The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-06-08

radlcai 6oVlseG It's SEIZURE, and the CONSTITUTION
of dictature. What was the result? 1t wa
found impossible to recognise dictature, with
out overriding the Democratic principle or
which the revolution of February was found
ed. 1t is something to say that respect for tha
principle prevented the idea of dictaturt
from being executed. But the political question
was referred, in this dilemma, to the Natona
Assembly, where, like the ecclesiastical ques
ton, it was soon smothered and decenuy in
TERED. There it was understood that the poo
pie had not yet attained their majority, and
must therefore remain subjected to tutelage
for the time was not yet come to let them gov
ern themselves. Thenceforward, government
alism was maintained with increased energy
and the meager sop thrown to the people
whose political appetities were at starving
point was the qualification of Democratic given
to the new constitution. BY my faith, citizens
judging Of it as published on the fourth Of this
very month, it is fuller of lies than the Charter
of 1880. Yet this is the constitution under
which the French people, who are not parties
to it are to be governed. And it is to suppori
this endorsement of the peoples political serf.
dom that our votes are now demanded. Worse
than this: we are asked to vote for the man
who, after csjoling us in the Assembly, forced
US to defend our principles and our lives be-
hind the barricades of June, and who now is
sole Dictator of Paris and Of France by the
voice-not of the naton-but of the cannon"
awe won't have Csvaignac! We won'i
have him." shouted large number of the
company.
"Of that required no assurance" resumed
Baudoin. every true democratic and social.
ist republican must vote for Raspail, or not at
all. Unless we secure our candidate, the reyo.
luton is lostn
AS Baudoin resumed his seat, there was a
very general assent given to his last proposition
which was manifested by loud shouts of Well
good " and by a succession of "bravos." Al
the height of these, the artist Rouesillon made
his appearance at the door, accompanied by
Leonard Wray. There was almost immediate
silence.
"Permit me to introduce my friend, q brother
artist, and brother republican from the other
side of the Atlantic" said Roussillon, advanc-
ing towards Fourier, and introducing our hero
"Citi1en Leonard Wray, of Washington"
ave are delighted to welcome in our
midst" replied Fourier, placing Leonard be-
tween himself and Victor, :" q republican of the
right stamp"
al am deeply indebted to you, gentlemen, i
observed Leonard, addressing the company
generally, in very good French, =" for your kind
reception of a complete stranger, simply be.
cause he is an American, and, | need scarcely
add, republican. My visit to Europe is as an
artist; partly one CT pleasure, and partly that
may make acquaintance with some Of the
master pieces which grace the museums Of the
European capitals. But my introduction to
Monsieur Rousillon is, find, likely also to af
ford me an unexpected opportunity of making
acquaintance with some of the most distin-
guished men in France"
This brief speech, after which Leonard seat.
ed himself by Fourier, in the place assigned to
him, was received with every mark of appro-
baton.
Citizen Wray," observed Roussillon, zig
find, somewhat intimately acquainted with
Citizen Louis Napoleon Bonaparte .
This name was the signal for loud shout
of derision, which having subsidized, Roussillon
continued:
"And informs ne that he is a stanch 70
publican"
ooh, oh! Boulogne-Strasburg retorted
several of the company.
"a man may grow wise by experience,
brother citizens" said Roussillon
"AAons!" shouted Victor; another apollo
gist for this crack BRAIN
"Crack. brain, or not" retorted Roussillon
~ come to propose to you, very seriously, that
our party should -
"Ah, all Elect him President, perhaps"
exclaimed Fourier, derisively.
Precisely, Citizen Fourier; that is my prop.
osition," responded the artist.
For some minutes, tho uproar caused by this
announcement, made in all gravity by Roussil.
Ion, was so great that nothing could be distin-
guished amidst the confu,d clamor of so many
voices save, occasionally, an expression of scorn
or an epithet by no means complimentary to
the Prince Leonard looked on in mute as
enlistment for he was uninit'ated in the Sc.
crets Of the party in whose company he found
himself, and quite unprepared to find his friend
SO unpopular. Presently, however, the voice
of Rou,sillon Yves heard, rising above the tn.
multi
"I appeal to our brother, Citizen Wray. Let
US hear his opinions"
Probably in Difference to the stranger, the
tumult of voices was hushed, and Roussillon
opinion of the Princes republioanism.
al ought to give no opinion in this matter
save in courtesy to those who ask it of me, ,
said be, rising 81 knew Prince Louis Napo.
leon in the United States, and it was my priv
lege to render him some trifling service, which
led to my contracting an intimacy with him
which, with little interruption, has lasted until
now He always professed himself al admirei
of our institutions, and an advocate of univer
sal suffrage on the ground that the people are
the real source of authority ard power" Hero
be was interrupted by C few murmurs of ap
probation. AS far as had any opportunity
of learning his sentiments on political questions
they were of the most liberal kind; but wheth
er he would make wise ruler, it is not in the
power of man to answer. would rather moi
have given any opinion, gentlemen, for do moi
see what end is to be gained by it. hope you
will excuse q stranger for saying even Sc
muchD
at is true" observed Fourier, as Leonard
reseated himself; what have We to gain BY
learning that Citizen Louis Bonsparte processes
to be sincere republican Suppose we take
it for granted that all who are seeking power
at present, are sincere republicans too? That
is an implied condition, whatever may be the
fact But why does Citizen Roussillon propose
we should vote him into power?"
"For sound reasons Citizen Fourier" replied
Roussillon zone of the first of which is, that
the whole of our strength, combined, will not
bring in our man."
At least, let us show our strength by voting
for him." retorted Fourier.
"Or expose our weakness" retorted the
artist.
at is fortunate for Citizen Roussillon,D oh.
served Baudoin, that his fidelity to the social
and democratic republic has been proved, or
we might suspect him of desertipg our cause"
"No no shouted several of the company.
"Citisen Baudoin," replied Roussillon, turn
ing deadly pale, "when | stood between thee
and death, and we fought side by side in the
Clos St. Lazdre, thou didst not accuse me of
deserving the cause. Thou art an ingrate.n
Stay, stay" interposed Fourier; 1--WE know
thee for true brother, and thou need not take
further heed of Citizen Baudoin. We do not
suspect thy fidelity, but thy advice takes us
somewhat by surprise. Let Us hear thy rea-