The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-01-01
L r 81 "asEns2 GoSsS-
n = II IN
THE UsURPATION OF LOUIS NAPOLEON.

Inc usurpauOn OF Louis Napoleon continues
to be the subject of comment and speculation.
The London papers Indignantly denounce it.
The Absolutist journals of Europe are pleased
with it, The skill, decision and audacity of
the movement were doubtless the result of pre-
concerted arrangement with the courts of Aus
tria and Russia The Presidential election in
France in the spring, was looked forward to
by the masses in Europe, as a crisis involving
the revolutionary cause generally, and it
seemed to be generally understood that it was
to constitute the signal of combined move
ment on the part of the reyolutionists 1t be-
came important to forestall this event, by
coup fetdt which should PROSTATE the Re-
publicans, and secure immediate ascendency
TO the despotic principle A more convenient
tool than Napoleon could not be found. Am
bilious, selfish, tyrannical, disloyal, and in i'm
minent danger of impeachment and arrest, he
was prepared to enter into any arrangements
with the Absolute Powers of Europe which
would make him master of the French People
Never would he have ventured upon the peril
GUS example of his uncle, but for encourage
ment from those Powers
This explains why the Governmental paper,
at Vienna and Berlin are gratifed at his move
ments, and also the statements made in the
newspapers, that Prince Schwartzenberg, in
answer to an appeal made by Compile de Cham
bord Henri V, assured him that Louis Napole-
on would receive the countenance of all mo.
narchical cabinets There can be no doubt Of
this; for no matter what Importance they may
attach to Legitimacy, an illegtimate Despotisn
is with them infinitely preferable to Republic
canism which they will never recognise as le
climate.
Of course the Usurper affects profound re.
gard for the People, and pretends to refer tc
them the whole question of his continuance in
power. He orders an immediate election, b,
the SOldiery and the People, in which they are
to pronounce judgment upon his acts; bu
this is miserable mockery. They are to vot,
under drawn sword The reign of terror i,
already established, and then they are appealed
to, as if they really had any freedom of choice
Reports continually reach us, that the usur
patton is completely successful that the sub
mission is universal, that the country is tran
quill We do not believe a word of it, All the
channels of communication, it must be recol
lectod, are in the possession OF the Usurper
Such information is sent abroad as will sub
serve his purposes But Notwithstanding this
surveillance, we catch glmpses at the true
state of things The People are stunned, no,
subjected The blow fell Unexpectedly, and nc
preparations existed for an organized resistance
While the Republicans, and Monarchists, and
Socialists were quarrellng among themselves
the man who had the control of the army fell
upon them, shot some, imprisoned Others, and
scattered the rest to the four winds of heaven
But the severity of his measures now shows that
his success is incomplete and temporary. FoI
example-seyenty-three newspapers have been
put down. Orders are issued to shoot all per-
sons resisting the Uusurper's authority. -Four
Departments are declared in state of siege
that is, they are placed under the law of the
bayonct The Republican leaders are every
where prescribed, and are either concealine
themselves or flying from the country. Every
where, the signs of disaaecton are gathering. II
is impossible it should be otherwise. The French
People will soon recover from the effects of the
shock, and woe, then, to the Usurper. Let re,
action again once begin, and his fall will be as
sudden as his rise and his fall will be the signal
of rising of the Republican masses, which,
we hope in God may overwhelm and destroy
every digntnry in Europe, root and branch.
The following is the latest despatch from
France brought by the steamer Canada,
which arrived at Halifax on the 26th
France-Tbe Paris correspondent of The
London Globe states that four more Depart
ments have been declared in u state of siege,
and that the Minister of War has sent cir
cular to the Generals throughout France to
cause the immediate execution Of all persons
taken for the commission of acts of murder and
pillage
The Paris Constitutional states from an Off
cial source that the whole of the Department
of the Basses Alps is in the hands of the Social
lists This, however, is generally believed to he
en- cxaggeration on the part of the Government,
for the purpose of concentrating the efforts OF
the friends of order ON behalf of the President
The same correspondent also states that
many of the Communes in the Bases Alps are
already free from the presence Of the Socialists
Several distinguished members of the Legiti-
mist and Orleans party have recently sent in
their adhesion TO the Government.
1t is stated, on the authority Of London
Journal in reference to the report that the
Prince de Jonvlle and the Due dAunale in.
tend to place themselves at the head Of move
msnt in opposition to, Louis Napoleon, that 81