The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-27
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
SATURDAY MORNING, DEC. ~, 1851.


In 1871, when The news reached us baI the people OF
France had called Louis Philippe TO the throne, and had
made him the Executive OF written constitution, there
went up from all parties in land universal burst
OF applause at the success OF the principle which had
tumphed The idea that France had recognised the
paramount authority of the public will enough to-
make all eiooe and without nqulring into the parc
ular merits OF the constitution which that will had adopt
ed regarded step in the progress OF the
Of freedom, and happy presage of the ameoratons
that were 10 take place in other European States But.
alas how unsubstantia have proved the anticpaons OF
that day Since then Louis Philippe and his constitution
have passed away like dream. The people OF France,
moved by new Influences have acknowledged other rev
olutons. have called into existence other forms of gov
eminent and have tried experiments which have settled
nothing but the great fact that the art OF selfcovemment
yet problem to be solved in that land Of mysterious
| civilization and power.
1t was but the other day that an extreme French rad
cal spoke Of the conflict which took place on the law
of the 3ls of May. determining the elective suffrage
under the presidency of Louis Napoleon, duel be-
t,oecn the wrong and The right-between perishable
form and eternal principle. In other words this
ulbas thought i, no harm TO appeal to higher law
than that of the constitution of his country and 10 set al
defiance the restraints which imposed by existing
and Austrian princes who have taught them to consider
their pledges TO the reforms OF 1S4s not binding only
in far they accorded with the eternal rght-e old
divne right of kings to gosern they please 1t is
thus tina, extremes meet in politics, in other things.
Radicasm and absolusm employ dogmas that
equally repugnant TO the principles OF social safety and
practicable liberty. This in fact is the disease of Eu-
ropean society Not only France, but all her neigh
boring States. ii is the fashion TO proclaim higher
law than that which is established by constitutions
and the most solemn obligations are disregarded in the
pursuit of theories which bewilder the imagination and
terminate invariably in the tyranny Of mobs or of some
fortunate autocat 1t is forgotten that government s not
theory, and that society cannot live upon absac-
TONS any than upon the creations Of
his mind-tha there must be actual laws-aws obeyed-
in the same that there must be bread and
} sustain life.
It's only the idU-uis not heright. In the pursuit Of
the latter absotusd from obligations the former
With this fatal dogma in his hand Louis Napoleon has
overturned the constitution of France-calls himself the
representative of orde and appeals to the people
firm and the army enforce his DEGREES. That such
usurpaon could take place only proves the fearful pro
gress which the spirit OF anarchy and disorder has made
among the people of France. and how difficult it is tc
' check such evil by forms of government which arr
no, in harmony with the habits and usages OF the society
upon which they to operate.
This usurpaon is precisely the same, if applied to thu
United States as though the President should by military
force dispense Congress, silence the press. and declare
himself absolute Il, is hardly possible for to realiz,
such enomity yet appears from the which
reach tina, may be tolerated if excused by tn
very people who thus outraged Should this be hi
case, will be deep misfortune them and to thu
world .~"
al We must, however wait Tor events before under
take 10 decide how far such usurpaon to be consd
cred the subversion Of all true liberty in France few
weeks will disclose whether there is any moral senti
ment capable OF escaping the lhradom into which every
ves,ge OF political freedom is placed by the despots OF
Europe. The crime of Louis Napoleon mus, call out
this sentiment, il exists and in this event require,
no prophet to tina, it must be fighting sent.
ment, and will communicate the flame OF through
out the continent. 1t will be a war of principle in
which the people will be arrayed against despoism-
in which il seems probable Louis Napoleon viii take his
place with the Emperors of Austria and Russia and the
Kings OF Germany, and stand unmasked before the world
the instrument OF that crusade which has been
foot TO eradicate from Europe the doctrine of popular
sovereignty, based the representative principle and
expressed in written constitutions
In the presence of such prospect in the Old World,
our action government, and people must depend on
events they arise. As long there is hope that the
cause of true reform may be carried forward-hat the
paramount, principle of the popular will is capable OF
, practical organization-our sympalhes, our example,
and our cheering advice, will be freely displayed bul
whether we can go step further must depend upon
tingences they uanspre, upon the influences which
may be developed affecting own interests, or men
acing directly or remotely our own rights OF national
independence.
Il is easy to imagine that the despots OF the Old
World, in their zeal TO exirpae Freedom may
enter into combinations which would not be salts
fed until they assail free institutions Such
a possibility must keep alive our sympathies in
behalf Of the oppressed, and remind that vigilance is
the price OF Ibertynota vigilance merely TO guard our
federal and State system against innovation, but vig
lance which surveys the mutations OF other nations and
which will enable us always TO throw our influence
where il may be most effective in unfolding the right and
exposing the wrong.
..-.. MeHss.
The New Orleans Courier" in an article referring
to the vacancy created in the Senate OF the United States
bv The resignation of Colonel Davis speaks in The ol