The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-10

the French people below even the standard of Rus
sian or Austrian serfdOm.
It would occupy too much space to recount
you, ofthe brutality and ferocity Of the sodiery,
sanctioned and directed by the highest authority.
Women as well as men have been its victims. The
particulars would shock and disgust; and can as.
that it would not be exceeded by the reality. No
words can convey to you an adequate idea of the
horrors which have been enacted here within few
days, and all under the disgusting pretext of
Before concluding, will merely observe, in reply
to these who excuse the conduct Of the usurper on
the ground of its necessity as means Of preventing
civil war; O., war bet ween himself and the Assem-
bly,, that such could never have arisen if the
executive power had shown disposition to confne
itself within its own constitutional limits. Would
the Assembly have entertained any plots or designs
against the person Of power Of Louis Napoleon had
they not had perfect knowledge of his criminal
designs against themselves and the government or
had they been assured, Tin other words) that at
the expiration of his term of Office he would have
retired from power, and submitted himself, in con-
formty to his oath, to the conditions of the funda
mental law! Had he done so, or had his conduct
left any hope that he intended so to act, cause
Of quarrel between the Legislative and executive
powers could have existed; and the Bonapartists
and republicans uniting, for in this case they would
have been identical, would have been too strong
for the monarchists, and the republic would have
murmur heard. But must conclude this long let
ter. have no more room left for anything further
at present. will repeat only what | said before.
viz that the play is but begun: We arc waiting
for the denouement. Yours, H. M.
DECEMBER IL, 1851.
Condition of France--Ihe Coup dEtat--Ihe
Military, &c.
The Prince, President, Dictator. Emperor, or
whatever else they may think proper to call him,
continues still to exercise his office of Journalist
secs the light f light it can be called where there
is no ght,) which il not sanctioned and authorized
by this voracious gormandzer of all political, civil
and military power, or which, from its baseness,
servty, mendacious character, is not certain to
meet his appreciation. Journalism, properly speak
ing, is at an end-tbe press is completely crushed.
Sheets indeed, bearing the names ofjournals which
lately existed are again to be seen; but, alas how
changed The palpable body, indeed, is there
the outer form-but the soul is fed.
I'VE start for soul is wanting there"
The rest of the comparison is hardly applicable,
for confess can see no particular 'sbeauty in the
form or outward aspect Of the Partisan Journals.
But soul they had, undoubtedly, until It was
violently expelled by the irresistible force of the
coup detM, backed by one hundred and fifty
thousand bayonets. It is sad to think how much
talent, learning, eloquence and ability have
been suddenly crushed by sheer brute violence.
The Thousands Of clever and accomplished men
whose pens sustained the press while it enjoyed
comparative freedom, and some Of whom had made
the mselvcs lustrious by their writings, have been
forcibly driven from their honorable employment.
One of the most distinguished of them, and whose
name is we'll known in America-Monsieur Emile
Girardin, late editor Of the PresSchas, it is said,
become insane Monsieur Lamartine, beloved for
his amiability, esteemed and respected for his
rectitude and high principles, and honored for his
independence and courage, has retired from his con-
lately chief editor. l mention these two instances
particularly, because the names and characters of
these two gentlemen are well known in the U nted
States. They, however, are but two out of
present system Of breaking down, roofing up,
or enslavng and degrading every occupation or
profession which requires for its honorable exercise
any degree of liberty and independence.
The question naturally suggests itself, what is to
become OF so numerCusa body of highly intelli-
gent, liberal minded. and, in many instances, highly
gifted men! lspeak, of course, Of that portion of
corps editorial who are too honorable 20 prosti.
tute th.mse)ves to power They canrot quit the
country, nor can they ever be reconciled to the
crushing defpo,ism whose malignant star is now in
the ascen dant, and whose continued domination is
so utterly inconsistent with the free exercise of
their peculiar talents and powers. This class Of
men, as well as every other who have any self
respect ard intelg any sense OF moralobliga.
tion, ana who can see scoundrel as well in purple
as In rags will ever be the secret or open enemies
of the present order of things. To give you
an idea Of what honorable N d high minded
gentlemen think of the present reign Of brass
and bay onets, ] will mention one out of
gro at humber OF instances of dstin yuished udi-
vicuals. who, having found their names placed upon
tie list of the friends and adherents of the Eysce,
| have expressed their disp'easure and indignation
at discovering that they had been thus disgrace
fully smugglcd into connection which they
heartily desIised. This orc was that of Monsieur
Suchet due de AlbufcIa, (son OF the Marechal of
that name.) who, finding himself thus unceremo-
riousy treated, wrote letter to the present occu
pant of the Elysce, expressing his dissatisfaction
at what had been done without his Snowle ige, and
observing to the would be empeI or that the uncle
Of the latter had ennobed his father (the late Due
had now dsgrac ed it by placing it upon the list Of
his (the nephews) friends. This, am told, has
been published in the English pspers--for in the
French papers, Is / have already intimated, no.
thing permitted to appear which in the remotest
way may reflect upon the conduct or character
ofthe present self constituted bead of the French
government, if, indeed, Ne may dignity with such
name the association of unprncipled and proaigate
adveItureIs who, for the time, have the game in
| their hands.
That you may judge Of the sort Of tools made use
Of to aid in the late burglary upon French liberty,
| may mention what is in the mouth of every one
vz-that one Of the members Of the present cabinet
after beirg compelled to quit the army for good and
sufficient reasons, became subsequently mltrc
d mes, or fen cling master, and then actor at the
| Gymnase, one Of the minor theatres. i have been
informed of other circumstances of the career Of the
same individual; but, if | dwelt upon such sma all
matters, should have no room left for things Of
more importance. can assure you, however, that
from the sample give you of the stuff of the present
government, you may form very just idea Of the
remainder OF the piece. 1t is composed of
the worst and most corrupt Materials
crew OF lawless, goddess, worthless and desperate
men, who look upon politics as game of trickery
and chicane, in which every player is expected to
and pillage his antagonists, ard in which the pee
pie ard The country OF any farther considered
than as the CON mon spoil to be plundered and d.
vidtd In Judas 1scariot, John Wilkes, and Ro-
bert Macaire, we see the feeble types Of the good
faith, the religion, the patriotism, and the morality
OF the present rulers Of the French. You may
think, perhaps, that in saying this, indulge in
figure Of speech, and that | mean what say to be
Eeu with NJ nj In but do