The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-05-01
THE NATIONAL ERA.
TILE EUROPEAN WORLD.


ing for the approaching general electon-Louis Ma"
poIeon protesting against grand scheme Of his
own, on finding Il about TO burn his hngers-French
Presidential aspirants-The anomalous condition
of things political in France and Ensland-The
war Of tricks between Prussia and Austria-The
case Of Miss Talbot-U looks very much like a
scramble between clerical and lay fOrtune-hunters
The evils Of permitting church influences to rob re-
Iatiyes Of the property OF the dying devout-Thai
trick, which Is common, in and out of all churches,
Is using GOd's best gift to man (Christianity) for
the injury Of the best interests Of society.
NEW York, April 20, 1851.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
The Americas advices, reaching this city on
the day before yesterday, are barren of political
interest. That is, they tell Of no political events
Of importance occurring between the departure of
the last preceding steamer and that of this vessel
Yet her mails are replete, as usual, with facts
which taken separately, appear unimpOrtant
though in the aggregate they point with uner-
ing certainty to the continuation of the Contnen-
tai Governments in the policy of retro-action,
and Of their respective people in their formed
determination to be free.
Frederick William, Of Prussia, despite the
pltuEtb Oi LlDeIuilbu NuIbuBu hhlOh NO OOSoihCN
a second time the throne Of his fathers, appears
Just now to be most active aud audaciOus in his
attempts to Russianize his kingdom. He has very
recently forbidden the representation Of the operas
Of Massaniello and William Tell in his Capital ;
cause why? They contain revolutionary, or
rather patriotic sentiments He is afraid Of cat
gut and norse-hair. The American reader will
understand how unsafely be knows himself to be
sitting on his throne, on learning that though 1t
is propped up by an immense army, he dares not
face a mob-even on the stage He breads lest
some Berliner should catch an idea from hearing
the Prima Tenore sing "Pecheur parle vas"
This act of operate prescription not only signi-
fes that the Prussian Government, with its i'm
mense army and grand alliances, cannot insure
its tyrart against a Dupr6z and Mario; but it
involves pledge for the continuance of the re- |
actory policy, based on the use Of military arma-
ments and spy police, and the prohibition Of lib
eral books and scenic representations. Frederick
William could have adopted no more forcible ex-
pedent for giving political strength to the sug-
gestiye ide IS OF the prescribed works. His'pian
is as expensive as unsafe and troublesome He
consents to hold his dominions against the in
habtants thereof by military occupation. lie
must therefore have a large police army to look
after operate suggestions, and larger military
force to act as an army Of observation on his po-
lice force. He is plunging deeper into the slough
Of despotism, with each succeeding step he takes
In the work of resstablishng his authority, and
what Nicholas styles order.
As the time for the Presidential election in
France draws nearer, all parties there are doing
their best TO out-wt each other Louis Napoleon
has suddenly proclaimed that the law limiting
the suffrage right has no earthly application to |
his case. This act Is clearly unconstitutional.
He consented to its enactment, in the hope that
its operation would secure the return OF legis-
latiVe majority favoring his views and his con-
tinuauoe in power. The Legitimists and Or
leansts, who aided his small band of supporters
In the Chamber in perpetrating the violation of
the Constitution involved in this law, have out
wtted him. They knew that it's effect would be
the return Of larger body of ultra conservative
members-not of Bonapartists. The law proves
very unpopular with the masses, so the Presi-
dent avaling himself of that fact, coolly tells
his late allies that it was never intended to have
the slightest application to his He virtually
threatens to order the Government officers, whose
duty brings them in connection with the voting
to disregard the directions Of the Assembly, as to
who shall be permitted to vote for the next Presi-
dent of the Republic At present, there is
chance that q violent collision between these two
tha n onptp oau w of this
affair Yet, having an abiding confidence in the
success of the French republican experiment,
feel assured that ere the eeotion-day rolls round,
one or the other party to the dispute will give
way
The sound and safe Republicans have already
inscribed the name of Cavaignac second time on
their banners, and are actively canvassing in his
favor. In conjunction with the Socialists and the
Reds, backed by handful Of over-proud Legiti-
mists, they have defeated the proposed repeal of
the law exiting all of Bourbon blood. This re-
lieves Louis Napoleon from the fear of having
De Joiuville for a competitor in the race. Ii is
believed that the orleanists will support him, if
they cannot have the candidate they desire The
Reds and the Socialists seem each bent On sup
porting separate candidate, while the party of
thorough reaction will doubtless place Chsngar-
nier's name on their banner The division Of the
Republicans into three parties after this fashion
will, fear, strengthen the chance for the cleo
ton Of the late commander in chief in whose in
tegrity frmness, and patriotism, the Bourgeoise
have implicit confidence though many Of them
are among the best Republicans Of France Were
Changarnier able to divest himself Of his Legit-
mist associations, his election might operate IA
vorably on the future of his country, which up to
a very late period has required not only a check
upon the reactory tendencies, but we'll nigh equal
restraint on her ultra liberalists But he belongs
to Barrot, Theirs, & Concerning right enough,
but carrying out the views Of those who mean
wrong So far the hopes of France appear to
rest In the election of Cavaignac. But day may
bring changes in the political condition of the
Republic to induce us to hope for the success Of
none other.
The dissolution Of the present transitoryn
Ministry is daily looked for. In fact, Louis Ma
poleon's Government is just now In much such
fix as that in which Victoria finds hers Both
are in a legislative minority, and neither goes
out Of office, because in neither country does a
single party command majority. Thus none
are to be found there who will consent to take
the responsibility of governing, with the full
knowledge that they cannot be certain of carry
ing out their principles The failure Of all old
parties in France and England to be able to gov
ern proves the advance of liberalism the liberal
lists of both countries generally forming third
parties--psrties of progress - which hold the
balance Of political power.
This il the first time In the hiatorY Of ENGLAND