The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1852-02-14
Fragments of History.

The New York Evening Post has introduced
into its editorial columns some remarkable para
graphs, which it describes as extracts from docu.
ments that have been sent during the last twelve
months by the Emperor Of Russia through his
minister, to Louis Napoleon They show that
the coup detat of Louis Napoleon was not mere.
ly stroke of personal ambition, but the result
Of carefully presoncerted arrangements, framed
and executed by the advice of the Gar, and
with the fall promise that any assistance that
might be required would be forthcoming in sea-
SOL.
The fret extract is said to have been written
early in 1851, and is as follows:
THE social and moral condition of France is
still fearful. Although the prominent leaders Of
Socialism and Rod Repub!ican,sn, are in exile or
in psson, yet dreadful dangers impend over soci-
ETY.. Nothing is secure every future con.ingen.
cy is to be dreaded 1t is with a wild and tri-
umphant exultaton that Jacobiuism looks for
ward to the possible events, to the social war
with which France, Germany, and other countries
may be visited in the next spring If so. the
most a,rocous schemes will be fully realized
. Why shut our eyesi There is In prospect an
abyss, in which may be swallowed up society
and civilization! Two forces stand mortally hos
tile each one to the other-Cons eryatisnl and
Socialism. The triumph Of the frs, will be and
must be, destructive to the latter.
II
what lasting good could you hope and ex.
pext from the Legislative Assembly, How
dlsgraceiul to great nation that body of jarring
parties, distracted passions, and narrow minded,
II not cowardly representatives, misled BY in-
trlsue and selfish views, and in which insolently
predominant few men of debauched character,
without spark Of true patriotism. In the
meanwhile, as an addition Of shame and grave
warning to stateman, there break out, in wild
exclan,aton' and speeches, the Mountain party,
eager on every occasion to glorfy the bloody
recoectons Of 90, and make an apotheoss Of
the williams who glutted themselves with crime
and revenge! Besides, do you not fully knew,
or do you forget, the hreatening designs which
the distracted parties cherish against you---you
the elect ruler by six millions of votes The
first blow against despised and necessarily
chatterlng Assembly will crush 1t to the ground ;
and there is the army, which, acting only under
the iron rule Of discipline will readily accom-.
plish it,"
In the autumn, many Conservatives, before
leaving Paris for a recess, urged Louis Bonaparie
to dissolve the Assembly before its NEE ling in
November. The intelligence reached Peters.
burgh, and then-remarks the Po.i-"th the notes
and dispatches Of The Russian Cabinent assumed
more energetic and widely reaching tone
Two fragments are suhjoined:
"The situation of things has become n,uflcra
bic. ~ faut en- sortir ct en- fnirr Your own
Interest is in serious jeopardy. To be or not to
be, that is the sole question Two prospects are
glarlng before your eyes-oylle or u French
home; Hter destruction, or splsrpid po,er' II
you do not strike, you riN Be struck down. The
working Of the constitution has become mortal
conflict 1t Is inevitable that one Of the two
powers should absorb the other. You must dare
you must act with undaunted courage! As a
statesman you ought to save, not only yourself
but France and Europe The true question is.
not what shall be the form or nature of the
State, but whether the government be competent
or able to conquer the spirit and forces of anar
chy, to save society from the most horrible visl.
tatious
You have under your hand great material
power--he aypyl We know how admirably
and omnipotenty is their discipline. We know
with what sklllfu care their feeling OF admiration
for great name have been cherished and foster.
tered. They will be eager to co ooperate with
you. They have been long md grisyolsly
smarting with the humilmtions Of 1880 and1ols
Their time their glorious and patriotic tine has
come at last Strongly and unanimously they
will support you; aud besides, have they not
paramount interest TO support you, by becoming
a paramount power in the State and the defend.
ers OF society and civilization! Remember the