The southern press., 1851-12-27
Louis Napoleon.

LOUIS N6pOlcO0.
Some months ago, in All article upon Frenci
politics, we drew our readers attention 10 th,
fact that, for second time, the imprudent ant
intriguing monarchical factions in France wer
throwing the whole game into the hands OF Lou
Is NAPOLEON, and placing him in Il position t.
accomplish almost any fantasy of ambition, al
though his party was in reality one of the small
est in number, and least influential of any in tha
country.
We do not undaTate the influence Of the
name of NAPOLEON. But we stated, and We
repeat the assertion, that successor TO NAPo
LEON is not wanted by the great majority of the
French people, and that but for the complica
tons of June, l848, and the immense mystifica
ton, which for time accompanied them, the elec
ton OF LOUIS NAPOLEON to the Presidency would
have been very questionable indeed.
I Personally, LOUIS NAPOLEON has little inlu-
ence, and the admiration for the Emperor does
not extend to the nephew. But under the per-
picked circumstances, created by the intrigues
of the monarchists determined to prove that the
republic was impossible, the people turned to
LOUIS NAPOLEON, and gave him their votes, as
counterpoise to anarchy on the one hand, and
monarchical fanaticism on the other.
The Legislative assembly might, had it been a
patriotic and liberal body, have destroyed what
little influence the President could have had He
was not well surro unded-his reputation any
way did not stand very high--his expedition to
Rome-his compromises with the monarchists
Sacrificing universal suffrage, the press, &c.
for an increased salary)-his jesuitical conduct
throughout gave his enemies a thousand advan-
tages over him, which they knew not how lo
profit by.
The French people acquiesce in his present
move, from hatred to the Assembly That body
got itself elected by exaggerated representations
of its own republicanism, and by calumnous
charges of socialism and red republicanism
against all honest, steady and true Democrats
1t has been long ago weighed in the balance
and found wanting
LOUIS NAPOLEON has now artfuly proiited by
its opelly declared monarchical tendencies and
his unconstitutional attack upon the Assembly
finds an universal appreciation from the people
1t is no proof, however, that the game is entirely
in the Presidents hands, as some of our cotem-
porares fancy. Had he struck a'blow at the re-
public, We do not hesitate to say the army would
have deserted him, and the whole nation would
have revolted,
The empire is not what the French dream Of
The institutions of France are thoroughly
democratic, and every year but increases the
strength ofattachment to them What the En-.
peror accomplished while these institutions
were new, it would be impossible to carry out
now. So deeply tinged is French society with
liberty-fru of those institutions-that even
the Legitimists, in spite of their prejudices OF
centuries, more fancifu than real are sngularly
liberal in their views, and talk as confidently Of
uniting Legitimacy, represented by HENRY w.,
with repubcanism, as if the two were identical
in interest and sentiment
The plan proposed by LOUIS NAPOLEON oftwo
chambers, resembles that attempted to be carried
Wv " p'o uheic Nueu COHSui IL, however, Inc
upper chamber, or senate, is to be nominated by
him, il is easy to foresee that such a farce will
be productive of infinite mischief and difficulty.
If, on the contrary, both chambers are to be
freely elected by the universal suffrage of the
people, the republic will have the finest chance
of consolidation ever presented to it.
We have already, on several occasions, re.
marked that the great difficulty in France is the
overwhelming force Of the government The
present movement Of LOUIS NAPOLEON is a re-
markable proof of the fact, we have always
maintained, that the French government is the
sole and real cause of revolutions. The people
are decidedly opposed to violent changes, and are
only driven to them by the perseverng encroach-
ment of apower, that feels itself for while ir-
resistible.
To counterbalnnce this power, two chambers.
elected by universal suffrage, and changeabe at
regular and frequent intervals could alone avail.
Louis NAPOLEON has it in his power to try that
experiment We doubt, however, whether. with
the best intentions in the world, he will be able
to resist the influence of his +" encourage" and
place France in so healthy position
LOUIS NAroLEos's election cannot be relied
upon as certain. We should not be surprised
if he was disappointed. His greatest chance
arises from the fact that he has no conspicuous
opponent, who has the confidence of consider
able portion of the French people
The Result OF the Treason Trials,
L. Man Nn,G a. A..