The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-10-09
~. rn,ur. OF France.

al have now been long enough in this city, and
among friends whose opinions are worth some
thing, to form some idea of what is likely to
take place. say likely, because this Is all thatl-
who am neither "a prophet nor 'the son OF a pro-
phet,' as have sometimes heard Quaker preachers
say when commencing their sermons-can ven
ture to give you in the line of prediction That
great events are Just before is certain. That
crisis, of which | have often spoken to you,
is drawing very near. Between this 10th day
September and the middle or end of next May, the
destinies of Europe for probably half century
which in these days is very long tine-will be
decided A fierce struggle-it may be most des-
perate and bloody struggle-between liberty, civil
and religious, on the one hand, and hoary despot-
ism in politics and religion on the other. What
will be the issue? God alone knows.
al find that there is a wonderful activity here in
the political world The foreign ambassadors,
pecially those Of Austria, Prussia, and Russia,
have frequent conferences, and constantly send
ing and receiving dispatches. Nor the minis
ters resident of the smaller powers, such Sardi
MIA, Naples, Spain, the States of the Church, Bel
GUM, and Holland, idle. Those of England and
the United States are wide awake, and the former
has not little to do to look after these continental
States, and the movements of their rulers. As for
the minister Of the United States, he afford TO
look calmly on; for the is too remote from
his great country to trouble him much. So much
for the foreign world.
"But how do matters go among the French
| themselves They certainly stirring. The
President and his friends who are a species of po
litical dcmagogues of the most despotic tenden-
cies, but are compelled to carry on their ma
| neuvres under republican flag which they de-
test, are extremely active and vigilant. They
mean TO contest every inch OF ground and die
hard, if they must die politicallyand fear that
many ofthcm will be made to die literally before
long. There are many troops OF the line in and
about Paris. i never saw half SO many soldiers
about the Tuileries in Louis Philippe's day
to be seen daily around the Elysee Bourbon, to
guard that most remarkable specimen of nominal
influence. don't like at all the appearance of the
military whom have seen about the Presidents
residence and about those of his ministers. There
are too many Of them. and their looks are, unless
| am deceived, too ferocious and daring. They
are evidently fit for desperate work, and am alto
gether mistaken if they don't intend to make some
before long, if it be allowed"
This is not very flattering sketch of things
as they stand, or as they are likely to be, but
it has the merit of being in accordance with in
disputable facts, and with host of strong pro
liabilities.
Nothing is more clear than that France can
not remain at present; 1t must 60 back TO
monarchy or advance TO wholesome republican
| ism; and in either case, We fear, the passage
will be through prolonged and bloody strife. If
LOUIS NAPOLEON persist in his aspirations after
continuance of office, in spite of the provi-
sions of the constitution, tremendous struggle
/
is inevitable, and the issue can scarcely be con-
| sidered doubtful even though at the outset he
be sustained by powerful party, and all the
| influences at the command Of the Executive.
| The BOURBON faction will probably remain
passive spectators, awaiting the turn of events;
but there will be arrayed in active hostility
against him the moderate politicians--who,
though not unfriendly to a revision of the con
stitution, object TO a renewal of the Presidents
term of office, and especially to every thing
like coup d'etat to accomplish it--together
with republicans of all hues. A portion of the
army may be on his side. perhaps, but tempo
rarily. Another portion will as certainly be
against him, and ON the side of the mass of Pa
risian workmen---the heroes of the barbados;
and as these will have the advantage OF the
generalship of CAvAIGNAC and LAMoRIcIERE
their final triumph is certain.
In the event of such struggle, it will de-
rive its chief significance, and all its terrors,
from the pent-up indignation of the working
classes, who feel that they have been betrayed
| by those in whom they trusted, and that they
have been robbed of all the advantages for
| nh oh full md
have seen the republic for which they bled con
verted into an engine of oppression as against
themselves, and of corruption and aggrandize-
ment on the part of men who assumed to be
leaders and friends. They have quietly sub
United to the disfranchisement of three millions
of their own order, whose rights as voters were
guaranteed TO them by the constitution; but
their own declarations and concurrent circum-
stances leave no room to doubt that this and a
multitude of kindred wrongs are borne only for
a time, and will assuredly be made the ground
work of terrible retribution when the OPP
portunity presents itself. Secret societies Of
avengers exist in Paris and in many Of the
provinces, and the writer from whom we have
quoted states that they "have marked great
many men for assassination, if another success
full attempt should be made TO overthrow the
republic" Whether this necessity arise OF
not, any revolutionary movement will be char
acterized by an amount Of vindictiyeness from
which the outbreak of 1913 was altogether ex
empt. The organs of the extreme Republican
party have for months past urged the necessity
of being less forbearing than on that occasion
eve were merciful, " they say in substance,
'and see how our forbearance has been reclpro
cated Next time there must be vengeance"
The difficulty experienced in the mean time
by the leaders of the Republican party is to re-
strain their adherents from premature move
ments, which would have no prospect Of sue
cess. On this point the letter before us has this
remark:
"The government will do all il can during tn,
next six months, il is feared, to provoke by its
just and oppressive course, emeaes and collisions