New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-02-16


in the world, that of Despotism and that of
Liberty. Now we understand by Liberty
that system in which the people govern
themselves and manage their own public
affairs according to their own convictions
and wishes. Despotism is that system in
which they are governed from above, by
persons set over them, who manage their
affairs for them according to their own SUI
preme pleasure. Where there is local self
government there is liberty where there
is Capitalization there is despotism. And
this. We make bold to say, is no American
idea or national prejudice, but matter of
principle, as universal as human nature and
as true at Paris as it is at Pittsburgh.
France lives under system of centraliza-
ton, and has done so for more than half
century. Therefore it has lived under
system of despotism, exposed to all the
chances, the revolutions and commissions to
which despotism is liable. In 1913, by one
of these chances, the principle of liberty
ard self government was asserted in terms,
but the despotic system was continued In
fact Hence the recent events. And in
these events it is not the mere change Of
Government which We regard with horror
and disgust, but the shameless, bloody, and
uttelly tyrannical way of It's accomplish
ment. 1t is one thiog for q nation deibe-
Iately, AID after ample discussion, to change
its political system; it is one thing for
people in volcanic burst of Indignation to
eXtiuguish the pretensions of obstinate and
selfeh kings or aristocracies; but it is an
other and very different thing for single
bankrupt perjurer by audacious and muir
delous violence to overthrow a constitution
ard destroy the sole legal guarantee, not of
real self. government, but of the principles
cut of which in time it must have grown.
The one is the act of nation and is re-
spectacle the other Of villain who tram
pies nation under foot.
But say some, Capitalization is necessary
to France in her capacity of the leader Of
civilization and the representative Of lib
erty she has a great battle to fight against
Russia and tyranny in general. She must
accordingly retain sort of military organ
ization, in order to be able to act with
ity both defensively and aggressively
against the mighty pewer of darkness.
The idea of minding other peoples bust
ness is more absurd for nation than for a
private man, and for France it is most alb
surd of all. If France, instead of keeping
a great standing army and taking care of
Europe at large, had devoted herself to
industry, education, decentralization and
the establishment of real self government
for the past twenty-five years, she would
have had no revolutions, and would at this
day have exercised twice the power over
Europe that she now does, and exercised
it peacefully, while her people would have
been happy and progressing in wealth, in
telIigence and all that constitutes national
greatness.
Now this may also be an American idea,
but it is, we think, common sense and truth
as well. And ii seems vain to talk about
social and territorial conditions preventing
its gradual application in France. 1t
might have been applied by any Govern.
ment thas has existed there since the En-.
peIor was crowned, not of course, all at
once, but by suitable degree. But this has
not been done; it has suited them better to
maintain despotism, and we see where they
have come to.
In eXtenuation of the part the French ma
ton have been made to play by Louis Ma
poleon, This conduct it does not extenuate,
but from patriotic views, declines to, con-
DENIM the Phare says the people were tired
ofthe Republic and wanted to be rid of it,
Certainly very eager want that must be,
which requires to be helped BY such entice-
men.s as Louis Napoleon has found neces-
sary to get himself to his present position
If the nation really wanted to do this thing,
why net wait till the election of next Nav,
and let q new Assembly be chosen, which
could have voted a revision of the Consti-
tuition! Thus the want might have been
gratifed in legitimate and peaceful way
without blOOdshed, perjury or terror. But
tue truth is, that nobody believes in any
such national want, and that the conviction
was universal in France that free, fair
election would only confirm the Republic.
Our cotemporary finishes with that pa
triotic common place, "Our country right
or wrong." This may be a respectable