The southern press., 1852-01-06
rsrslgs AGa,zs.


port from the great body OF the people.
1t will be perceived by returns already known
that the President has a great majority of vote
wherever they have been taken.
The working classes, as we before stated viii
make almost any sacrifice for peace, and that i
the reason why they cling TO Louis NAPoLEoN'
promises with degree of confidence, that be
trays their earnest desire for peaceful solution
of the present political difficulty. 1t is almos
needless to say, that the Bourgeoisie, although
containing many friends 10 the Orleanist cause
is equally disposed to side with an authority
which manifests an intention to re-estab.isl
free and constitutional forms of government.
The President is represented, as engaged ii
drawing up the new constitution. This difficulty
consists, it is said, in the formation of the Sen
ate. But this is the least portion of his Difficult
ty The great matter will be to make it act SC
as not to clash with the liberal measures and
views Of an assembly elected by universal suf
frage. 1t is almost needless to say, that u Senate
which can only represent the will and the author.
ity of government, and is dependent in no way
upon the people, will never be found to act
against power on any popular measure that may
be brought before it. Moreover, of what men is
the Senate to consist We hear that the Presi.
dent is perplexed to find the right sort of men
to accept seats in it. He is evidently driven to
choose again from among the parties that have
ever been hostile to the republic, and who seek
alone to keep up such state Of things, as may
convince the great body of the French people,
that republican institutions are inappcable in
France
The President, in constituting a chamber,
which shall be a mere instrument of the govern.
mcnt, and perpetuate the reign of sycophancy,
probably foresees the arrival of struggle be
tween it and the popular assembly, which will
enable him to make another grasp at the tinsel
crown and robe he has been so long dream
ing of.
To adopt a more rational system, and leave
the election of senators to the people, would be
to throw away all chances, and establish on a
basis, almost immoveabIe, the triumph of pop,,.
lar government. LOUIS NAPoLEoN has not sense
or honesty enough for that His advisers are
probably as little disposed to cripple thus a
power whose unsteadiness, leaves 30 many
chances open to the restoration of despotism.
The army of Africa is said to have decided
against the President. We apprehend that " it
not much affect the case if the votes Of the peo-
Ile decide the point in his favor.
We are far from anticipating a good consti.
tutional government yet for France The Pres
ident, by his manner of forming the Senate, so
clearly clings to tie arbitrary power, which is
the source of reaction and revolution in that
country, that it would be wrong to hope for IA
free government, and a free press with such an
evident retention of tie old habit
1t is mere restoration of Louis pHILlprE's 5
government, with more literally elected cham
Der; but with the additional danger of an ear.
F, lier and more certain collision between the two
powers.
The position held by the European powers
towards Eng land is now exciting much atten
ton, and some alarm. The activity in the dock.
yards is probably not without reason England
is well served with information through her Sc.
cret agents, and will prepare for the worst
The government has long been fully alive to the
vulnerable nature Of the country 1t has been
found impossible to persuade the English people
of it. Inexperence and braggadocia lead to
fool-hardy security, and any open efforts to
place the country in state of defence have been,
and will be, run down and laughed at.
The whole art of war is changed of this,
80 well are military men satisfied, that it would
be difficult TO find nm English officer of any emf
nence, who does not confess the danger The
aware Of the fact and this probably accounts
for any disposition to bully England.
For her defence, England has the spirit of her
people, most of whom rarely, if ever, handled a
musket. A spirit which, on every outbreak, is
checked with marvellous rapdty that excites
the derision of her own rulers. Then she has
the spirit of her middle classes, who have prac
tsed upon sparrows, and sometimes on pheasants;
and as rear guard, her aristocracy and gentry,
who, during few months Of the year, deal de-
structon among her well preserved game.
What use any or all of these classes would
make Of muskets, is yet to be seen. The French
and the Germans can do little against regular
troops much as they are accustomed to the use
of arms, and the whistling of bullets. What,
then, can be expected from people utterly uu-
disciplined and averse to such rude combats?
LOUIS NAPOLEON is capable of any prank
to please the French, and keep power And
rs the road to London is now open, there is no
reason why French army should not march
there.
England has iron arms but she has body of
clay.
We may see within few years strange
events The policy of this country may posi-
bly, have to be modified to suit new circum-
stances. The triumph of the Cossack, for the
present, is fact. 1t might have been stayed
without going to war, had Eagand and France
intervened in Italy and Hungary.