The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-10-25
Sketch Of the Political History of Europe,
THE CAPITULATI0N OF PARIS, IN 1914,
THE PRESENT TIME.
CHAPTER XXI.
BY A FRIEND OF LIBERTY.


Louis Philippe, on his return from the re-
view of the troops, went directly to his private
apartment in order to consult with NJ. Theirs.
General Lalnoricere, M. de Remusat, and the
Duke OF Montpensier, relative to what was to
be done in order to prevent the contamination
OF the threatening revolution. The King thus
lost precious moments in celebrating, which
he ought to have employed in acting with that
irresistible vigor which alone could have saved
his throne.
But it tarried not long, ere prolonged reports
of firearms, penetrating into the very Cabinet
where this deliberation took place, convinced
the King of the increasing danger of his posi-
ton. just at that moment, M. de Girardin en-.
tered precipitately, and, stepping up to Louis
Philippe, told him, in few hurried words, that
the state of affairs was such as to make it NO.
cessary for him to abdicate the crown The
King listened to this advice with surprise, but
without indicating any angry feelings. He at
tempted, however, to dispute the necessity of
such a step, but NJ. de Girardin interrupted
him with the remark, that there was no time
wished to avoid the hazard of seeing even his
grandson excluded from the throne. Then NJ
Girardin handed him paper, which contained
the outlines of the abdication, and of the trans
fer of the Regency to the Duchess of Orleans
Louis Philippe remained, however, hesita-
ting; but the young Duke of Montpensier, prob
ably actuated by apprehension for the personal
safety of his father, urged him, with more pre-
cipitation and vehemence than what seemed
becoming son, to follow the advice of NJ
Girardin. Besides, the King, perceiving the
roars of the insurrectionary waves rapidly in
creasing, so as to make the words uttered in
his own apartment almost inaudible, excam-
ed: ~ abdicate in favor of my grandson, the
Count of Paris, who, hope, may be more hap
by than | have BEEN" But he did say nothing
with regard to the Regency-it devolving upon
the Duke Of Nemours, in virtue of a law adopt
ed by the Chambers, ;:s | have elsewhere men
| toned. This was, however, a iatarr--cclifr
stance, on account of the unpopularity of that
brave and high minded Prince and there is no
reason to suppose that, but for that parliament
airy act, the abdication of the King might have
accomplished the desired object.
| NJ. de Girardin and the son of Admiral Bau-
din FASTENED to announce to the people the alb
dcation of the King; but this information was
received with incredulity by the multitude as
sembled on ia Place de la Concorde."
Meanwhile, the arrival of Marshal Gerard in.
spired the King with new hope, because he
knew that the veteran warrior was both a warm
friend of himself and very popular with the Pa
risians. He said, therefore, to the Marshal /:
"Go and inform the people of my abdication."
Marshal Gerard FASTENED Immediately to
mount horse, and present himself before the
exasperated multitude, in order to accomplish
the desire of the King. But though he was
received with cries of Vioe le MarechaI &C.
rard," he did not succeed in making the desir-
ed impression upon the minds of the people,
Recognising an old Colonel of the Imperial ar.
my, by the name of Dumoulin, who appeared
to be one of the revolutionary leaders, he ex-
claimed "Here, my dear Dumoulin, have
the abdication of the King, in order to show it
to the people. Help me in persuadng them 10
rest satisfied with it."
Saying these words, the Marshal extended
piece of paper to Colonel Dumoulin. But La
grange, one of the most ardent Republicans,
snatched it from the hand of the Marshal, and
disappeared, without exhibiting it to the people.
Just as Marshal Gerard left the Tuieries,
Marshal Bugeaud entered it. The latter, on
learning the abdication of the King, proceeded
speedily to the apartment in which the distress
ed monarch, surrounded by most of the mem
bers of his family and other distinguished per-
sonages, was sitting, writing quite slowly his
formal abdication, as if expecting that some
favorable news should meanwhile arrive, ma
king that humiliating document unnecessary.
Bugeaua, entering the room almost forcibly,
and making himself way through the persons
who crowded it, stepped up to the King, hur-
riedly exclaiming-
as it true that your Majesty has been ad-
vised to abdicate in the midst of the contest?
Are these, who have given you this advice, ig
norent of the fact that they have oounselled
you to do what is not only ruinous, but also
dishonorable? To abdicate, after mature con-
sideration, and in the midst of profound tran
quillity, may sometimes be done with a good
result for the community, and as an evidence
of the wisdom of the prince; but to abdicate
in the face of a struggle, would always appear
as a wesknes-and, indeed, of that kind which
your enemies would interpret as cowardice-
and which, at this moment, would be altogether
useless, because the content has already begun,
and there is no means of making your abdica-
ton generally known to the immense crowd
that have raised the banners of instruction"
The King, rising from his chair, and pressing
with much emotion the hand of the Marshal,
said
"Well, do you then forbid me to sbdicate2"
Yes, sir" answered the heroic Marshal
with much energy. ~ dare to counsel you
not to permit yourself to be Influenced, at this
moment at least, by an advice which can save
nothing, but ruin everything"
The Kings countenance frightened at these
words, and he said, with tenderness, to Blu
geaud, ~ have been obliged to transfer the
command with which you were intrusted to
Gerard, as being more popular than you. Do
excuse mel"
May he," answered the Marshal, save you,
and l shall feel satisfied"
But the Duke of Montpensier, disappearing
OF the energetic course recommended by Bu- |
geaud, and DESTROYS to see further bloodshed
prevented, urged on his royal father to reas-
sumo his seat, and to finish his abdication. |
The manner in which the youthful Prince did
this, appears to have been so impetuous and so
little reverential, as to have provoked the dis
appreciation of the persons present at that
mournful occasion. The Queen, who alone ap-
pears to have remained calm and fearless sup
ported, on the contrary, the opinion expressed |
by Marshal Bugeaud; but, finding the King in
clined to finish his abdication, she retired to one
of the windows, from which she directed her in
dignant eyes, filled with tears, upon her royal
spouse.
Louis Philippe, having finished the writing
of his abdication, handed it to one of his Min
listers, and then rejoined the Queen, at the |
same time ordering his carriages to be made
ready for departure.
Marshal Bugeaud, before going away, at |
tempted yet once more, in a respectful way, to