The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-10-04
For the National Era
Sketch of the Political History of Europe,
THE CAPITULATION OF PARIS, IN 1914,
THE PRESENT TIME.
For the National Era
BY A FRIEND OF LIBERTY.

legitimate offspring of the criminal union which
the monarchy of 1880 had entered into with
the enemies of popular freedom. The fate
which overlook Louis Philippe was indeed bit
the natural consequence of his own inidelits
to the principles upon which his throne Was
based. 1t was called forth by his own selfish
ness, and want of genuine grandeur, and by the
arrogant conduct of NJ Guizot. 1t might have
easily been foreseen, had not the sagacity of the
King and his Minister, as we'll as the strength
OF the Government, been much overrated, while
the influence of the elements which constituted
the opposition was estimated far inferior to its
reality.
We have already alluded to the different par
ties into which the French nation was divided,
and to the causes which co-operated to the
downfall of the House of Orleans. Still, it might
be necessary to enter somewhat more in the
details, in order satisfactorily to explain this
event.
NJ. de Lamartine has made the absurd asser-
ton that the revolution of 1889 was, in regard
to its principles, revived in 1914 by the re-
turning MISUNDERSTANDING that this is evil
dent from the fact that Louis XVIII granted
the constitutional charter to France. But,
while it must be admitted that that prince was
not at heart an enemy to liberal ideas, still he,
did not maintain inviolably, as NJ. Larmartine
also alleges, his own charter, but on the con,
trary, influenced by wicked advisers, infringed
it most scandalously on several occasions, as J
have already proved. His brothers Charles
Ky transgressious, in this respect, were, how:
ever, much greater, and hence brought upon
him the just punishment of losing the throne. .
But it was supposed that the then Duke OF
in defence of the glorious principles proclaim
ed in 1889, was sincerely attached to the popu-
lar cause, and consequently averse to arbitrary
rule Hence, he became the successor of the
exiled Charles. At first, it appeared as though
it was his firm resolution to realize the hopes
which had been founded upon his elevation to
the throne. The revolutionary movements of
the abettors of anarchy or imprudent friends of
republican institutions, no less than the odious
attempts which on several occasions were di-
rected against the life of Louis Philippe, met
with general disapprobation and condemnation.
The rather undignifed manner in which he
courted the friendship of the English Govern
ment, and the patience with which he bore the
insults which, from that quarter as well as from
Individual Englishmen, were offered to France,
while highly displeasing to the French, were,
however, excused, because taken as proofs of
his pacific sentiments and his steady intention to
maintain peace. But when it was seen that he
did not hesitate to hazard war with England
for the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of his own family, and
that he was firmly bent upon purchasing the
friendship of the chief members of the Holy AL,
lance, by extending his power beyond the linn
its of the Constitution, and by opposing the just
then he lost the love and confidence of the ma
ton, and became generally looked upon as an
migrate and would-be despot.
Louis Philippe was undoubtedly man OF
many rare qualities and many virtues. He
had reflective and sagaciOus mind. He was
we'll acquainted with the political history OF
ancient and modern times, and with the inter
nal affairs of France. He was an acute diplo-
mat and brave soldier. His private life was
without reproach, being a most faithful and
kind husband, and a very affectionate father.
His manners were affable, but not so dignifed
as his elevated position might seem to have re.
quired. His chief faults appear to have been
insincerity and avarioe. Hence, his words were
not always to be relied upon; and want OF
generosity, a defect which, while liable to rem
der private persons despicable, will often con-
tribute more than even real vice to make prin-
ces odious to the people. The effect of this de-
feet was, however. in Louis Philippe's case,
sition of his Queen, who spent immense sums
in alternating the sufferings Of the poor.
Among the causes which brought about the
revolution of l848 was, undoubtedly, the limit.
alton of the elective franchise to the small mum.
Der of 100000 electors. The French Constitu.
ton, by making property, and especially great
amount of property, the necessary qualification
for exercising a right which ought to have
been the privilege of erery Frenchman of age
and sound intellect, opened the opportunity to
the Ministers, of easily exercising an undue in
fuence upon the elections, and consequently
getting majority of members elected, not rep
resenting the true sentiments of the nation.
1t was most fatal mistake of the King and
his Ministers to oppose the proposed extension
of the elective franchise, and thus render it
evident that they entertained apprehension of a
Chamber that might be formed independently
of the influence of the executive power. 1t was,
in fact, an indirect confession that the public
affairs were conducted otherwise than desired
by the majority of the nation.
Cabinet was the more dangerous, as they were
opposed by the far greater portion of the infu-
entail journals. Indeed, among these they were
scarcely supported by any one, except LIE Jour
nal des DebatS, which was the organ and able
champion of the Government. But LIE COnSti.
tutionnel and LIE Courier Francais, while friend
ly to the Orleans Dynasty, attacked the Cabinet
and the majority of the Chambers. LIE Steele,
conducted by NJ. Chambolle, fought with mode
ration, but with energy, in behalf of the Consti-
tuition, and, though not favorable to republican
institutions, infused, nevertheless, a republican
spirit in its readers. La Gazette de France, ed
tied by NJ. de Genoude, the friend of Lamen-
nais, of Chateaubriand, and of Villele, advocated
with admirable constancy, but with the blind
ness of fanaticism, the doctrine of diUine right,
and was consequently the deadly enemy to the
Orleans Dynasty. La Presse, lately founded, but
nevertheless of extensive circulation and great
influence, was edited by the gifted and daring
Emile Girardin, and graced by the pen of the
famous George Sand. This journal inflicted
upon the Government dangerous wounds, by the
means of poisoning sarcasms. LIE National
was the organ of republican principles, but did
not lose any opportunity of eulogizing the tai
ents, the views, and the patriotism, of NJ Theirs.
1t was edited by NJ. Marrast who, with bril-
liant imagination and sublime ideas, united all
the amiable qualities of a generous heart and,
lastly, " La Retorme," representing the opinions
of the most violent republicans headed by M.
Ledru Rollin, was edited by NJ Flacon, and con.
tributed much to prepare the minds of the in
dustrial classes for a change in the Government.
Still it did not urge the radical notions enter
tanned by the St. Simonists, the Fourierites, and
the Communists, who all advocated the destruc-
ton of the existing social state, in order to sub
ject it to publication and renovation, agreeably
TO their own particular views
Of all these Journals there were tins only