The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-01-14


Spirit of Prooress-Me Crisis in France-The
CRISIS at Ham6urg-BaU Gi0en in faror of
the Poor at the Grand Opera HOuse-The
Baptism offhe Princeo the AstmiGs- The
Celebrated German StasuGry, Ranch-Lap
Suit on En,balmiag.
To the Editor of the National Era
There prevails at this moment throughout
Europe remarkable spirit Of progress. Poll
tics are discussed even at st. Peterborough, and
such q thing az representatives of the people
openly talked Of. The late Kreutz Gazette, Of
Berlin, has dropped its mysterious title and its
aris.ocratic tendency, 10 advocate universal suf-
frage ard the rights of the people. In Belgium,
the Liberal party has gained large majority
in the last election; it ID perfect triumph over
the Catholic party, although the latter employed
every means in its power to counteract the as.
tendency of its opponent.
The priests even went so far as to drive their
focks to the polls themselves. to watch their
voting. The enlightened citizens voted for
progress, nevertheless.
In Sardinia, the Liberal party has also been
victorious, and tie next meeting of its Deputies
will be highly interesting.
The above.nentioned manifestations had a
great influence upon the manacled press OF
France. La Presse, the leading paper of the
Republican party, speaking of the members Of
the Chamber of Deputies who refused TO take
the oath, said, "for some months past, there has
been vague emotion universally felt in the pub
- lie mind" and adds, "this is evidently the hour
) for decisive resolutions. The problems which
; preoccupy the political world simplify them
: selvss-parties draw closer together, and reckon
their numbers it appears as if we had all heard
from one end of Esrope to the other, voice
calling Us to sriae end march Ought we al
WAYS, living en- our "reminiscences and our re
grets, to sink deeper and deeper in Our dejec.
tons? Ought the Revolutionary party initiate
the Legitimists, whom abstention has reduced
to nulty? We have already reckoned our
numbers; we know that we are great party
devoted to revolution"
This article did not escape the vigilant eye Of
Napoleon's Minister of Police, and La Presst
has been suspended fer two months. Scarcely
had the mighty hand Cf the present power closed
the establishment Of this popular journal, when
Mr.. Girardin, former director of La Presse
gave signs of life Ia the Courier de Paris
That able journalist admits the Empire sane
toned by large majority of voters. But be
does not wish TO live like stranger in his owr
country, who, by paying taxes, enjoys all the
nights OF Frenchman except that OF suffrage
What does that vote amount to, if no opposition
is admitted! BE calls for o constitutional op
position. and appeals to the journals devoted t.
the great cause of liberty to lend their aid Il
Eouee the spirit of the people.
These articles created q great sensation, but
for . few days past, have ceased to appear; per
haps Girsrdin has already received notice t.
desist in fact, the Chamber of Deputies is
mere farce. as it is now constituted Napoleon
gives to his Council of State certain laws to ex
anime, and, when finally adopted, they ar
placed before the Chamber of Deputies snt
Senate, to be confirmed, without single voic
that dares to say nay.
Your weeks past, mentioned to you lette
OF the Emperor to his Minister Of Finance, il
which he ridculed the idea OF q crisis. A crisis
IN rich, prudent, sober, and honest FRANCE, wa
prepcsterous! But, a few DAYS ago, the sam,
Minister to whonf Napoleon addressed that re
Narksble letter made report to the Emperor
In which he calls his Msisa.y's attention to tn
great number of workmen cut of employment
ana their Destitute condition, and requests tn
appropriation OF large sums of money 70 sssis
them through tie winter. -
Inc commercial crisis ia unfortunately ON tn,
increase IN France. There are no nurcbaser
ior Inc thousands OF articles of luxury which 81
the stores of the manufacturers.
damourgh suffers more from this epidemi
tnan any other commercial place on the Cont
nent: Sixty six important houses have aus
pended payment, and their liabilities are emo,
nous. Three Of these houses involve a large
smount than all the failures of Austria, amount
lhe 10 more than three hundred The CON
niece OF hamburgh alone is nearly as great a
france, however, will suffer comparatiyel