Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-14
FOREIGN POLICY-sOCIAL INsTITU-
TIONS-THE NATIONAL GUARD.

| FOREIGN POLICY-SOCIAL INSTITU-
! TIONs-THE NATIONAL GUARD.
| Among the notifications introduced by
Louis Napoleon into the social institutions OF
France, were those relating to the magistra-
cy, the penal Legislation, education, the elec-
tons of mayor, and the press. The magis-
tracy, composed Of members elected for life,
reckoned at that time many old men unfit for
service, who were obliged, on that account, to
submit to the new decree, to resign, and re-
ceive their halfpay. This compulsory retire
ment made room for new corners, and the ranks
of the magistracy were thus opened for the
reception of the friends of the government.
The danger of a dreaded protestation on the
part Of that body was then ayerted. A most
essential project, the effect of which was to turn
out from France all public disturbers such
was the name given by Louis Napoleon to his
opponents, was Immediately set on foot. 1t
consisted in the selection Of two eligible places
for the confinement Of convicts and political
agitators. The choice of the administration
fell upon Algeria and Guyana as the most
suitable TO their plan. A certain portion
of land was appropriated in these two conn
tries for the establishment of penitentiary col
onies, in which men of infamous character, on
the one hand, and men whose only crime was
hostility to the administration, on the other,
were to be transported.
The political offenders were divided into
three classes, for each of which special pun
ishment had been decreed. The first included
all men suspected of having participated in the
late insurrection-a crime deemed sufficient, in
the idea of the government, to deserve trans
portation to the deadly soil of Guyana. Among
them stood several representatives ofthe people,
such as Mac. Dufraisse, Greppo, Mot, and
Richardet. The second class comprehended
the acknowledged leaders of socialism, whose
presence upon the territory of France was said
to foment civil war; They were expelled from
the territory Of the republic, and threatened to
be exiled to Algeria or Guyana, should they at
tempt to come back The most conspicuous
names in this list were those of Victor Hugo,
Oh. Lagrange, Nadaud, Charassin, De Flotte,
Raspail, Charras, &c. The third class was
composed of men who had been noticed for
their violent hostility to the government, for
which offence they were temporarily expelled
from France. Prominent among them were
M. M. Duvergier de Hauranne, Theirs, Cham
bolle, Ouinet, Emile de Girardin. the editor Of
the Journal La Pesse, General Lamoriciere,
Changarnier, &c.
The enemies of the new system having been
thus disposed of, and the supporters and pro.
pagators of socialist and revolutionary ideas
being out Of France, it was deemed indispen-
sable to check and stiffle in its bud the leaven
of independence, which had been set at work
during the last four years. To leave it any
chance Of looming up again in the social or
political field, was imprudent in the extreme
and dangerous to the peace of the State; or, in
other words, to the safety Of the government.
The new cabinet and the powers created by the
Constitution, all combining to strengthen the
President, did not seem sufficient bulwark
against the attempt of the Democratic French
spirit Louis Napoleon very justly remarked
that people who make revolution, and up
set dynasty, because they were prevented
from participating at public dinner, could
very we'll upset him, for having done away
with all their liberties. w
Besides, il must be observed that the French
had always awaited themselves of their social
liberties to interfere with the policy of the
government, and that the course Of their So
cial relations always controlled that of their
politics. To deprive society Of the means Of
endangering the new fabric, without being too
exacting or intrusive in private transactions,
was one of the most anxious cares of the new
power. 1t was, indeed, the most difficult task,
and, adelicate attempt comparedwith which the
bold act of the coup d'etat and the promulga-
ton of the Constitution we're but trifes How
could the thing be done aud realized without
exciting the susceptible temper Of the French
Here we can but admire the subtle policy OF
the prime president and his advisers. People
know that one of the fundamental institutions
Of France, and, perhaps, the most formidable,
is that of the national guard. That body,
somewhat similar TO our militia, includes all
French citizens from tho age of twenty-five to
sixty. However, the service, instead of being
left free, is obligatory on certain stated days;
and the officers, instead Of being selected by
the composites to which they belong, are chosen
by the government, which fll up their ranks
with men devoted to their views. Now, let us
suppose general influence, acting directly
upon that body, suppose that influence, SO con-
centrated as not to exempt single opinion
| from investigation, and Immediately the whole
% the French society, represented by that in.
st;tu,,,,u, will be under the efficient sway
| Of that ;niIcance. That iswhat Louis Napo.
leon, who, by his numerous travels and his
connection with the people, had learned many
useful lessons of practical policy, realized With
great skill. No sooner was he at the helm o.
the State, than he dissolved the National
Guard, instituted by the republic, and recon,
stituted il again. But as each company is, in
/ <xft ,ol