The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-09
Paris Correspondence OF the Republic.

4 Paris Correspondence OF the Republic.
The Aspect of -ABans- Rossuih's Mission Oosr-
LOUIS Napoleon Supported by the Church, BY tn
Army, and by The small Property iIold,rs-PrO-
babe Duration Of fIisting State Of Inings-
BTsf0sn and France
PARIs. January 10, 1852.
We have had news OF the reception in the United
States OF the accounts Of the coup detat but it il
clear that nobody there had comprehended the
whole matter The political change here and in
Europe Ia like sudden coming back Of winter
upon spring. blasting the vegetation, and freezing
down all in chill and sullen desolaton Every
vestige of liberty is swept away in France The
press 10 dumb. except to euogize the government
record its DEGREES, or give annals of Indifferent
events Spies infest the Boulevards, the ca fes the
thoroughtares, and even the Salons not disdaining
to wear the mask Of fsstivity, to wheel in the
waltz, and join in the song. Even officers of the
rank Of captain have stolen into social parties in
the guise OF visitors. and have reported forthwith
what they heard and to the police. What
must be The state Of public sentiment when men
wearing cpaulettes can do such things and not be
cas-. out like reptiles?
Almost every day brings forth a new batch of
DEGREES, some of which would have dono credit to
Nero Yesterday morning the brief and pithy
Monifeur contained sentence Of perpetual Danish
Inent against nearly seventy members Of the late
Assembly, mostly ofthe Mountain party Another
decree exies, during the pleasure Of the President
the leading African generals several of the ablest
and most patriotic members of the Republican
party, and some whose names are connected with
the literary glory of the age; and this announce
mcnt is sold in the newspapers by their itincrant
vendors with the jubilant cry of ''Ihs ne.o coup
| d'5tat of LOUIS NapoIsonn'
You ask, can these things be? They are sober
facts. You add, can this system endure? The great
body OF the French nation testify their approval;
the rich, upper classes, and the business people, ar
IDENTIFY The church sings re Dsums to it. The
religious sentiment of the people. directed BY the
priests consecrates Louis Napoleon as the savior
OF the country. of morality, law, order. society,
and civilization. Do you doubt? Look at the lists
OF adhesons lately published, filling whole columns
OF the newspapers, including Legitimiss, Orlean-
lists. lawyers, judges, literary men; nay. even Re-
pub!icans Glance at the state of the stocks Since
the movement of December 2 they have gone up
from 81 to lO5, where they stand steadily. Many
hundreds Of thousands Of dollars Of United States
stocks have been sold by French propristors in the
last three weeks, in order to invest the funds in
railroads, buildings, and business here. The great
staples of silk and wool have advanced ten per
cent. The paralyzed factories have returned to
their wonted activity. Does not all FMS show con-
hdsnce, and Id not confidence a guarantee Of sta
bility?
And where are the friends Of liberty In the
grave-in dungeons-in exile-or what is perhaps
even worse, changed into Creeping sycophants of
power, or sick at heart in the silence of fear and
pcrchance Of despair. Providence may interfere to
change all this; but, taking calm view Of the
state OF things, can no elements Of speedy re-
action. The Republicans and Socialists Of all de-
grees admit that their cause is ruined and their
hopes blasted France seems frozen in for long
arctic winter of despotism.
Tho truth is, that the interests of progress have
been ruined by ulraism. pray you tell our ar
dent agitators at home that the selfshness of
mountebank leaders Of liberty, who have thrust
themselves at the head of great and glorious
movement, have ruined the cause they cham
ponized They split the great Republicans part into
fragments. and, thus divided it was conquered and
Tor the time annihilated. They were little men
and, like all little men, showed incapacity or
an unwillingness to combine, by adopting mode
rate measures; the scattered elements Of tho party
OF truth, of right, Of liberty. Louie Napoleon has
had tho sagaciy TO entrench himself upon broad
middle ground, and has achieved decisive and
perhaps lasting victory The man that was de-
spised and ridicued as an imbecile. has displayed
church, the property Of the country in his favor,
and with these at his back and ready TO sanction
massacre, petjury-any thing that is for their ad.
vantage-what may he not do,
This is the real state Of things Now, our coun-
trytnen must not let hope and faith and republican
sympathy mislead them. Providence may indeed
deliver this people, but rather fear that their de-
basement-moral, political, and sooial-has pro-
voked eternal justice 20 subject them 10 a yoke
which mny sit easily for a time. but which in the
end will prove a Of burning shame and fear
fol rctribution.
Situated as you are, you may cay il i, inn
possible for n nation highly civilized as
France, go intelligent, and 60 largely Gown with
the seeds Of liberty. 20 rest under this state Of
things This may be; but you must consider
the easy temper Of the people, their aptitude
to make themselves happy on ANAL means, and
n prevailing wish at the present time to enjoy
repOse Agitation IL not the desire Of France nor Of
Europe-sgitstors are not in vogue they derive,
al least, no respociability from their mere voca-
ton. II 10 an ndisputabe fact that the cosrse Of
gossuth in England and America is viewed With
very general ridicule here. All admit hi, won
derful powers an orator many allow, also. his
patriotism and bis philanthropy. But Tor the most
part, he is regarded either as a vain and os,enta.
tious phrase maker, or ss a pestilent dsturbor Of
the worlds peace. This il not my opinion I am
only stating the opinion Of the European world at
large. do not question his motives bot nothing
s more certain than that he has played with lie
dru Rollin, Msrzih, and others, into the hands of
despotisrn, and has contributed largely 10 precipi
tate and excuse the course Of Joui, Napoleon. At
all events, bis mission is over, 30 far az Europe i.
concerned. IL is quite clear, from late develop
ments, that not only 10 E-rope closed against him,
but, II he had a chance TO return TO Hungary. he
would find that nation by do means unanimous in
hs favor.
In estimating the state Of things in France, you
must consider that the whole force Of the Catholic
church, which is immense, having lately been
greatly increased, !, earnestly bent upon the sup.
port Of the present system. lite gorgeous ceremo.
nies, its mulutodinous clergy ts ubiquitous srts,
are all actively employed in its behalf Louis Ma.
poleon ia npoiheosizsd, and is actually compared
TO Jesus Christ vithou, seeming offence and GER
tainly without designed blasphemy. A picture in
the streets, sold for three sous aud largely pur.
chased, represents him in the centre with tho Holy
citpve tHp ~. IT.. - a..