The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-07-12


to the 8th of August, in the same year, when a
complete change of Ministers followed. by the
resignation of Martignac and his colleagues,
who we're replaced by Prince Polignac, Bour-
| mont, and others of the same stamp all be-
longing to the Reactionists.
The French looked upon this change as a
new declaration of war against their liberties.
1t was not as has well been said, "the consti-
tutional King of France" but the chief of the
emigrants in Coblenz" who could surround
himself with such counsellors.
At the meeting of the Chambers, on March
| ID, 1880, Charles x in his speech from the
throne, complained much of the prevailing
| spirit of discomfort among certain factions,
whose blameable designs intended TO subvert
the authority of the Crown, and thus destroy
the surest guaranty for the lasting happiness
/ of the nation, and exhorted the Chambers to
assist him in the measures be was resolved to
adopt, in order to give security to the throne,
and thus in the most efficacious way promote
the welfare of the country.
| But il was soon observed that disposition
contrary to what was desired prevailed in the
| Chamber of Deputies. Hence, the King first
prorngued both Chambers to the LIST OF Septem.
her; aud then, on the 10th of May, dissolved
| the Chamber of Deputies, ordered elections of
members for a new one, and convoked both the
Chambers to meet on the Sd of August.
In public proclamation, the King sought
To excuse the dissolution Of the Chamber OF
Deputies, pretendi' that its members, by op-
posing the u.s. fnl plans he by the instrument
atty of his Ministers had proposed for the
general benefit, and by misrepresentation
had wounded him father of his people, and
blended him as King He promised the pres.
ervation OF the Charter, but desired, in view to
he able to do so, that the prerogatives of the
| Crown should be respected.
| But the French were not again to be deceiv-
| ed by such shallow articles. They were per-
fectly aware that the King was IN the wrong
and the press was not wanting in its duty to
| animate the electors nobly to perform their
obligations to the country, and return such
members as were willing to oppose the treach-
erous designs of the Ministers against the hb-
| critics of the people. The whole of France was
| in the greatest effervesceDce, and 1t was not
difficult for any one, who was not struck with
| mental blindness, to perceive that something
extraordinary was to be expected, if the King
J and his Cabinet did not stop the course they
| we're heedessly pursuing
The Liberals carried the victory at the cleo
hons But the stubborn King and his mad
rounsellors took now the steps which brought
Charles himself to a precipitate flight, and the
PoIignac Ministry. by the bye, to the fortress OF
Ham, MS prisoners OF state.
On the morning of the 26th of July, the six
faral ordinances were promulgated, which bore
III date of the previous day, and by which the
liberty of the press annihiated the newly.
made elections declared void, new ones order
ed TO be made, and the meeting of both the
Chambers postponed to the 26th September
when they were ordered to meet.
This extraordinary proceeding was sought to
l. al - Il Il, IL 81
the Chart r. but a more frivolous pretence
for violating the constitutional rights OF the ma.
ZION. No wonder, therefore, that the patience
IF the French was at end.
On the very morning that the above ordi-
nance had been promul gated, all the journalists
OF the Liberal press assembled in the office of
the National" the principal contributors OF
which were, NJ. Theirs and NJ Armand Car
rer, who had for a long time fearlessly op-
posed the entertainments on the liberty of the
nation by the Poligrac Ministry.
A collective protest OF all these journalists
against the measures of the Government was
drawn up and siyued-a courageous act, be-
cause those who signed that document ran the
risk of losing their heads.
Upon this protest of these intrepid leaders Of
the Liberal press being generally known through
out the city, the Parisians hastened to take up
arms in its support, and 10 the vindication OF
the rights of the whole French people.
II was the unhappy fate of that renowned
warriur--the Marshal Marmont, Duke of Ragu
sa-who in a fatal moment, by the deceitful
tongue of Talleyrand. had become a traitor to
Napoleon, now to defend the throne of the
Bourbons against the just wrath of an indignant
people Bur, ably as the veteran General con-
Quoted the struggle, he was deemed TO see the
lilies fade in the sight of the tri-cnored banners
f,rmerly so dear to himself. Nothing could
withstand the brave men and the generou.
youth, who, with their blood, inscribed their
names on the pages of history, and won freedom
to France.
The older branch of the Bourbon family had
thus, for the third time, to seek for a home
among their foreign friends. Lafayette was
once more placed at the head of the National
Guards OF France.
There was party that wished to give France
a republican form of Government; but the con-
trary opinion prevailed, and Louis Philippe
Prince OF Orleans, mounted the throne, il no,
by the declared will of the nation, still, as it
appeared, with it, tacit appreciation. He prom
led that - the Charter should become O reality
Happy for him, had he kept his promise. Bur
the alurements of illegal power were too strong
to be withstood, even by that sagacious man.
subsequent events have proved.
Alliance to punish the people who should dar'
to revolt against their so-called legitimate prn
ces. But the application of this principle was
considered too hazardous relative 10 the French
lnnumera0le defeats, overturned thrones, ex
hausted treasures, and depopulated countries
had been the consequences of the wars OF the
European princes against republican and impe.
rial France. The fresh memory OF these event
msde the leading members of the Holy ALI
ance shrink from a struggle with so warlikt
and mighty nation. Besides, the garb of mon
archy, which France continued to wear, CAV.
them fair preteuce, with better grace, to con
ccal the anger and tear they felt on seeing Lib
erty raising its head again.
At the meeting Of the crafty Talleyrand, who
was sent as Am hassador to London with We
lington, it was decided that it would be fur easi
er by art than by force to kill the new borr
Hercules in his cradle.
This option gained the appreciation Of th
iudicious Metternich and of the King Of Prus
STA. The diplomatsts hoped, by iutrigues, t.
I carry the stronghold, which the generals des
paired TO take by force.
/ But the Emperor Nicholas vas with mucl
difficulty prevailed upon to let his mighty swor
rest in the scabbard. Consequently, Charlie
/ Y. who had expected to see the Holy Alanc.
! rise in vindication Of his degraded royalty, wa
left to shift for himself, and to muse upon tn
faithlessness If his imperial and royal brethren
Louis Philippe was, by all the Europea
States, ack nowledged as King OF France. thong
the manner in which the Gear stopped to TN
! step very little Hattering to the new King
But while the monarchical and aristocratics
parties with difficulty concealed their mort6cr
ton. the Liberals throughout Europe wei
buoyant with new hopes. Soon. the revolution
in Belgium, in Poland, and the popular NOV
ments in Germany, inspired fresh terror in IL