The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-25
THE LECTURE SEASON.
Hon. George sumner on France

evening in Metropolitan Hall, bsQaon. George Sum
ner. subject" France" He said he proposed to
sneak of France, country which had for years eX-
ercsed the greatest influence in Europe, which had
given TO the world poets and philosophers, and
country which should ever be regarded with graft
tude for the helping hand she had lent to this coun
try in her hour of need and danger, France might
appsar an enigma. Once she stands as the cham
plon of democracy, and the next moment she deigns
70 own a sceptre and recognize the imperial robe
He believed, however that France had made no
change without just cause. The expensive expert
ment Of ls4S had procured for her large advantages
oheaply bought. One great difficulty to contend
with was the prejudice which was created against
France by her first revouton--a prejudice derived
iom the misiuterpretation and misrepresentation oil
Burke and other English writers. The writers for
the English press have treated France on one
side as Improperly they have done the Unlteu
States on the other. These English Journals have
served a double acting filter through which tAe
news passed from this country 20 France, ana lFom
france to the United States bat this her instead
OF purifying corrupted. Among the mass OF VII
nesses and writers on the French revolution, was the
celebrated Arthur Young VINO sag, an sna ~. see
OF revolution is necessary for the benefit OF the peo
per He said " that the administration Of Justice
was partial veual and infamous Two-thirds OF the
land was held by the clergy and nobility, who were
exempt from taxes, while the b0urgeoisle was sub
jected every sort OF oppression. The peasant could
not move without meeting tax he was obliged
even 10 carry his bread to the immortal ovens the
tax on salt was so Ubiquitous that peasant could
not carry bucket of salt water to his cottage without
exposing himself to punishment But there was no end
TO the brutal and ignominious treatment to which
they were subjected. The murder OF peasant was
a very small matter. The humiliation of the peasant
was Shared also by the lower order of the clergy and
by the bonrgeoss, or inhabitants OF the towns The
advent of Louis XVI. was hailed by all classes with
rejoicing. Burke brilliant and feeble mourns over
the changes in France declaring that the chivary Of
France has departed but well was it for France
that economists could be found to relieve her from
embarrassment. Louis XVI. signed the constitution
prepared by Tugot, but he appealed to foreign
powers to interfere with arms in the affairs OF France
The Queen and court were also resolved to prevent
the establishment Of a constitutional government.
The Indignation OF the people on discovering the
treason OF Louis XVI. was intense. The forces
of the allied sovereigns were soon after Assem-.
bled and put under the command of the Duke
Of Brunswick, and here begin the dficulties-here
begin the atrocities OF the French revolution.
The proclamation of the Duke of Brunswick filled
the country with rage and horror. And as res
ponse to the menaces he held out in case the royal
family should be molested, the Parisans attacked
the Tuileries. The patriot for his country the
tate OF Poland, and the peasant saw the chain and
tue whip in case the army Of the royal allies should
subdue them. Atsuch a time the advice of moderate
men is little heard. Then Danton came into power,
and then commenced the massacres Of September.
The enemy was repealed, and feudal privileges We're
abolished. The reign of terror continued for twenty
two months during which time the king, queen, and
eighteen thousand persons were executed; bnt its in
stigators, also, were among its victims. But if the
imperial troops had succeeded, how many thousands
would have suffered? Let the fate of Poland declare
Within eighteen months after, Warsaw was taken
and sacked, and thirty thousand troops and citi-
zens put to the sword. After the reign of ter
ror. France might have formed good con-
Stituticn, but for the coalitions formed against
her by England. General Napier said in his his
tory OF the Peninsular War that the wars of France
were absolutely necessary for her security Gigantic
Eron IN hic Hinf
Napoleon, though he sacrificed political liberty yet
cherished political equality. But when it was seen
thai his wars were wars OF ambition and not Of self
defence public opinion deserted him. Even Fouche
and Taleyrand, whom he used as his ministers of
oppression and deceit, turned against him. Good
cause existed in the exigency of circumstances for
the empire-good cause existed for its overthrow.
Napoleon, musing at st. Helena, said Zone thing
feel convinced of in surveying my past life, is the
powerlessneSs of force" The best minds of France
Guizot and others-lent all their power to stay the
torrent Of royalist reaction At length again came
the revolution of 1880, and Charles x, king by Di-
vine right, was hurled from his throne; and here,
when the revolution was successful, no blood was split
Louis Philippe courted Lafayette and the republi-
time ne wrote to the Emperor of Russia to say that
he accepted the throne merely for the purpose Of
curling the people. Under Louis Philippe, France
presented the spectacle Of joint stock Company
close corporation, specializing on the public exac-
tions. The Guizot Ministry determined, by every
means, to keep the people in ignorance; and when
some members of the Polytechnic school, fearing the
consequences Of the popular ignorance, formed an
association and commenced delivering lectures in
Paris, on geology and scientific subjects, the Min
istry put them down. What wonder that, truth
being sienced the people turned to the secret socie
ties, where the extravaganza of ignorance often
imbibed The people, not having the privilege OF
going 10 the ballot box erected barricades, and the
government Of Louis Philippe fell The lecturer bore
evidence from personal knowledge, OF the moderation
practised by the successful insurgents. During the
three months in which Paris given up to anar-
chy, persons and property were respected, and the
police records tor that period show a dini-
mutton OF crime. The provisional government
made some errors particularly the measure they
adopted OF placing an increase on the land tax
Of forty per cent. Louis Napoeons great cause
of success has been his promise TO relieve the land from
the unjust tax imposed upon it, The attacks of the
Orleanist press were directed against the members
OF the provisional government; but their special VIC
tim was Ledru Rollin, and the calumnies were so
well directed against him that many believed them.
He certainly not free from faults, but he is
proof that those who are the best at pulling down
are not good at reconstructing The royalist fac
ton commenced their reaction by their success at
the elections of 1s49. Louis Napoleon allowed them
10 continue their work, until despised and insulted
he thrust them forth. II it be asked what the
luton of ls4S secured for France, he would answer,
il had procured her three thousand schools in her
villages, cheap postage, universal suffrage. 1t is not
true that other nations have suffered by the revolu
ton Of ls48. In Germany its consequences were
beneficial. Holland has gained and retained new
constitution and has kept the liberal party in power
Even Austria has gained by 184S; and last Of all,
poor, suffering Italy has had occasion to free her.
self from the reproach Of cowardice. Brave men,
who on Rome's bastion fell beside your guns there
is victory in dying well for freedom, and We have
not died in vain. Every candid mind will admit
that no government ever fell in France which did
not deserve to fall. Each movement has shown less
and less violence. A few more oscillations will per-
haps take place, but each one brings it nearer its
true perpendicular-the republic.
Peoples Lectures.
Ggy THEODORE PARKER on THE ASGLo-sAxoNs.
On Tuesday evening Rev. Theodore Parker deli
vered lecture, before a crowded audience, at the
Tabernacle, on the Anglo-Saxons-the origin,
character and influence" He said-Mankind is one.
There is one genus man one variety man-all the