Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-12

EPAT-hAHcDfAth AMI
One Of the boldest and most striking features
of the new government is to be found not so
much in the facts which il created as in the
facts it destroyed. The history Of modern Eu-
rope teaches us, that the effect Of regular insti
buttons is alwaysto grant more rights to majori-
ties and less to minorities, as they progress; to
give more political influence TO the people, 70
take away privileges from the favored few, and,
finally, gradually to elevate the masses in edu-.
cation and morals, and the knowledge Of their
duties and rights. Such have been, for over
forty years, the fruits Of the various govern
ments which have swayed France. The people
were SO well aware Of this fact; they SO int,
mately possessed the consciousness Of this law
Of progress, that they made two revolutions
because two Of the Kings Of France had at
tempted to check it: The first, under Charles a,
whose ordinance, called ordinance OF July,
1880, says in article LIST, The freedom OF the
daily press is suspended, and no paper can pc
published without being authorized by US" and
also for saying We dissolve the Chamber q
Deputies.n The second, under Louis Philippe,
for having imneded the freedom Of reunion by
preventing the celebration of a banquet ~
the twelfth ward Of Paris. Under these
monarchs, the political rights Of the French
were solemnly acknowledged by the opera
ton Of the Chamber of Deputies, branch
Of the legislature where the interests
Of the nation had an open issue. This right
had been extended after the fall of Charles the
*. by <. sdimiputiion of the tax emitting the
citizen to vote. This tax, which was one hun
dred dollars, under that monarch, was reduced
TO forty. under Louis Philippe. In the last
wear Of his reign, the weight of public opinion
was in favor Of lessening that amount, and the
words parliamentary and electoral reform were
in seyerybody's mouth. M. Guizot, then at the
head Of the cabinet, inwardly acknowledged it
as necessity Of the times. His stiffness Ct
temper alone was the cause Of its postpone
ment. This proud statesman did not want to
appear as il he was Welding to the cries and
abuses Of the opposition. The genius Of that
man. nerhaps the most remarkable Of the age,
acouiesced in the necessity Of reforms. In his
speech at Lisieux, he expressed his views on
the subject in the following words: Conser-
vative policy" said he, g desires and accepts
all political progress, and does not rebuke any
of them. We will examine and discuss them
all, with sincere desire CT setting them into
practice. All we want (and we are compelled
by duty to do So is, that the required progress
be true, serious, and in keeping with the essen
tial principles and general wants Of our coun-
try Such words were evidently inspired by
| wise policy. But his pride led him to a
fatal obstinacy. He did not want it olbe said
Of him that ne had been curped py tne opposl,
tonic follow what, in his own heart ne oeemea
it opportune to grant. bis haugnuness q 'em,
per, more than anything else, was me cause 81
the ruin OF his system, which earned Win =: ~
that OF the throne OF LOUIS rnihppe:
! The prevailing opinion on the sup,ecs Oh ~
forms in ls4S, was not simply connneu y Vne
branch OF the puDnc service, Du' eA'enuo1 :
'nsn. A''' - f.;.,;on POST
the brst 70 demand a new oigan'1a.'on' 80 90
ONCE reforms, reuuc'io u u ien'S, 'Ei'0
essening Oh 'ne YAK On s.'' anu 1s.o' :l !,
navy, were some Of 'ne mum P0'n'S upon "n'' :,
pubic opinion was laying giea' s''ess. a.
these reforms, packed Is sne' ms'e " .ne
insurrectlon Of laierm On .ae tN'A = Jan
uary, ana py the ne" YonS'isuuon s'an'eu "
the King OF naples on .ne 1..p' "ou'U nAy
been gradually aonereu 70 W 'ne sosesnmen''
had not their soiu'lon Deen nuir'eu ~ " o.
ordinance Oh M oaDrisi' De'e'se,' !, s.e p','e''
OF ponce again nsss inc euo !. p1D"s Dan
quets, an ORDINANCES wn,on ploravo 20 e,s.5
body knows 'ne rsv0'u''On - e' '0'0'
1t is, then, to be observed, that the govern
ment of the coup d'etdt did not only upset the
| French Republic, with her virtues and errors,
but destroyed, besides the Liberties slowly and
gradually accumulated Dy 'ne iaDor o. .nree
reigns and two revolutions. ne PROOF o. y u
to be found in the ConsI'tu'ion o. me i4.n o.
IN "a