The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-03-11
NO. OIL.

N''A0~h o4c''O- pCIcpu anu inttlneF ne SOME
what resembles the late DR. Follen with an
occasional acerbity of sarcasm, however which
never appeared either in the face or talk of that
most benignant man He il about forty-fve
years Of age, has young wife and one child
and supports himself and them by his writings.
He was originally nottingham but coming
TO Paris, took part in politics, and was soon
elevated to distinction and a prison. The of.
fence for which he is confined is melting men
10 disafection with the Government, and q too
free criticism of the prevalent religions
This is a second fact in my experience Of
European republicanism
For some days | had been accustomed 10 re-
sort to particular cafe, to eat a outlet and
hear the news, of morning. few people,
apparently unknown TO each other, were in
the habit Of meeting there TO sip Their coffee
and spell out the DEGREES Of the official ga
zettes. Such thing as a general discussion
was not heard to my knowledge. But few
mornings since ] went to imbibe the usual
stimulus for the days work, when found the
doors and windows closed. How il thisa"
asked, of one who had come thither about the
same time; " Is any of the family dead, or has
the proprietor failed!" "0hl nothing Of the
kind, J" he replied; but some one has expressed
himself too openly on politics here, and the
shop is closed by order" {" Une belle repub-
iique :" said | ; but the man shrugged his
shoulder and went away. No doubt he
thought that the least said on that head was
the soonest mended
Well, now, let me add one more illustration
the condition Of the public prints. Many Of them
continue to be published. but what arc they
Where the dashing and brilliant editorials that
used to characterize the Paris press Where
tho c,,riuhftxy f,..nafa. h. x,;ffi
cism, the apt historical quotation the lively
and just criticism Alas! they are gone the
way of poor yNs;st's jibes, &c, that "were
wont to set the table in roar Only the
dsa repetition OF tee official DEGREES - the
Moniteur, faded and jejunc attempt to re-
mark on current events, a record Of the news
and notices Of balls and theatres are to be seen
in their place The paralysis which has smit-
ten political discussion seems to extend to the
whole literary activity. All the journals are
little better than Government organs. Now,
you know how obsequious and inane Govern
ment organ may be at home; but Judge what
it must be where instant suppression is the
alternative of any exercise of independent and
free thought
You will doubtless ask, Why do the people
endure thist They have universal suffrage in
their hands why, then do they not put an end
to such condition Of things? The answer is
that they do not endure but they consent
They rather prefer "the ills they have, than fly
TO others that they know not Off In other
words, they sanction the proceedings Of Louis
Napoleon for time, because they have no con-
fdence in any of the old parties and do not
know what course to pursue. They wee that
he is purging the political system of many old
and bad things; and their hope is, that in the
end he will himself be carried off in the draft.
He is dispensing the Lsgtimists and ooufsca-
ting their property; he is stopping the mouths
of mere incompetent agtators, and the great
body of intelligent people await the turn of
events.
At present therefore the probability is,
that Louis Napoleon will keep his position but
how long he will keep it, no man can tell. 1t
is position surrounded by the most frightful
endorsements His main reliance is on the
army, which at all periods Of French history
has been most unstable support. The people
are quiet for the nonce, but by no means salts
fed They are most Of them poor they are
already overburdened with taxes the Govern
ment is hopelessly in debt, and the acoruing
deficits can only DO met by tax on incomes,
which will increase the suppressed dissatisfac-
ton. An Administration, then, able To ride
| through all thu difficulties must be strong
| one, indeed-stronger than any that has exist
ed since the time Of Louis XIV, not excepting
that of the great Napoleon.
| A venerable mana man OF strong thought
| and brilliant faculties, who was the contempt
rary and friend of many who to US have be.
come historical personages, and who has
watched the shifting fortunes of France with
| an observing and loving eye--l mean the poet
preacher, Able de Lamennais-said to me the
other day "The misfortune is that we have
neither men nor parties in France any more"
The plaintive earnestness with which the old
man said this-by the way no greatly resem-
bes the late DR.. Charming, in figure and
voice--showed the depth and sorrowfu sinceri-
ty of his conviction "What them asked
lis to be the next turn Of eventslp After u
while he replied Who can say? The future
is dark; or, if Illuminated at all, only b. the
red flames Of general civil war. There is no
party TO whom we can look now; no man equal
to the situation. The Monarchists and tho Le-
gitimists are of course dead tho Republicans,
and the Socialists at war among themselves;
leading men are incompetent, OF do not possess
confidence, and there is no hope but in gen
eral ruin, out of which God doubtless in his
own good time, will raise up new order Of
things. At present We can only watt These
were not the precise words, but tho substance
of what he said
suspect Lamennais has uttered in this the
prevalent conviction of the moro thoughtful
man Of any weight o whit more sanguino than
he is. They all despair OF the existing party
leaders Cavaignac has some admirers, but no
friends Ledru Rollin inspires fear rather
than confidence. Proudhon and Louis Blanc
are considered utterly impracticable. AS to
Lamartine he has shown such an utter inca
pacity for the art Of governing, that he is re-
garded with feeling OF almost dcrsion. He
Is brilliant improvisation, said one 10 me, and
a man Of personal honor and courage; but his
vanity il Unreasonable, and his administrative
talents nothing A pitiable condition for any
nation, truly
Yet am solidly convinced, In the midst Of
all these failures and corruptions OF parties,
that the great body Of the French people arc
not only 81 for rcpublicanism, but Republicans
mt heart. A more kindly disposed, more order
ly, and more intelligent people, it would be
hard to find. In some of the rural districts, it
is true they are ignorant; but the mechanic
and working classes generally are not no. On
the other hand they are bright, clear, and
active minded They fully comprehend the
history and the position Of their country; and,
next to the Americans, are rs competent as any
on the face of the earth 10 manage their own
affairs But in order TO exhibit this compe-
tency, one thing il absolutely indispensable in
France it il the utter destruction Of that sys-
tenn of Capitalization which enables q few men
mt Paris TO control the destinios Of tho whole
So long "a that is maintained, no
permanent good ~ 10 be done by any party
nor is any permanent Government possible. 1t
produces periodically such congestion that
irregular and diseased action Of the entire sys-
tenn 10 the unavoidable result. Could the
French statesmen be made TO sec this, the path
Of the future would DO clear whereas an mat
ters are now, the entire sky 10 overcast, and the
apprehension of trouble dspresses every mind