The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-07-20
THE COUP D'ETAT OF 1851.
Specuyatsons OF tne Events I'm Paris or the
Ip.cerubrr.

from the New YoRK HERALD, December %. 1851
THE RECENT EXPLOSION IN FRANCE BY LOUIS
NAPOLEON
The new revolution m Frauoe Of tie let instant
ceved and executed With such prompnss and energy oy
Louis Nspos onthe dispersion 81 the Lave NaVoaai as
seubly-thc appeal 10 universal eulageihe proect Ior
form or govern ent, win Louis Napoleon at i1
porance at the present ums TO France aad Euopc aud
although they may sarte msnJ persons 90 oo'n siu ~
the Atlantic, they are ttili events that nlgn. @ ny
have been expected by any one acquAnieu VIZ. 'lo
French national acter aud the curious state aua eo
ton Of parties in that republic during The last '"0 VI
AS we have already intinaied do rot express any
extraordinary surprise at this sudden cap
yoution in Paris and throughout France me
of psrtes in tina, cuiously Constituted repuoche poll
tical excitement which increasing ever! ua;sAso
utter eenshness ana want rasnes an Impression On
the mind Of the calm observer ihat 'ae e'vS ,b,
according to the Constitution ,0r mex , M sudden
or coup des from one faction or the DINER,
which raging in France for the last TWO or nree
years The first question that naturally suggests tset IN
this country concerning these events u.s. how VIII LOUIS
Napoleon be able to sustain hmse9What probability OF
there before bin In carrying out the brief pro
grsmme prehgurng the new government which he intends
to establish the ruins of the old We shall reply to
due es,m ate Of the present position OF French society
life.
During recent visit to France we made II very
earnest subject Of Investigation to ascertain from all
sources, the probable destiny OF that country and the
chances which any spe;es OF republican other govern
ment had for permanence and popularity. According to
the best Of judgment are very much disposed 70
believe that Louis Esuoeon from the very bodness OF his
coup dstat and the imperial traditions still hanging
around his naue will be aoe to carry out in every point
OF view, hs programme OF revolution which he has pro
muga.ed by proclamation in Paris and throughout the
departments. Ee will doubt have some strong els-
meDts OF opposition contend ageus. among he socialists
the red republicans the 0feensts, and the Bouroonst
Of various shades and characters But he never would
have again appealed 70 universal suffrage unless under
the strong conviction that in the excitement OF the mo-
nnent and in the Enthusiasm created By his cup dent,
he could procure hs reelection, aud Tie return OF
two Chambers composed OF friends OF his system ana ms
For time past, very large and influential portion
of socieiy-the middle classes, aud Of bueness in
Paris and throughout the oepartments-have changed
their notions the subject Of government to very con-
siderable extent particularly as regards democracy aud
repubcsnsm The great mass Of the French people are
without religion Of any kind Their highest happness
consists in enjoying the good things OF this life, without
caring for future fer eternity, for God, in any
form or shape that b. perceived They wish peace
ana good eating Under these selfish feelings they will
generally unite this OF Louis Napoleon, AMI
support his views because may realize, in their expec
atons permanent form Of government OF some kind,
peace and prosperity, and trade and comtotniateIs in
which they take deep interest, without regarding poll
tics social theories with other feelings than those OF
contempt and scorn In addition to this, large portion
OF sociey-the country peoperom "reminiscences Of the
great Napoleon, will generally unite in these feelings TO-
wards the present movements in Frame The army,
seems, from the frmness which they have displayed in
Paris entirely secure the cause Of the President
who is soon, probably, to be called 10 the imperial CHAIR
All these views will mott likely be found to be correct
In the course OF the next few weeksas soon as we shall
have ascetaned the result Of the elections about to take
place under the new revolution Louis Napoleon has
taken possession OF The whole power or the government
without the check OF National Assembly. All the sgi
atorsamong the Orlesnists, and Bourbons and social
ists dispersed will be dispersed put in prison
The press will doubt be brought By military coercion
into subservent condition as during any period
OF the Empire Paris declared in state Of eiege and
the same policy will be dispayel towards Lyons Mar
eees and all the other large democratic cles OF France
The new government will rush into ele ,tion under
universal suffrage with enthusiasm and camor Of ali kinds
against moparchists and socialists The chances are that
m
social life, and of religion evensuch aa they have 1t in
France-wn unite in favor of the new movement, and
that Louis Napoleon will be able 70 carry all his points
before the people, and in less than month establish
new governmen. Of tso Chambers, composed Of large
majority devoted to his interests, aud Presidency for
ten years with the prospect Of creating an empire ana at
no distant day.
This the way IL which this sudden movement may be
regarded by France and The causes may be found within
tbe limits a France herself
But how will az ibis be regarded by surrounding ma
tione on the Con;nent-by England, Germany, Italy,
Austria, Russia, and other countries? Mos. likely this
movement has been Dse aed by thess very Powers No
doub! the British government Ia as much implicated in
advising Louis Napoleon to take this course, Austria
Russis, any other despotc country Tbs to os
Of The other nations of Europe towards the extra
ordinary comp detat Of Louis Napoleon. II such be the
case they will stand by and look with perfect delight
the progress Of reaction towards monarchy and des
potism the French republic Nothing may be expected
loom these quarters at all hostile repugnan to :ae
duct of Louis Napoleon He is moving Ia their direction,
and they will encourage bis progress
Another very important consideration sprrging from
these extraordinary events ia the probability tnst the
British government in combination With the other gov
ernmerts of Europe, alarmed at the meaacng revolution
Of 1882 will likewise 60 back ward and postpone evade
the promise which Lord John Russell recently made
bring forward reform bill, AMI enlargement of
the elective fran hse We should not be at all surprised
if all the governments of Europe 10 pretend 10 be
frightened Of the appearance OF thugssrch Kossu.hs
progress In England-and TO demand OF the British
government the expulsion from London Of all the Italian,
Hungarian German and French refugees who have been
oongregatng in England for the las. two Q. three years
tinent In 1852 If such De the case Ledru Rollln MAJ
zni, Louis Blanc, and all the exp,triaed patriots the
Continent in London may be expected in this
try-tbe refuge Of the refugees Of the ~hoe world The
mssion even of Kossuh 10 this country checked If
nearly put end 70 Tor the present. By these sudden
events in France. His prospects OF reaching Hungary
are demped for the present to very alarming extent
tinuation of the spirit Of reaction larger
action produced in France and generated Europe by the
ignorance, folly violence and want of skill in the org
majors and promoters Of the various revolutions lS4
Throughout CoEiinent socialism, rregon violence and
folly which marked the revolutions Of lS4S aud ls49
ruinedt the cause Of werg uiaed liberty 81 ope.
for at least Louis Napoleon mag no
doubt, violated the constitution and tie Ia OF France
his cup ddt; but all revolutions violations OF exist
ing laws and constitutions, and he may the
ground Of necessity and excediency for the
pursued, as Ledru Roln and LsmErtne did when they
aBumed without authority warrant, the supreme g)y.
ernmeot OF France, vhic1 they held but fer ssort
months In consequence Of their want Of talent and fitness
for their posts.
Rapubcanizm in France and Europe for some years 70
come has been ruined By the ignorance and ine,
Of such Lstnsrtine and Ledru Roiu gho did moi
kno@ HOW to copduc. the great uoyt inert when thew had
II entirely under their control in Their Own hands
Yet we do not altogether despair France or Europa o-
all time TO come fney must another Gle Of ten or
fifteen years under imperial rule, VIVA. viii be The
next thing to it, before another generation can be laugh,
talent religion, intelligence and morality capable Of car
rying true republican government into operation With
all the intelligence and philosophy possessed by France
the people Of that country to be- from their previous
habits and religious n1tio Of Thousand years unit for
republican government conducted the plan OF checks
and balances as understand in United States or
as 1t is understood in England and o.her Protestant
countries None OF the southern countries Of Europe
Spain, France, Italy Austria, even Hungary-can be
capable, for long time To come of establishing republican
sell government on the principle Of checks and baarces
freedom OF the press and thought-as we enjoy IL in
thB country, or even ss it exists in England II repub
c were established In Eogaud and the countries OF the
North OF Europe 70 morrow-in Holland, Prussia Dem
mark and Swedenthe people Of these countries from the
habits OF thought and sefreection which the Protestant
religion gives them, would be once capable OF sef
government as they nave shown themselves TO be
BILE OF self intelligence and self dependence in the
OF religion, ~ 40