The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-31
corrupt conduct of the King and bis Govern.

ment
II was not difficult TO see that an opposition,
springing from the classes which have infu-
ence over the people, forced upon them by ne
cessity, and carried on with resolution and en-
thusiasm, could not fail 10 succeed in producing
a change of ministry, or q collision. On the
other hand it was clear that the King, who
had become intensely self.willed, and confident
IN his immense power, would never yield to
any moyement-he, like most other men, fan
cyng revolutions proceeded from the lower
classes; and he knew that, seconded by the
middle classes, he was match for them;
while it was equally clear that the Ministers,
who In state affairs were now only his clerks
and who represented the claims of the money
ed aristocracy would hardly yield to an agita-
ton in which the people showed no tumultu-
GUS interest, They welded power so i'm
mense, and so intoxicating that no Govern
ment. however liberal, could feel its dangerous
destinations, without abusing it.
Reform baDquets were the order Of the day
And, quite naturally, the Departments having
testified their appreciation Of them, the Re-
formers in Paris under the very eye of the
Government resolved to give one on grand
scale. Here the authorities unwisely inter-
posed, and the walls of wrath were speedily
poured out by the indignant Reformers Re-
form was mpossble-revoution was ineyita-
BILE. And yet the almost unanimous voice Of
the nation was for peace. In every man
mouth was the observation" The old man
cannot live long; better wait reform of the
Chamber must then take place.
In short madam, as you well know, reyo-
luton was so little desired that it took eueru
one by surprise, The people were astounded
at their unexpected success. And we'll they
might be. But why they succeeded, will re
late hereafter.
The reformers determined to make a mani
festation against the Government They
knew, as every one knew, that the sympathie
of people of all ranks, even to the authorize
and officials, were with them. Clubs, secre
societies, there were but undecided, expectin,
nothing for their ultra views, and undeter
mined The people turned out in masses Il
express their sympathies for REFORM and i'm
press their wishes on the Government but it
members were obstinate, like their Chief, ant
confident in their strength
The manifestation did not pass of rapidly
1t continued to show itself firm, yet peaceful
until a discharge Of firearms, from near ar
obnoxious minister's house excited the people
to fury
One of the striking results Of the revolution
airy struggles of France, and the suffering con.
sequent thereupon has been feeling Of sym
pathy for the masses. This tendency to frater
nization showed itself in more remarkable col
ors than at any former period Of human his
tory. The old antagonism between men ant
classes was revived with much bitterness sub
sequently, enyenomed by the distresses and ne
cossties for existence But our place here is t,
notice the progress of human ideas and sent
ments, when they display themselves at theil
opportunity.
Thus the Indignation of the people at the
massacre at the Boulevard des Capucins was
participated in by the military, the National
Guards and the middle classes. Troops were
marched On various points to dispense the PEG
pie but the appearance of a small body o
| National Guards was sufficient excuse for tn
military to retire. No one wished TO act, ant
the majority did not act. There was tact
understanding to let matters take their course
! pha intelligent classes were weary of ln o.,
of Government
| What the French wanted was to be 10
alone. They had got an idea into their heads
that with fair constitutional Government
they would advance, like the English, fror
reform to reform. Thcy had already game
immensely, and were content to perfect thei
liberties by sure and steady steps. But th
King was not satisfied with being the popula
chief; he wanted to rule after the old fashion
Instead of being the instrument for the prac
teal Government of the country, according t,
the enlightened views of the time, the phan
tasms of ambition seized his mind, and, urgeC
by the misrepresentation of foreign and do
nestle absolutists and pressed by vague feal
of some eventual revolution, which in some in
definite time might drive his family from the
| throne, he threw himself headlong on the
ground before the mighty wheels of Progress
crushing himself and dynasty at once, while
fancying they would stop and respect him
Tho King had many years before, taken the
most eifectual measures for suppressing any
popular demonstrations Paris was covered
by military posts and barracks, protected
against sudden attack, and no connected as
easily to stop communication between various
sections Of the city. All these precautionary
measures were unavailing The King had for.
gotten that, while favoring his own limited
number of friends and partisans, the encroach-
ments of his power and of their ambition
were alarming and dsaffecting even the hun
dreds of thousands of officials and their nu-
merous connections He had vastly increased
the number of ofico.holdings dividing and
diminishing the salaries But this petty bri-
berry, and increase of power consequent upon
it, could not counterbalance the dangers men,
acing the institutions and interests Of the mid.
die classes. Hence, when fidelity TO the throne
was most required, there was none to be found.
Without conspiracy or plot, or devsing q
scheme, but by n tacit understanding, and a
shrug Of the shoulders the Government fell to
pieces, by the inaction, or wrong action, errors,
orders and counter orders, of those whose du-
ties were as clear as daylight
Could the result Of this conduct have been
fofeseen it cannot be doubted but, sooner than
jeopardizo their position, and the peace and
welfare Of their families ofice-holders would
have hcsitated TO have 80 acted
But Unexpectedly yet naturally, under such
peculiar circumstances, the armed force was
broken up in the confusion and enthusiasm of
so great an event, and the police force annihi-
lated wherever it offered resistance. Ia an in.
slant, Paris, with all its wealth, in the midst
Of its gaietics and crowded with foreigners,
found itself in the hands of the mere populace,
and the Government entirely at its discretion
ct 10 HihCu OIutT WIS Hbiutuincu, uuu u
great deal less crime committed, during the first
three months Of this popular Government,
than at any former period. OF enthusiasm
and noise there was over much but tho work-
ing classes resolutely punished any and every
act Of robbery or violence.
A revolution accomplished, the press free,
every man at liberty to trade for himself the
duties upon imports into the city done away
with, there was every prospect Of improvement
and prosperity. Industry began TO find its
level-newspapers increased-the markets
were more fully stocked and cheapened-
trades, hitherto limited by law, were open TO
all, and personal liberty was guaranteed. But
when the classes who had caused the revolu-
ton began TO reflect on the possible conse-
quenccs to themselves, they banded together,
10 divide and destroy the newborn Republic.
OyIppINrV NINA aRHvNT