of
feeling towards Louis Napoleon, throughout the
nation, it is highly probable tina such Assembly,
elected by universal suffrage, would not contain
majority in favor Of him II would no doubt be q
highly democratic assembly, highly revolutionary,
ard though called to help him to mount into the
saddle, 1t might be the very to toss him uncere-
moniousy out Of 1t. IL he submitted, whatever
their resolves might be, all would be we but If he
called on the army and the Bonapartists, or the
r.lre Il AZ
be bloodshed and revolution; but then, in such a
case, be would be resisting the people, and that
very universal suffrage to which he now resorts to
further bis views. Thus he is in dilemms-all is
sdilemna-and danger seems to impend, whatever
horn Of the dilemma each side may take.
The most influential man in All this stirring
movement, by whose advice the President has, II
Is said, been mainly guided, is Emile lie Girardin
editor and writer Now, then, light begins to dawn
upon his late visit to London, and his interviews
with Lcdru Rollin there, which, at the time,
excited no little curiosity Perhaps Ledru Rollin
has some share in this new turn Of Affairs. The
eyes Of Louis Napoleon seem now to be opened to
the fact that the legtimists ard royass, under the
name and pretence Of order, have been making a
tool and dupe Of him, and intended to sacrifice
him at the first opportunity for some one more to
their mind and more neariy connected with Bour-
bon interests At all events, IL is gasi coalition
Of the President with the democracy aud the peo-
pie, whom, hitherto, he has been crushing and
pretext Of socialism. How far Louis Napoleon
Is sincere, Is, perhaps Of little consequence to
political retuts lfhe is not sincere-if he is only
consulting for his own future Advancement and in
torest, be is not to be relied uror he is only add
ing duplcity to his tyranny, and when his purpose
is gained. viii turn again against the people and
party which, now, be is beginning to natter and
fondle. If the other hand, he IL sincere then be
has al this time been made a silly dupe Of and
miserable tool Here, again, is a net very pleasant
dilemma in which ne must stand before the world.
Rumors are current in Paris that the Pre- sdent Is
about to publish general amnesty for poti,al Of.
fences lfthis be the cage il is demonstra.ive evil
dence Of the conversion Of the President and Of the
fact Of the coalition But Louis Is no. safe after all,
for the history Of all political coalitions is a fatal
asd ruinous history. People who have losg acted
upon the principle before the world, cannot easily
make somerset and act upon the opposite prin-
ciple They will always be suspected IL remains
to what will be the end Of this new coalition.
For ny own part, ] am incliRed to believe that
the President may be sincere, and tha. be ends he