Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1852-01-07
THE REVOLUTION IN FRANCE.

Z
50 boldly achieved by President Bonaparte, and we
gave some of the details connected with it. Napo-
leon has shown that he possesses at least one quality
of his great uncedecison of character and rapidity
OF execution; but whether success is to crown his
late usurpatlon, matter to be determined by time
and events. - =
The Richmond Enquirer publishes some letters
from Paris descriptive Of the revolution and the state
Of Paris, and accompanies them with the following
remarks ,,.. r.: .. go.
"There is an air of romance about the inception
OF the movement which indicates much more sagacity
and bodness the part of the usurper than has been
usually ascrihed to him.. The night of the success
ful coup detat, brilliant and animated reception was
given at the Palace Eiysee. The President did the
honors with great Shasif:y and appafensiy with
tire devotion to the entertainment Of his guests. A.
bout midnight (and here we quote from the cores
pondent of the National Intelligence) the President
was called out fon circle of officers and projects
Of departments who were playing the courtier in the
presence of him whom they were sure would be one
day their Emperor. He passed into an adjoining cab
met, where he met couple of his intimate counsel
ors and deyoted partisans. They told him that the
decisive moment had come; that, in fact, he must
now choose whether he would 60 to prison as cap
tive to the Tueres Emperor; that the allied
factions in Parliament intended the morrow to in
troduce and carry a measure that would intaibly
suit in his impeachment and incarceration, unless
efgetcay prevented by the prompt execution of the
counter stroke that mad been long snce prepared and
which he must now let fall. every well, gentlemen,
hand me the decree and the procamations; I'll sign
them. But the Minister of the INTERIOR is not pres
ent; We have no time now to send for and consult
with him; appoint, at the instant, M. de Morney
Minister Of the Iaterior; let him countersgn the de.
cree. And now let it be Immediately executed, and
let the Proclamations be issued.'' The President
then returned to the crowded saloons, and a couple
of friends who were at the Elysee that evening"
port that he continued to perform his role OF host with
a wonderful sang fro;d and cheerfulness of manner
that prevented the first suspicion the part of his
guests that he had just played the decisive game Of
his fortunes-his head against throne! Before day
the next morning Generals Changarnier Lamorioiere.
and Cavaignac seized at their respective resi-
dences by detachment of troops dispatched for the
purpose. Before day, and with the utmost silence,
without causing the slightest alarm in the city, large
bodies of troops directed upon the Place du
Palais Bourbon, the Place de la Concorde, the
Champs Elysees, the Hotel de Vile. and Place du
Carousa. Daylight found all these strategic points
of tie city in the quiet possession of NJ Bonapartes
soldery. The questors of the Assembly were ar
the sit,ings held guarded by troops, with
strict orders to prevent members OF the Assembly
from passing in. The first intimaon that the Parsians
had of the audacious revolutionary movement which
was in process Of execution came from the placards
which, by order of the usurping Dictator were post
The President escorted by strong body of horse,
and with numerous staff embracing marshals, ex-
celmans and Jerome Bonaparte and Lucian Murat,
made excursions through the streets. He wore a
ghasty smile of anxiety at the coldness with which
the received by the infantry Of the line and the
people, though he was cheered by the cavalry and the
eendarmerie. The National Guard, however, was
treacherous its mission, guardians of the liberty
| of Paris. The people had no arms, even if they
were disposed to revolt-a most extraordinary usur-
patton was rapidly consummated-'' order reigns al
Paris,' and the Republic of France is now doubtless
ruled over with iron rod by an arrant Dictator.
usurper, and on the Goth and 2lst Dec, the free c
zens of France have, doubt, humbly submitted te
the chains forged for them, and have recorded thai
election, upon his own liberal programme. of die
tator for ten years. There be doubt that the
factions in the National Assembly. by their own dis
sensions and follies, invited the audacous movement
of Louis Napoleon. The people had los, confidence
in them, and were ready to fly to almost any aterna
tive for supposed protection. The usurpatlon MAJ
succeeded-the people of France, stuPehed by tn
suddenness ef the trick fascinated with the militia
ry glory of the name of Napoleon, have been drawr
into the trap. If they submit quietly they deserve
no better government-but it may be that they viii
awake from their inglorous sumbers and MAKE
another violent effort though their leaders are In Prs
on to shake down the dictator from his throne, lmPe
rial in everything but the name. We cannot bellev
that he will maintain his power for any extended pc
riod. New leaders will spring up, and France may
soon have to 60 through the most violent throes' II
their aspirations after freedom which they seem tt
have too little spirit, sense frmness to enjoy I'M
future OF Europe is full Of mighty ssues-and France
NAV still be the centre whence tumult and revolution
will penetrate the whole continent.