The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-09-13

called, the DyIIdStic OppOsitiOn-because,
though opposing the policy Of the existing Cab
met, they we're nevertheless friends of the
House of Orleans. They advocated the neces-
sary reforms, and insisted upon the obligation
of the Government to listen to the Just claims
of the people, and to realize the hopes that
were created by the revolution of $780, and
thus confirm the stability of the new dynasty.
This party was headed BY Theirs and Odillon
Barrot, and was composed of the only men fit
to maintain the monarchy and at the same
time satisfy the reasonable demands Of the ma
ton.
:. The LegitimiSts whose most dististn.
guished leader was NJ. Berger, the greatest
orator of the present time. This party viewed
Louis Philippe az an usurper, and deemed 1t
dlshonorable to seek for, or even to accept, any
favors Of him, OH account of his alleged viola
ton of his duty against his lawful sovereign
hoping that his death would afford the iegiti-
mate heir of Charles y the opportunity to
cend the throne. The LegitimiStS consisted
chiefly of the old nobility but they were al
most powerless, the masses having no sympa-
thy with them.
&. The Old Republican party. consisting
principally of journalists, young iHierate'frs,
lawyers, officers, and, as an English review re-
marked, Of the grandsons of the JacObius.
This party was not very numerous, but was
nevertheless very formidable, for the intelli-
gence, activity, ZEAL and discipline, of its mem
beers. But it had its chief strength from the
Bonapartists, who then were gathered under
the Republican colors, and enjoyed much SYM
pathy among the country people and the army.
The most eminent men among the real Repub-
icans were Dupont de lEure, an old lawyer of
the first revolution the celebrated Arago, and
GARNER Pages, who all were members of the
Chamber of Deputies, and to whom are to be
added Marrast and his colleagues of the Ma
tiOndl.
D. This party was composed of the most dis
cordant element, and might be called the RerO-
htiORGry. 1t numbered among its members
many generous and philanthropic men, but also
great number of unprinciped and blood
thirsty souls. The Communists and Socialists
belonged to this party. The views of these po-
htical sects were, a mixture of the most sub
lime conceptions and the most crazy visions.
Some of them nourished the loftiest aspirations,
while others were seeking for the satisfaction
of the most sordid and vulgar appetites. The
Communists advocated community Of property,
and insisted that labor and its produce should
be in partnership; that competition should be
| abolished, and work and wages so distributed
and regulated by the State, as to equalize the
! condition of each individual in the community.
J To which the Socialists added the theory, prac-
tically attempted after the revolution of 1913,
that the claims of labor are not satisfied by
wages, but that the workman is entitled to
proprietary share Of the capital which employs
him. No wonder that many of the mechanics
and workmen supported this party. Wronged
and injured as these classes had been, by the
prepOnderating influence of wealth, it appears
very natural that they were easily induced to
support these principles and though we may
be ready to smile at their simplicity and ipPO-
rance of political economy, we cannot but sym
pathize with them in their wishes for relief.
Among the leaders of this party, Louis Blanc,
the author of the Organization dU TrGrdH,
and Ledru Rollin, member of the Chamber Of
Deputies, commanded some respect, on account
Of their talents.
But though the Government was evidently
supported only by the minority Of the nation, ii
would have been able 10 resist all opposition,
had it acted with less arrogance and with more
prudence. But the obstinate character of NJ.
Guizot proved equally fatal to Louis Philippe,
as the bigotry and fury of Polignac had been
o Charles Y