New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-12-25
FRANCE.
The Usurpatfon.

,euber after having r. al the journals OF the day'
ard supposing that the city was enjoying It's
usual tranquility went forth 20 get my break
fast. On reaching the boulevard, II was at oioe
evident that the Parisans were stirred ny 'o'"o
event Of unwonted interest. Groups Oh pe'S'n'
were converting IN whispers at the street COT
ners while others were fastening to the west
.na 81 ,be c;,v The waters were standing IDLY
=, ,,e door. Of the cafes, with their towels hang
-. l;stIessIy over their arms. My flrstidea was
that there was TO be grand ceremony at the inva-
Edss. commemorative Of the services OF the dead
Marshal Soult But the mystery was quickly
solved An official bulletin, posted upon dead
wall, was surrounded by All eager crowd a
dozen deep, who were reading, IN silence, the
prodjcious decree OF the President. Standing
ON tip-toe, and maintaining a sort Of uneasy
equilibrium, by means Of the shoulders OF two oil
the group, caught sight OF the words "Le
President de Ia Reputtque dtcr@te: Art Ter Las
,,mklfe Nationole est dissoute p And 10y looking
through a vista Of arms, read the signature:
"Done at the Palace Of the Elysee, this "a OF
December, 1851. LOUIS NAPOLEON BoNAPARTE.'
And thus did J. like the whole city OF Paris
team that the coup dttat had been struck during
the night 1t was read upon the walls, upon the
white paper used only for official procamatlons
The Monitor Of the morning, the Government
organ, contained not a word OF the revolution
that vas then in course Of accomplishment all
the newspapers had been published, IN utter
ignorance on the part OF their editors that the
Republic was shelved and the Empire IN
earthed.
This was at nine O'Clock, and comparatively
few were yet aware Of what was going on around
them. Those who knew the state OF things, d.
rected their steps generally toward the Eys6e,
the National Assembly, and the great rendez-
vous in all revolutions, the Place de la Concorde.
II was evident that the dissolution Of the Cham
ber having been pronounced on paper, was to ne
enforced IN the street Strong attachments OF
the line were picketed at the head of the Rue
Royae. and surrounded the Madeleine. The Rue
Royale was blocked up, and neither carriage
nor foot. passenger allowed to pass through it.
The Place de la Concorde was also surround
ed, and thus all access TO the bridge leading
TO the Chamber was cut Off The troops exc
cuted their maneuvres quickly and IN silence:
not drum was beat, nor an order given; the
sub officers seemed to be directed by an invisi-
bic hand and to be guided by voice heard by
none but themselves The object In blockading
the Rue Royale which conducts in a straight line
across the Place de Ia ConcOrde to the National
Assembly was TO prevent the possibility Of any
direct attempt being made by the ex-Representa-
tives to gain access TO their usual place OF meet
ing. Several streets, leading by roundabout ways
to the bridge, were left tree, as any manifesto.
ton made through such an approach would have
its face against the corners and right angles. The
approaches TO the Elys6e were likewise cut of.
The Hotel de Vile was guarded by a force of
10000 men the Paiais d'Orsay, where the Coun-
ell of State held its sittings, and the Quai
d'Orsay were lined with double hedge OF troops.
The garden OF the Tuileries was shut and one
solitary sentinel mounted guard at each en-
trance. The crowd, as they came in full sight
OF the preparations, saw at a glance that the
President was in earnest that all his measures
had been taken, and that the strong arm OF
power had laid its grasp upon every point of the
CITY, where a manifestation might be made. In
sight OF these precautions, every thought OF re-
sistance faded away, and every menace was
bushed, half formed upon the lips Throughout
the day did not hear an expression of retalla-
ton, single hope that the people would rise IN
revolt SO useless did any attempt seem 10 ar
rest the sway from him who by some marvellous,
unin,elligible means, appeared to hold the city
in the hollow of his hand.
II was near - o'clock and the streets were
full to OVERLOOKING. Dense masses OF people
collected at the spots where the decree and ap-
peal of the President Were posted When all
could not get sight of them, some one made
himself spokesman, and read aloud to the rest.
Bouses and black.coats appeared in about equal
numbers. Neither one nor the other bore an nlr
Of concern, of Disappointment or OF anxiety.
The aspect of the people was positively gay,
without beng careless. The loss of the Repub-
lie did not seem to sink deep into their breasts
Ii is true that whenever a general passed
through the streets, seeming by his decorations
and his epaulets to be high IN command and con
sequently deep in the confidence OF the Presi-
dent, he was received with volley of rather
dubious compliments. "Nive la Republique"
predeminated; but did not hear a single bas
Napoleon, and do not believe II was uttered once
during the day. The great secret of the light
heartedness of the people was, that none regretted
the downfall of the Assembly, and no one found
j, in his heart to be very severe upon the Ptesl-
dent for having turned them out of doors. As
the news of the arrests made during the night,
and still making as the day advanced, circulated
from mouth 10 mouth many laughed outright,
while none swore or clenched has fists, or ground
his teeth The Assembly fell without regret.
however illegal might be the act which destroyed
It, The attitude OF the people reminded me OF
the oath of FEBRUARY when, in the midst of the
most strange events, without government or.
law, and the city an their hands, the Parlsisns,