The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-12-28
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F. r A N G E.
BY GEORGE SUMNER, OF BOSTON,.

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By GEORGE SUMNER, OF BOSTON
Ladies and Gentlemen IL propose to call |
your attention to France-a country which has
for years exercised a controlling influence in
the direction IF affairs in Europe-a country
distinguished for her poets and her scholars-a
country taking the lead in the arts and sciences
"a country in which every American must
'eel Interested for the aid afforded to us in our
struggle for Independence.
The nature of the subject does not admit US
TO roam over the fields of fancy, nor 10 i'm /
dulge in he charms of elegant writing, but
the time must be occupied upon facts-facts
which may clear up some difficulties in the So
luton OF the problem of French politics,
and remove those prejudices which. though
unfounded, exist in the minds of most Ameri-
cans.
To a distant observer the action of France
seems enigmatical Her people seem to be
| tickle and uncertain. But | think no change
has been made which has not resulted from
some good cause. France has beer constantly
! advancing. The accounts which we have Of
| French affairs are mostly from the English
press, and they are In most cases unreliable
English wrtera show France to US as they do
us TO France-in an unfavorable hight. Like a
a double filter they transmit the current both
ways-only they corrupt instead of purifying
IN on its passage. They reject the good and cir
culate the bad. While we are kept ignorant
OF the true political condition Of France, France
is kept from the knowledge Of our literature
and sclence-of our happy homes and our pro-
gressive growth
The first revolution of France has had one
side of its history presented, but like other
stories 1t has two sides. Arthur Young said
that 6 revolution is necessary" The gov
ernment was corrupt Even the judicial de-
partment were under the brides of those who
should receive their sentences at their hands
Two thirds of the land was held by the mobiles
and the clergy, and was exempt from taxation.
The whole burden Of the government ex-
penses fell upon the peasants who owned the
other third. Nor was this all: the peasan,
was Obliged to give one-tenth of his productions
to the clergy; and worse than this, the laws
were very restrictive and exacting in other res
, poets de could neither plant nor pluck-he
could neither grind his corn nor bake his bread
i Noble mills and ovens must have the prof
OF all. Then the tax on salt and the other thir
, ty-three taxes checked all growth and happ
, ness-The murder of peasant was an affai
hardly worth notice. Thus it will be seen tia
the people were uneasy and ready for a revolu
tlon during the reign Of Louis XIV deeds o
r the most disgraceful dehauchery were perpe
trated. The advent Of Louis XVI was halle,
with JOY. But his course was not a wise one
. lie was led from the course he desired to pur
/ sue by the persuasions Of the Queen, who her
self used up $2o 200, 900 per annum.
= Things had come to a crisis. The none
spent-credt gone, resort was had to an Assem-
d bly,. The Assembly agreed upon a Constitu
q ton securing representative government, an
limiting the power Of the King. To this, Loui
e AVl assented, but at the same time, despatch
d ed noies to the different monarchs, askiny thei
e aid IN preventing the contamination of thj
+ scheme.-To the people, and the various an
hassadors abroad, he wrote in favor Of III
u Constitution, but to the different powers h
d despatched secret circulars, requesting thei
: aud tor contrary purpose.
j. The crisis arrived, aud stReicn IF Terror
: commenced. (Our space does not permit us I
y give the details of this memorable revolution :
e We would recommend to all "Weber's outline
a OF universal History, which being transactio
k Of German, does not take the English vie
is of the question. Mr.. Summers lecture take
d the ground generally taken in this treaties'')
Napoleon comes into power. The people =
""s.ps seq Of three rr.:..:::sss,rQltra Roualist
: ConStttutional,sts, and Repu6iicans.' The bal
u ance OF power is in the hands of the middl
u party, that is, the Constutionalists. Napoleo
9 had sympahized with the people, but when
q came into power, his ambition led him ava
u from them. As there had been good caus
J; ior The founding of the Empire, so there wa
q for lis downfall.
The revolution of 1880 was also for a cause
e Charles X. had taken sides with the Ultra Roy
alists, and the people were anxious TO have NOR
!" OF Republican government 1t was with th
y hope that they accepted Louis PHILIPPE. II
u cpur'ed the favor of the people as long as h
: feared them, but being badly advised, he faile
e to secure their confidence. The Government
u at the time Of his ascension, was in a very ba
y state OF the 36 ,000, 900 of inhabitants, onf
2O0,O 900 were allowed to vote, and these wer
q not selected for their fitness 10 perform tina
e sacred trust In one of The best colleges, onl
the Janitor could vote. The offices were NOR
numerous than the voters, and thus everything
was made corrupt Instruction was neglected
y the poor not cared for, and savings banks dis
d countenanced, Louis PHILIPPE having deceive
them, they accepted Louis Napoleon
n The revolution of 1913 has been prodectiv
!, Of the most beneficial results. 1t has caused Il
c be built 5000 new school houses. 1t has led t
the abolition of slavery in all French territories
i 1t has given them cheap postage, 1t has save,
n them from financial difficulties, and lastly il ha
J, given them universal suffrage. This las. item
o is of great Importance, for though it MAJ
. amount to a mere farce in electng an Emr error
. it will teach them lessons Of self. govern aent
r by the annual exercise OF this privilege in tn,
{ various municipal regulations.
1t has also had a good effect in Germany
Holland, Austria and even Italy
, If it be asked "What do the French peopl,
want" it may be answered "They want goot
governmen.-they want to grow fat Thi.
latter they have done after every successive
revolution, looking now quite like men,
, France is following the great natural law o.
change. 1t consists of action and reaction =
, The oscillations have been very extensive ana
sweeping, but each successive one is less Sc
than its predecessor. A few more will probably
take place, but the political pendulum will event.
ually assume perpendicular.
The moral of this may be stated thus: We
should ever be changing, but should follow ma
ture in that change. The grass grows without
our seeing it. The water runs silently along till
it meets solid impedments when it rallies and
forms the cataract. Then lei us all follow ma
: ture's high law of change and progress.
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