Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-27
THE LATE REVOLUTION IN FRANCE.
FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.
LONDON, DECEMBER 4, 1851.

LONDON, DECEMBEh 1901.
Last week this great metropolis was without a
lion or a wonder, and we were immersed in the al |
most Cimmerean darkness of November fogs; now
we have hon in the shape of that not very rare
occurrence, Revolution in France; and dreary
dark November has given place to bright, sunny,
but cold December, with the almost universally
cheerful anticipations of Christmas and its feast
ngs, and its gatherings, and its associations; we
say almost, for alas, in the vast family of mankind
there will be many to whom Christmas will bring
painful recoections and feelings that that social
season can never be again what it has been to them
but let that pass Of the coup 6etat so vigorously
and efficiently struck by the French President we
shall have much to say before we close and, may
truly add, we know not what may be the state OF
public affairs in " La Belle France" at the end Of
the current twentyfour hours; at present however,
all looks favorable, quiet, and peaceable In Lon
don the change is great The newspaper Offices are
besieged for late editions Of the papers The stock
exchange movements, which have lately been infu-
enced by rise or fall Of of per cent, have
now to contend with the effects of fall of "a per
cent in six hours and London, which, when we
last wrote, was alphabetically torpid, is now anxious
active, and excitable No political changes in the
foreign relations Of England are anssSpated from
| ibis new phase in the condition Of Frssco How
the other continental nations may regard IT. it would
be presumptuous even to guess. France will, no
doubt, from an increase Of the elective franchise,
become more democratic in her institutions. She
is already too much SO for many of her continental
neighbors, and we think she is likely to become
more unpalatabe to the taste Of most Of them but
their own condition, resting as they upon very
uncertain tenure Of power, will prevent, it is very
probable, any of them thrusting finger into the
French political pie; seeing they know not how
soon they may have dish Of very similar ingre-
dents placed before them It is quite clear that
England is bound to recognise whatever Chief Ma
gistrate the French nation may elect or accept to
govern them. However we may hesitate to APP
prove his rashness, and deprecate his unconstitu-
tionalism it is obvious that of these things the peo
pie Of France are the only proper judges. And
provided that judgment be fully consulted and fair
ly pronounced, we, in diplomatic courtesies and
public relations, have but to abide by it.
| Louis Napoleon and the French Legislative Cham
Der standing, and have long been standing, in
directly antagonistical relations. We do not pre-
sumo to say which entertained the most loyal feel
ings towards the Constitution and the institutions
which both had solemnly sworn to support and de-
fend We think, however, that the changes which
the Chamber, if it had prevailed over the Presi-
dent, would have endeavored to bring about would
have been in opposition to the desires and the
| prosperity of France than those which Louis Napo
leon apparently advocates and promises to sustain
At the time when LouIs NApoLEoN achieved his
coup Tctat it is very well known that large por-
ton of the Chamber was debating upon the imme-
date arrest Of the President So far as it appears
at present, the blow struck by Louis Napoleon was
trictly defensive. He was placed in position in
(which, to use common expression, he had to kill
or be killed" and if killed, leave to France an in
heritance Of anarchy, alternating between sagnaton
| and turbulence, but in either case anarchy. He
knew this; he struck the first blow; if he had
not, it is probable that in few hours he would
have received it. :" he has set his life" or at all
events his power and position "upon the cast, and
he will stand the hazard of the die" If we wish
him success it is because all our wishes are for the
peace and happiness of France; and, although we
are far from having unlimited confidence in either
his principles or his proceeding we think he and the
HlcH Wy WHom Hc ID Ihcly Uc VIII mOIc
truly consult the wishes and promote the we-being
of the people than would any man Of the elder or
the younger branch of the Bourbons, or any sup
porter of either who might be placed in power over
France, through the successful Vaccinations Of
Messrs. Theirs, Mole, or Odilon Barrot-some of
whom competent to give lessons in conspiracy to
even Catiline himself For England we have no
thing to fear from the proximity Of disturbed France
We have no republican faction here, our fathers
had sixty years ago, threatening the assertion of
French principles, the rights Of cashering kings
and pundering mobiles were called at that time. We
have no allies on the Continent with the exception
of Belgium and Holland they will probably be
only very slightly agitated by the political hurri-
cane which must before long sweep over Europe
for whom feel any special interest. In short, to
England the turn which affairs may take in France
must be, in all selfish regards, matter of almost
absolute indifference but for humanity's sake, and
for the sake of amiabe and accomplished neigh
bors, sincerely wish for France and her people a
just and stable Government.
We scarcely know how to bring our news from
France into any thing like regular and COM
pact shape, but we will try to furnish brief chro
biological summary of news as it has reached us
through our daily papers.
On Tuesday the second editions of the morning
papers gave the startling news received by subma-
rine telegraph: That Louis Napoleon had that morn
ing dissolved the Legislative Assembly, declared
Paris to be in state of SIEGE proclaimed universal
suffrage, and committed Generals Cavaignac, Chan
II Il.1~