The daily union., 1852-05-15


ine mere narrative character OF my remarks. But Il ha
been necessary TO the object which have had in view
and shall be compelled still further to ask the patienc
Of the Senate by historical recital OF events connected
with the late revolution. But before proceeding desirs
TO state that my object has been 10 show that the revou
ion Of ls45 not brought about by the prevalence
republican sentiments in the minds OF the French people
but BY combination OF various elements arrayed agans
tue government
Hihe revolution Of is4s, by which the monarchy be
ton o IDEAS avor @ psfn Of republican and III
revolution OF 1851, by which the republic became des
pottsm had been brought about by rerogradation o
republican ideas and sentiments or Of conviction in The
minds of the people OF its insuticiency TO answer the
great ends Of government and OF civil society then there
would be, indeed. reason for concluding that repub
canism is permanently and hopeessy PROSTATE in Eu
rope Its condition. admit is dscouraging and dishear
ening enough but am not willing TO consider i en-.
tSsly hopeless. have faith in human progress and
progress in the science of governments in the direction o.
republican institutions. Does any one doubt this
Will any one deny that progress in government s 10 be
ound in institutions emanating from the people Mans
ncompeency to govern himself is the apology of depots
civize him. teach him his duty to himself and to others
that he has righs-and that knowledge will qualify him
fo their exercise and enjoyment, and you thus take
away the yrants plea Civilization is but term. ex
pessive Of the progress Of mankind in the knowledge
which teaches him how discharge the duties and enjoy
the benefits and blessings OF civil society 1t is but
arother name for knowledge, and advancement. in
knowledge (Which s human progess is onward and its
course cannot be permanently changed A combination
Of causes may check it, Ii may stand still for time In
tie midst of commissions and revolutions il may go back
ward for season, as did the shadow on the dial But
IT. law law OF progression. and its ultimate is
forward. In this-in the enlightenment of the agethe
pd transition OF ideas by the thousand avenues closed
speedy and permanent renovation and triumph of repub
lean institutions over the old systems Of government,
built upon the ignorance, and consequently upon the
Weakness OF the people. s-
But, without dwelling further on the causes which pro-
duced the revolution OF 1s4s, going length into
examination of the abstract reasons furnishing hope
for renovation OF republican institutions in Europe at
20 very distant day, proceed to inquire whether the
lite revolution in France is TO be attributed to the decline
republican sentiments and principles in the minds Of
tue people
The revolution OF ls4s, although brought about by a
combination OF discordan political parties, was followed
bJ the establishment OF provisional government, repub
in IN Its orm and few months later was replaced by
ieguar republic emanatng from the people. AT that
period, although the republican party in France constitu-
tee by no means majority Of the whole people. any
other form OF government than republic impossible
ostensbly, Dupont de PEue. but really Lamane, had
become popular with the people by virtue of its modera
ton and the magnanmity OF its acts 1t had maintained
peace with foreign nations and afforded protection to the
PERSONS and security to the property OF the citizens The
middle classes always friendly to order and adverse to
IDlitcal revolutions detrimental TO the interests Of
disry, although not strictly republicans unwilling
tc change the existing form OF government The new
government had conferred upon them large political
privileges. which the monarchy had denied them,
and afforded them security, which was all they de-
sired Without preferrng IT, therefore, TO the constitu-
tcnal monarchy which succeeded they were prepared TO
support IL; and uniting with its friends sustained il by
voting for republican members to the convention. BY
tAs Onion majority OF republicans elected, and
ratification oil the existing form OF government secured
There was however, large and formidable minority in
The convention hostile to republic, composed principally
Of monarchsts attached TO other OF the prescribed
and socialists. Outside OF the
government were other enemies more Immediately dan
Eerous TO its existence These foreigners refugees,
OF men opposed to all the restraining institutions of civil
society," and 10 society ITSELF unless some Utopian and
impractcabe form Against all these enemies the repubs
zaon Scarcely had it been launched and before form
and symmetry had been given TO it. its power consol
Dated the 18th OF May insurrecton organized
for its overthrow by that class OF the population which
have just REFERRED composed Of foreigners and men in
whose estimation order reproach and civil govern
ment OF every kind wrong because il is restraint
Two hundred thousand OF these men rose in armed insur
recon to put down the government Paris, well a,
the convention, for while in their possession and
the OF the worst days OF the old revolution were
renewed.
But ew comparatively, of the troops of the line were
in Paris, and the reorganization OF the National Guard
not being complete the main reliance OF General Cav
aignac Tor the defence OF the convention and the city
on the Gsdrd Mobile, composed principally OF young
men and boys of the aborng classes, organized subse
qsenty to the revolution OF February through the infu
ence and fundamentally OF Lamarne The contest was
doubtful, and lasted several days The force under
Cavaignac, owing the paucily OF its number, being
obliged TO leave many strong positions unoccuped. they
were seized and fortified by the insurgents. Barrcades
mounted with cannon, having been erected thest
points, they became almost mpregnabe But the energy
OF Cavagnac the courage Of the troops OF the line,
the gaany OF the Guard Mobile, who marched TO The
assault Of these formidable defences with the sieadaes
OF veterans OF hundred battles, finally triumphed
The carnage was frghtful; hundreds Of these gallant
fellows persisted in front OF the barricades, fighting fo
the maintenance OF civil order and constitutional freedom
In this contest the sdberents Of both branches OF h
ancient monarchy the Bonapartists and socialists tool
the side OF the government and labored with it's friend
10 suppress the insureclIon and preserve order Bu
although in this crisis. threatening the subversion OF
ernmen,, they nevertheless hostile to it, and from
the fret engaged in plots to change its form.
Mr. President, pass over for the present the varou
phases which the opposition assumed and come to tb
period Immediately preceding the revolution OF Decembe
astmerely stating that, after the insurrechon OF NAV
Is4s, the civil administration OF the government wa
temporarily vested in General Cavagnac, in whose hand
remained until the election OF President under tn
constitution.
AT the election of December, 1s4s, Louis Napoleon
Bonaparte chosen President, in pursuance OF tn
provisions OF the constitution, for period Of four years
representative chamber elected al the same tms
The majority OF votes in favor OF the President i'm
mense. All parties, in the hope OF promoting their
views Of government either directly or indirectly, sup
ported hin. Most of his popularity, however, was du
TO his namea name still worshipped in France with
ihusiasc devotion by great portion of the people.
first, majority OF the Assembly disposed suppo
his government; but the dividing line between the pow
OF the executive and legislative branches OF the gov
eminent not being very clearly defined by the constitution
and sometimes clasbing with each other, misunderstood
ngs and eaouses the consequence and these grey
speedily into open ruptures. ,t
The legislative body, large and unwieldy, unaccus
toned to the habits of eglsation and composed OF dis
cordant elements, made little progress in BUSINESS
did nothing Or on the cOnh1pnrp of tb