The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-12-13

For the National Era
Sketch of the Political History of urope
THE CAPITULATION OF PARIS, IN 1914,
THE ESENT TINE.
BY 4 FRIEND OF LIBERTY.
CHAPTER XIV.

The hopes which the French revolution OF
lS48 had kindled in the breasts of tue true
friends of republican institutions wee soon
annihilated. Many of those who hid been
foremost in condemning Louis Philippe for
appropriating to himself greater poFer than
what belonged to him in virtue of tht' Consti
tuition, did soon unite, in order to maj itain in
their own hands the usurped authority If which
they had come in possession on the Overthrow
of the royal throne. The most violepS profess
sionol republicans among the Partisan popula.
ton, having tasted the sweetness of Unlimited
power, began to oppose the convocatied Of the
National Assembly, and to show evident signs
of their desire of investing themselves. with
both the legislative and administrative power.
Some of the members of the Provisorary Gov
eminent belonged to, or at least favored, this
party, which is known generally under the name
of Red Republicans.
But NJ. Lamartine and some other true
friends of the Republic and of France opposed
successfully this wicked scheme, originating
with men whose violent passions OF poverty
made them forget their duty towards their ma
tive country and humanity at large.
NJ. Lamartine caused General Cavaignac,
who had been appointed Governor of the Alge-
rian possessions of France, to como, to Paris,
in order to enter the Cabinet as Minister of
War. M. Lamartine was led to this step, from
his knowledge of this Generals firm character,
and warm attachment to republican institu.
tons.
Massrs. GARNER Pages and d'A's outt had
the merit of saving France from the bank
ruptcy with which she was threaten d, in con-
sequence of the disorderly state of h.r finances.
The most of the members of the. Provision
airy Government showed much mod ration and
forbearance towards the friends O.. the mon
archy and of the two branches of tie Bourbon
family but M. Ledru Rollin issuei procla-
nation, in which he maintained the opinion,
that none except professional Republicans
should be allowed to hold Office, This was, in
fact, an usurpation of the sovereignty Of the
people because, ere the National Assembly
had met, and decided what form of government
France was henceforth to adopt, neither the
Professionally Government nor any one of its
members had the least right to act as NJ. Ledru
Rollin did.
The attempt which Blanqui and his partisans
made, on the 18th of March, to deprive M. La
MARITIME of his place in the Professionally Gov
eminent, was successfully frustrated by union
between Raspail, Barbes, CADET, cad Sobrier,
in his support. Somewhat later, N. Lamar
tine had an interview with Blan' Jul, a. the
house of the former. At the entrat:ce of Blan-
qui, at an early hour in the morp-ng, Lamar
tine, with his breast uncovered, step Jed towards
him, exclaiming-" Do you comes to assassi-
nate me? You have indeed sell xcted q fair
opportunity of doing so, because lou find me
without any sort of arms or means If defence"
After having said these words, be requested
Blanqui to sit down, and convers.d with him
for a couple of hours, endeavoring o direct his
energies in pursuit of objects which might be
of service to France. But this attempt, as
well as those which he made in order to induce
Barbes and the other leaders of the repol,ltion-
arg clubs to moderate their opinions, and to
pursue a course which might promote the best
interests of France, proved all in vain.
Many of the foreign residents, sad especial.
ly the Poles, did all in their power to involve
France in war with all Europe. But M. La.
MARITIME, while resolved to aid the Italians in
case they should appeal to Frame for assist.
ance against Austria, wished to avid any hos.