The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-05

On Saturday last lather ny Of French
fugees took place sonew ere is ely to
go hsopgh the form Of eating o dinner, drink
ing chan agne, and protesting against the
government Of their country. No withssanding
the ferocious inscription on the banquet hall:
" tn peur tuer Get homme auec impunite, ~ aud
the general bloodthirs.iness of the speeches,
the guests a. pear to have bee, on all subjects
save the Emperor, an amiable set of gentlemen
and perfectly harmless members Of society.
But It was wonderful to notice how fierce and
indy ing was their hatred Of "'he man Of the
second Decem En-" HIM they execrated with
truly French volubility, and each and all
prayed for tie time when they might return to
France, overthrow and assa sinate the usurper,
and set up . republican government In his
stead.
Now, let US try and reason awhile on this
matter. Since Charles x. fell victim to Bour-
bon stupidity, France has been almost at any
time at the service of the republicans. They
might have had republic in 1880: constantly
during Louis Philippe's reign, opportunities
were offered, Of which an able band Of republi-
cans might have availed themselves, as is EVIL
dent from the ease with which he was at last
upset: in lS48, they had republic even in
1851 they might have retained it had they
known how. How comes it, if the non exist
ence Of republic in France is due to Napo-
leoh's villany-a s they say-that it was not
IN Tail Aal vbop ha IN En- nd
America? How did it fail in 1880? How did
it never rear its head in . menacing way when
Louis Philippe's government was so weak that
it seemed charity to kick it down? How,
finally, when it was established, and had army
and money and every thing else under its con-
troll, did it break down of its own accord in
three years and half These are questions
which the French republicans should answer
fully and satisfactorily if they expect us to
sympathise with them.
The tendency is very great among calm sober
minded men like the Americans to impute the
failure Of republican Efforts in France to the
want of practical ability in the republican lead
ers. In this country we are apt to test men
and things by net results which may be very
wrong, but is q very natural way Of judging.
We believe here that if the republicans Of
France, in 1880 or 1848, had been men of prac-
teal common sense, looking always to the main
char ce, and abandoning theory wherever it
came into collision with safety, the French re-
public would have been fourishing still: and If
it is not, we think the blame belongs to those
who could not sustain it, not to those who,
when it crumbled to pieces, set up strong
and good government on its ruins. In like
manner, strong presumption exists that if the
gentlemen who met in Leonard street to drink
death to the usurper had been men Of ability
and common sense, they would now have been
at the head Of important departments in the
government of France, instead Of exiles in Ame.
RIGA. Thir, however, is of no consequence.
The only question Of any practical moment to
the world and to the French refugees is this
Are denunciations of Napoleon and calls for
his overthrow the way to advance the cause OF
democratic liberty in France!
The society called /" La yMont0gne," in com
pany with other revolutionary committees,
thinks they ore; we think not, and for very
simple reason: The tendency OF the war in
Europe is as clear asnoonday. Sooner or later
it must become question of principle, in which
Napoleon must repre- sent democracy. Brave
and skilful as the allies may be, their soldiers
are only men: and when Germany and Russia
pour half or three quarters Of million Of we'll
disciplined troops upon the Rhine, Napoleon,
whether supported by England or not must
give way unless he has something better to
fall back upon than French hostility to Russia
That something can be nothing else than the
revolutionary principle. Napoleon, without
the democracy Of Europe, has not six mouths
to reign: Napoleon, leading the democrats Of
France, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Prussia and
Poland, 10 likely to hold all the despots Of the
continent in check.
But these French exiles will have nothing to
say to him. They call him usurper, and de-
mand bis head. Did they ever ask themselves
what they could do with him? We speak not
Of individuals, for the tide would leave them
behind. But, in the event of Napoleon's over
throw, are the republican masses SO blind as not
to see that they would be far more surely
crushed by Russian army or Bourbon King
than democratic Emperor In June next the
chances are that deadly conflict will be waged
on the Rhine Where will the republicans be
them Opposed to Napoleon, in order to be
tranpled out by the victorious Austrians and
Russianss or on his side, saving France, and
aiding him to establish free, liberal and strong
government Their own fate depends on their
choice.
Napoleon's course is clear and plain. From
whatever cause the hostility existing between
him and the democrats has sprung, it is bis duty
as well as theirs, to use all practical means to
bring it to an end. Safety for him means demo-
cracy; the throne is Dc ably. On him devolves the
duty Of convincing these fractions republicans
who call him murderer and 40 forth that the