The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-11-14

The more contemplate the present of things 10
France the more impressed by the overwhelming
power concentrated in the hands OF Louis Napoleon.
The only other Circumstance that may be said TO
sion equal surprise is the apparently universal acqu
escence OF the powers OF Europe in his schemes.
The comparatively short period of time which has
been consumed in organizing and in consolidating
bis dominion all France proves that he is a
holder and skilful manager than be was al
first believed 10 be. But il is quite probable that The
great secret OF the OF his experiments is the
iey OF the for any state OF things except that
which, so far France is eoncemed-as proved by
recent oeeurences-is condition OF anarchy and OF
bloodshed alone The fact that the uprisings of the
people in France since 1s4s have resulted in no
settled rational policy, but have given rise to the
widest and to the most mpractcabe ideas Of
governmentihis fact has been welded by Louis Napo
leon with much effect He has made it the for
his own extraordinary usurpaons. He has held II up
spectre to erify his counirymen whenever indie
pendent mind has opposed his schemes. While gradual
y crushing down every barrier which has been erected
some show Of popular defence against the oppres
sons of the ruer-w bile resoluely extnguishing every
spark of liberty OF spirit in the press-while nufy.
ing the scan powers OF the legslaure--he squanders
VI PuuhC HouCy III PuuHC uioPsJo 0hn ~ pun
lie Improvements, thus concatng trade by his largesses
on the hand, and the other, sencing the CON-
plants Of labor too often without bread In the midst
of the glare of the extended and expensive fes-
tvilies arranged to please and to blind the people,
and in the midst Of the silence OF the masses en-
gagged upon works which he directs TO adorn the cap
a, and to facilitate the purposes Of commerce. he points,
through his pensoned presses, to the failure which at
tended the efforts of the banished patriots who labored
with zeal and with heroism to accomplish the great work
of French regeneration. The army OF Louis Napoleon
may be said TO be divided into dvsonstha which
carries the musket the sword and that which dis
penses local power in the departments. The one de-
stroys what the other denounces. No matter how high
the intellect, or how spolless the name, how full OF
glorious services the history. of those who protest against
the rule OF the Prince President punishment always fol-
lows detection and exile is inevitable to all who offend
more than once II success is genius, il tyranny is
craftsmanship if ambition is wisdom, then is Louis Ma
poeon the ablest and wises, Of European rulers
The preparations for the empire progress steadily and
on grand scale. Imperial and complete power is the
in the drama Independence OF the judiciary and
OF the representatives of the people Is to be the corner
stone OF the edce to rise under the auspices OF the
Prince President. To effect this object, his officials
have procured what is naivey called expression of the
spontaneous preference of the French for such
despotism land trodden under foot by army of
hired soldiers and obsequous observation-disclosures free
press unfettered NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the right to
speak out IFS great thoughtssuch land is like sleep.
ing giant bound in chains The people of France ask for
empire with the bayonet at their threats. To refuse
is rebel and to rebel is to die. They submit without
murmur because where all is desolaon and oppression
live in OF stess Indifference and yield the
yant they cannot resist. How long will this last is
now the question. Alas how long 1t may be many
years before the spirit OF France breaks out
against those who wrong her. and then il may be
another revolution without rational wel-defned
purpose TO be succeeded BY another age oppression and
by another despot like Louis NAPOLEON