The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1858-12-23

Liberty of the Church, the Liberty of Edu-
cation, and the Liberty Of the Monastic
Orders.
NJ. Montslembert took great interest in
the affairs OF Ireland, watching O'Counell's
exerlons TO obtain Repeal, with admiration
and anxiety. There were some points in
common between them, both having a deci-
ded aversion oi oppression, and both strong.
ly in favor Of the supremacy Of the Catholic
Church O'Connell died in lS47, and, on
the 10th February, lS4S, DE Montalembert
had solemn funeral service celebrated TO
his memory in the Cathedral of Notre
Dame.
The Republic was established just fort
night after that date, and NJ. de Montalem-
bert was elected a member Of the Constituent
Assembly. In that capacity, endeavoring
to act independently Of faction, he gave sat
siacion to neither party. When propo-
sal was made that the journals should again
be required TO furnish security, he opposed
il, as Inimica to the freedom of the press.
lie opposed the continuance Of the state OF
siege (of Paris after the insurrection of
June. He opposed the motion in the As
sembly to permit Louis Napoleon to take
his seat as deputy, to which he had been
elected. But, at the close of the session, he
supported NJ. dc Duiaurc's bill for the re-
striction OF the press, and strongly approved
Of the French expedition to Rome.
Reelected to the Assembly, he exhibited
more uncertainty than was anticipated. He
actively assisted in preparing The law for
restraining the Suffrage within The narrow
limits, ia principle which he maiutiins in
the article under legal prosecution and he
distinguished himself by frequent passages.
alarms in eloquence with Victor Hugo, the
only man 10 the Assembly who spoke as
well as himself. More than all, having vot-
ed in l848, that it would be dangerous to
allow Louis Napoleon to act as simple
deputy, NJ. de Montalembert vehemently
defended the same Louis Napoleon as Pres
ldent, in 1851. 1t may be remembered that
Louis Napoleon affected or entertained
great attachment TO the Church, of which
NJ de Montalembert was the champion.
The coup d'e'dt Of December 2, 1851,
was received by NJ. de Montalembert as o
sort OF necessity, but be protested strongly
against the Imprisonment Of the Deputies.
tHc HeN uONtTDIncDt
named him member of the Consultative
Commission. This he declined, but was
elected in 1852, member of the Corps
legislatif In that packed assembly be
seemed TO oppose every thing proposed,
standing in the remarkable position OF con-
sttuting a glorious majority of one" He
was a candidate for reelection las, year, but
was defeated by aGovernment man.
lie then retired from public lite, much af.
fecting the select society of the aristocratic
Faubourg ST. German, who respected his
ancient lineage and admired bis orthodoxy,
and only appeared occasionally at the sit
tlngs OF the French Academy, of which he
was elected "A member in 1852. His visit
to England during the present year. inter.
ested him in public business and institutions
there, and besides, his mother was English,
from whom ne derived knowledge Of the
language. Tho result OF his observation,
on free legislative discussion iu England,
particularly during the debate on the India
Bill, he communicated to his French friends
through ie Correspondent, and is indicted
for attacking the laws, government, and rul
er of France because be praised those Of
England. 1t is as if praising one lady for
her beauty, virtue. and accomplishments,
her neighbor would angrly maintain that
You purposed To insinuate dispraise of her.
self, on all those points