The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-20
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.
esrm.s,e Amalr., xo.-Ls,,sr No. ..

Notwithstanding the majority against them IN the
French Chamber the Bonaparsts hope everything, and
seek revision OF the constitution and polongailon OF
the powers of the President by appeal to the nation
Napoleon chosen consul by similar appeal although
The person proved TO have inscribed his name
ia ten registers, well three or four tunes in the same
register SO that the department OF the Rhine and Mo
sell they had votes than inhabitants. The petitions
now presented will strange scenes, the debates in
the Assembly have already verged towards personal
hets II is impossible predict the result. The great
powes-partieularly Russiawoud not suffer republic,
even il the nation were unanimous and educated Tor
seligovernment But, if the great powers remain
neutral what chance has the republic against the empire
and the monarchy And what chance has the monarchy
az anst the epublic And what chance has the empire
II The republic were established victorious all the
enemies
" That like deadly swarm
OF hornets armed,
rush upon it, would its ultra friends be satisfied with II I
Would they even stop at such government as that OF
the United States! Would they obey their own laws ,
The danger the present crisis, IS ta the divided par
ties will not abide by legal decisions, and that the reec
ton of the proposition 10 revise the constitution will
prove not the end OF the combat, but only short pause
in it, The rejection appears nearly certain; but by
oluton of the Assembly, after three months, the debate
may begin again de
Louis Bonaparle cannot be yet understood. Only a
future historian daw his portrait correctly II would
scarcely be just TO regard him exclusively from the
publican point of view the republic is understood in
the United States His position is mol that of Washing
ngton, although he Washington his
would have been very different. For moment he held
in his grasp The most dazzling opportunity He could
only rise equality with the soveregns OF Europe by
assuming an attitude as unlike theirs possible He
could have been greater than Napoleon only by escaping
the grand error into which that conquerer fell and by
appearing strong where he had proved weak He should
ALI al 81 ,lft
gar tricks OF ambition He should have aimed at moral
grandeur, by being unselfsh, Of pure private life,
be al statesman, sincere phanthropist, true Chris
an. He should have claimed no new millions, but set
an example of transformations simplicity and economy.
thus striking the eye OF the people, and contrasting with
the pomp of the departed throne Ia him poverty would
have been effective than magnlicence. By placing
himself at the head of the moderate democratic element
and using the proper means to rally around him the hun
dred million people who demand a European reform, he
might least have attempted something large and noble,
where even failure would have encircled his brow
with honor more durable than Perhaps he
might have succeeded in eiecling bleodless com
promise between the old system and the new ideas.
This would have been great role. But it required
high massive character, penetrated with the spirit OF
the age, and blending the qualities OF statesman,
soldier, and Christian, Instead OF seeking pro-
longation of power, he should have laid down his
office at the expiration of the legal erm-thus pre-
splendid than the coronation of Napoleon This would
not have been easy, nor unattended with danger; but
was the only course by which the descendant of the
hero OF Austerz and Egypt could appear in history
without suffering by contrast II is related that the
President declared he aoould be satisfied y he could be
Emperor three days !" This is the expression OF a child
It may be untrue but the report shows what the people
think.
While the restoration meets such difficulty in France
its task in Germany is nearly completed. Meernich had
scarcely reached his chateau OF Johannesburg when he
received the visits of many distinguished mobiles and
royal personages Among the first was Count Thun, the
Austrian representative, and president OF the Diet at
Frankfort, Their conversation could not have Ian
guished for want of subjects To Metternich Europe
must chess board, upon which he has played
rious games, and experienced many vicssitude His
king has been often in check for he has measured him
self with opponents who knew how 10 play well; but
they all gone. and there sits the renowned Phedoe,
CRYING check mate with quiet smile OF satisfaction.
The chateau is in the little duchy OF Nassau, not far
from Frankfort between which and II there is commu
nicaton by steamer and railroad, not unemployed by the
members OF the Diet who doubtless know where 10 seek
their inspiration Perhaps the famous old wine of Jo-
hannisbeg is felt in the affairs Of Europe If ii put
the questions raised since s5s, will eclipse the
draught of Rip Van Wrinkle!
The prince is very healthy and well preserved, not
withstandng his advanced age He occupies himself,
they say necessarily with political matters and sits hall
buried under piles OF new received letters
In the meanwhile The Diet at Frankfort meets every
day. except Saturday and Sunday, although their abos
thus far could hardly require two days week The
ambassadors accredited TO il furnishing their houses
for permanent residence, and, il paragraph in of
the leading morning journals be correct important
business will be upon the tapis To understand this
we must take glance at the Prussian project of
king the old provincial Diets-ihe question which now
agtates this county through It's whole length and
breadth
have previously explained what these provincial Di.
cts formerly were, before their supposed dissolution by
the convocaton OF them in lsf7 a united Diet repre-
sen,ing the nation have also stated tina, the Minister
Of the Interior, by late rescrp, has spread
ton through the land, at least through the constitu
ona party by reconvokng these Diets in their separate
provinces for the ostensble purpose OF regulating the de-
tails of the income aw these States having been
established by ordinance OF 1923 for the purpose OF
sanconng projects OF laws respecting their peculiar
provinces or which involve changes OF taxes. Of the
rights OF property or OF individuals.
In obedience to this rescrip the Diets OF the oirces
have preparatory to the assembling OF the provincial
Diets majority OF the former have protested against
any other consequence being drawn from their convoca
than appears justified by the si letter OF the mniste
rial rescrpt, while minority have gladly interpreted the
rescrp preliminary to the substitution OF
the provincial Diets (ber noble members TO be rcnpested
with their old feuda priveges place Of The er,sttng
chambers, and they have communicated TO the minister
addresses Of thanks for the restoration OF their old and
| al. ION odcd rights,