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dicthe general to himiwithariiination cr...
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iFoteign intciligenrf.
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TRANCE. THB BLECT0RA1 BILX. Oa Wednesday...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Dicthe General To Himiwithariiination Cr...
o THE NORTATIHN STAR . - ; - . " Jvm 1 , 18 /^ n
Ifoteign Intciligenrf.
iFoteign intciligenrf .
Trance. Thb Blect0ra1 Bilx. Oa Wednesday...
TRANCE . THB BLECT 0 RA 1 BILX . Oa Wednesday the principal speaker was M . Montalembert , who , of course , spoke in support oi the bill . —We are reproached with violating the Constitution , and with attacking universal suffrage . As to the violation of the Constitution , I stand here , the second of the seventeen members who prepared the bill , to give to that affirmation an energetic , conscientious , and complete contradiction . No , we have not aimed at violating the Constitution . Had that been our design , we are the sort of men who would have at once declared it . Bat such certain !? was
altogether remote from our intention , as will he demonstrated to you when the articles ars tinder discussion . On the contrary , we entered on the preparation of the bill with the firm determination to respect hoth the spirit and letter of the Constitution , aad in the same frame of mind did we complete our task . We desired to go as far as the Constitution would permit us , hut no farther . I may erea add that perhaps we . have respected it too ouch , and that if our hill is open to objection in any respect , or , in other words , if it is inefficient , the
reason is that we have bowed so humbly before the fatal trammels of the Constitution . ( Movement . ) I siy fatal , because we have respected them ; had we not done so , they would be of no avail . Having said so , I proceed to discuss thisquestion of the violation of the Constitution , which has been the pre ^ text of the constant attacks made against society during the past year . I am so much the more at ease in this discussion that I voted against the Constitution , for I had ray doubts that it was so perfect as its rramers fondly represented it —( laughter ) —but I hasten to declare that that act of mine
by ho means liberates me from the obligation of obeying it ; I leave that theory of disobeying a law which one has not voted to the Republicans of the veille , and to those old conspirators whom the revolution of February , has caused to surge up from the depths of their concealment . After an attack upon Tictor Hugo , who was absent , the speaker continued—For my part I take the Constitution for what it is—the fundamental law of the country . I am its subject , you are its friends ; but I cannot help remarking that yea , its friends , render its life a very hard one . ( Loud laughter . ) You do so in the first place by permitting Socialism to take it as its ensign , and next by constantly
representing it as being violated , or on the eve of being so . I say that it is childish and shameful The violation of a Constitution is not discussed , it is felt . I repeat that such conduct is puerile and ri diculous . It reminds one of the silly shepherd who kept erring « WoU ! wolf I' so that when the real wolf arrived —( prolonged laughter and approbation ) —no one came to his assistance—no one ran to the aid of the lying and cowardly shepherd . I have often asked Ryself how I should proceed to destroy the Constitution , if ever such an' idea should enter my mind ; and I am compelled to avow that , after mature ^ reflsction , I decided that I should do precisely what its defenders have done—render it at
once ridiculous and odious . As they have done , I would represent it as a sort of vestal to produce mirth whose mock-modesty would be the laughing stock of the public ways and of nations . ( Loud laughter and applause . ) I would make it odious in this manner : I would interfere , Constitution in hand , in every question which interests the honour and prosperity of France , and I would say , * You cannot do that / Thus I would have said , ' You cannot go to Rome to re-establish the influence of France , the Constitution is opposed to it ; you cannot regulate the right of meeting , it is contrary to the Constitution ; yon casnotput an end to the scandals of Prussia , the Constitution is opposed to
it ; you cannot , for the same reason , modify the electoral law . ' Between the country and honour , between her and her welfare , I wonld always place the Constitution . That is the plan I would pursue . ( Renewed applause . ) I would always place the Constitution between the country and its dignity , like a barrier , or like an abyss . ( Sensation . ) This is the conduct I would pnrsue if I had at heart . to destroy the Constitution . But there is another thing which I should not have imagined , and that is , to make the Constitution the pretext to organise the right of Insurrection in the country . For the last month , insurrection and civil war have been discussed as if it were the programme of a fete . ( Sensation . )
This is the regime to which society has been subected . . I know of no example in history of such a state of things . I say that it is incompatible with social nature , and that it carries us back to a state of barbarism . I know of only one government which can bear analogy with such a state of things , and that is the government of the Dey of Algiers rising on the body of its strangled predecessors . I repeat that it would lead us into the path of the most atrocious barbarism . What is the difference between our adversaries and ourselves ? We say that the Constitution ought to he compatible with the interests and the honour of the country ; you say that it is incompatible with social life end with the
grandeur of the country . That Constitution , nevertheless , recognises anterior rights , and certainly the first of rights is to give life to society . It is , therefore , necessary to make war on Socialism by every means —{ Cries of 'Yes , yes ! ' )—by every means which the law allows . ( Yes , yes !) I say that it is necessary to undertake against Socialism , which is devouring us , a Roman expedition at home . ' ( Loud applause on the Right , and violent exclamations on the Left . ) In the same manner that an expedition was undertaken to Rome rgaicst a Republic with which it was wished to unite our responsibility , should an expedition be entered on at home against Socialism , in order to prove that it has nothing in common with the Republic . ( Rear ,
hear . ) The position is so much the same that the cry is now raised about a violation of the Constitution , as it was at the period of the Roman expedition . The same accusations are brought forward which it was then wished to follow up by a commencement of execution ; the same has been wished at the present time , but those who advocated it have shrank from it . With regard to the expedition to Rome , there were three paths to be pursuedneutrality , complicity , or hostility . Neutrality would hate beeu the abdication of the influence of "Brim §! ^ complicity would have been disgraceful , fo ? ' * whbuld have assumed the joint responsibility of Revolution which was inaugurated by assassination ; .- ' -: -r
On the Left : You know very well that that is false , Oa the Right : Yes , yes ! Assassination i M . db Montalembert : War was made by Prance against the Roman Republic . God bless the undertaking , and on several occasions 450 votes in this Assembly have sanctioned it . You are in precisely the same situation against Socialism at home . Neutrality is death . If you cross your arras you may as well make your will , but that will be of little use , for your he ; rs will tear it . Complicity is disgraceful , for Socialism dishonours the Republic There only then remains for us war ; war carried on energetically , and by every means . M . Lagrange here again rose , and endeavoured to speak , but was pacified by M . de Lamartine .
M . de Montalembert : In acting thus , we shall continue our campaign of the days of June , 1848 , that campaign which was so well and so energetically conducted by General Cavaignac . We have now the same enemies under the same flag . I regret to have beard General Cavaignac—I ani anxious not to say anything unpleasant to the hon . general , bnt he must allow me to ask him , and history will one day put the same question to him —where are now those men whom he fought against , whom he chastised , whom he pulverised , whom he transported ? Where are they ? They are at his side J ( Sensation . ) He will vote with them to-morrow against us . It is the same combat ,
against the same enemy , who besiege the same citadel , but who have recourse to another tactic , and conspire against society in making use of the Constitution in the guise of barricades . They thought they had hemmed us in their circumvallations , but they have left us one issue—that of domicile . It is our duty to avail ourselves of it . ( Murmurs on the Left . ) Offer up your vows that we may prove that the Constitution is compatible with the salvation of society ; for if it were shown that the Constitution is , as the Socialists state , the arsenal and the prelude of anarchy , there is no law in the
world that could condemn society to death . It would be . its death warrant to condemn it to Socialism . ( Ironical laughter on the Left . ) The day on which that shall be shown they will be only madmen or wretches who will take part for the u ^ " ^ Vgainst society . ( Loud applause . ) I shall be the first to say that it is paramount to savo society . ( Hear . ) The mo 8 t accredited cr « n of Socialism says :- ' From electoral reform arose the republic ; in the same way , from universal suffrage vrul come Eociarrefom . ' Social reform is Soq « I « m . This u the affirmation 0 f our adversaries . If Buca be the case , it is a duty for ns to prove that
Trance. Thb Blect0ra1 Bilx. Oa Wednesday...
universal suffrage does not lead to Socialism ^; it Ja a duty for us to correct , to warn ; ' and fd ^ enligbteh universal suffrage .. ^ We propwft to render rawem suffrage better by ^ substituting : sincere forlfaCtitious majorities ; by haying electors whohive . sdmeroom in society instead of wandering ones . .. In doing this , we falsify'none of bur , previous acts . If- there are by chance , men who consider themselves injured , and unjustly deprived of a riirht , do you know ot whom they ought to complain ? . It » . not of us , but of those who have dishonoured and profaned universal suffrage ; it is of those who , inthe conclave-since that appllla ^ en ^ as been J ? orrow . ed from the ' enurch , from that habitof sacrilege which ofthosewhoin
characterises revolutionists-it ' 18 . ; .. , ihis conclave , and in the flubs ; , have made an apology for Robespierre , for Marat , and those names which are abominable in our history ; . ( Sensation . ) There is in the minority a minority which 1 performs its self-aaigned duty with energy ,-and ; sometimes with frankness—that doty is to destroy society . We , on the other hand , have the . duty imposed on us of saving it ; and I ask myself if we have . done , our duty with the same energy . Believe me . that we have not a . moment to spare . If . there are men in this majority , ' men who . resign themselves to the triumph of our adversaries in 1852—to- the triumph of Socialism—why hot decide on finishing the matter at once ? You know what was the custom
in the middle ages : when the defenders of a citadel were determined to hold out to the death , ' they placed the keys on the end of a pike , and threw them into the quarters of the assailants . " That is better than to perish by a slow death , which would have no other advantage than to be an end without fine phrases . - If you mil not either render at discretion or die , yen must no longer remain on the defensive ; you must assume the offensive , and attack ! ( Loud applause . ) You must force the enemy from the positions which it has gained—you must prevent the laws of the land from becoming the arsenal and lurking-place of that monster , ' Socialism , which will thence fail on society to '
devour it ! ( Laughter on the Mountain . ) We have in our favour right and strength , numbers and courage ; but have we time ?; ' No ; time is against us . We have . already lived a year ; in six months we . shall have turned the hill . and commenced our downward passage . Rut for ! ah ' Assembly which has not , perhaps , done all that was ' expected , from it , the period of 'ts wane is a time of death-throes . Our dissolution will , in fact , be' forestalled , and before we shall have finished bur . legal term we shall , like the Constituent Assembly , find ourselves
squeezed flat between the party which desires the ruin of society and that other which will reproach us with not having been energetic enough- in the fulfilment of our mandate . I repeat to you , therefore , that we have no time , to lose . A final . word relative to the men who have received the appellation of the seventeen ! We have , been , told , in a democratic journal—and ' without , any contradiction or retraction being made to the . declaration—that oar heads—of us , the seventeen—are devoted to the infernal gods of the revolution V ( Sensation . ) On the Left : What does that prove ? . ''""'
M . de Montalembert : The history of the high deeds of your ancestors proves clearly enough what it means ! Can we forget the scaffold of the Revolution ? Are we not acquainted with the democratic dagger which assassinated Rossi ? ¦ ' Well , then , the fate so threatened , I accept ! ' Yes , I prefer it a thousand times to the contempt' which , amongst posterity , will hang on the : memory of those men whom France charged to place her . in safety , but who . failed , in that sacred duty—those it-en ' who , through pusillanimity , will . have . left France abandoned to the shame , the servitude , the barbarism , which Socialism is " preparing for us . ( Tremendous cheering , which lasted some time . )
Great agitation followed Ibis speech . General Cavaignac at once hurried to the tribune , but he was obliged to remain standing'there for ten minutes at least before the sitting could proceed . . General Cavaignac : The Hon . M . de Montalembert commenced his speech by passing an etilogium on me . After having heard his speech , I ana entitled to say that I ' was right in receiving that praise only with mistrust ; I . expected it to be followed by a censure . Once for all , what is the
meaning of those reminiscences , incessantly renewed in the tribune ? There is nothing in what I say , or in what I think , which : tends to make ; me obtain in the Socialist party , te-which I-do" not belong , a false popularity . It ^ ijVijbt '' my r fafittv if' you- have now placed right on thB ^ ide ' of jour adversaries . Ithad . been saidthat t had ' changed . my' part ' and my opinion , but . that is not the case ; I do now what I did in June 1848 ; ' I then defended univeisal suffrage as I do at the- present time ; such has always been my course of acting .
M . E . Arago declared that he was opposed to the bill , and then , proceeding to criticise the speech of M . de Montalembert , he affirraed that that gen . tleraan desired to bring on civil war . ( Loud exclamations ; marks of denial . ) The President , to M . E . Arago : You have no right to u :-e such language . . M . E . Arago : * I am then prevented from expresing my sentiments . ( 'Oh , oh / and laughter . )
Has not M . deMontalembert said , 'Letus wage the war of Rome at home ?' On the Left : Yes , yes . A Voice on the Right : That means that Socialism must be put down by every legal means . M . E . Arago : Did General Oudinot wage war on the Romans with the laws ? The President : M . Arago , you are travestying the words and intentions of M . de Montalembert . From the Mountain : No ' , no ; we protest .
The President : You have gone beyond the right of the tribune , M . Arago . You ought to regret ycur words . For my part , I condemn them absolutely . ( Hear , hear . ) MM . Madaod , Batjdin , and others : He is quite right I He is quite right 1 The Presidekt : You can do nothing but interrupt . M . E . Arago '• I ask for nothing better than to interpret in a different manner the Words of M . de
Montalembert ; but it is impossible to look . on bis language as that of conciliation . ( Applause oh the Left . ) . M . de Montalembert , too , appears to me to have a strange mode of respecting the Constitution , when he declares that he submits to it , but that he considers it detestable . The sovereignty of the people is a principle large enough to brave all efforts . Whatever may be the , attacks made on the Constitution , the people will despise them , because it knows that it is eternal , and that you can exist only for a day !
The sitting was brought to ' a close at a quarter past six . TnuasnAv , Mat 23 . ' - M . Dupin , sea ., the President , took the chair at half-past one . The public tribunes were by no means so crowded as on the preceding days . . Petitions against the Electoral Reform Bill were presented by MM . Ceyras , Lagarde , Armand ( du Var , ) Mathe , Bourzat , Sauteyra , Rigal , Lamarque , Sommier , Laclaodure , Dupont , ( de Bussac , ) E . Arago , Auhry , ( Dii Nord , ) Versigny , Testelin , Madier de MonVjau , Pascal Duprat , Charras , & c . The order of the day was the adjourned discussion on the Electoral Reform Bill . The President : M . "Victor Hugo has expressed a wish to address the Assembly . ( Ah , ah . )
A Voice : He has had time to commit his speech to memory . * ' M . Victor Hugo : I desire to say a few words in reference to what fell yesterday from M . de Montalembert , and the day before from M . J . de Lasteyrie ; and in doing so I cannot but ' express my regret at being obliged to introduce any personal matter across the grave question which we discuss . I might leave aside altogether the attacks , so full of passion , which were made on m 6 by the two gentlemen whom . I have jii & t named ; . they are of a nature only ^ to excite a smile . ( Ob ,-oh . ) General Cavaignac nobly . replied yesterday to those made on himbut
; as the attacks , on me touch my honour nearly , I will reply tothem in the most direct manner . ( Movement ) - I have been accused of having been the enthusiastic panegyrist of various governments , of having , opinions essentially changing in their nature , and of being now inconsistent with my former life . If this accusation refers to language in praise of monarchy , uttered many years . back 1 might dispense with replying to the charge , further than by declaring that it proceeded from feelings of the roost pure and candid nature , and was an emanation of my infancy . ( Loud laughter on the Right , responded to by cheers on the Left ; long interruption . )
On the Right : You cannot deny the charge . On the Left : How many governments have you ever . then . betrayed ? ( Agitation . ) M . V . Hugo : I say , then , that if the allusion is to such language and to such times , the : whole matfr is a puerility , and merits no further notice . ; ( Ob , oh . ) But if the gentlemen of whom I speak allude to the opinions of the man , and not of the child ,
Trance. Thb Blect0ra1 Bilx. Oa Wednesday...
this is my rep ly —( marks of deep attention ) - * I deliver to the most searching scrutiny of my opponents everything that ! have said or written since 1827-rthat is three , and twenty years ago ~ andi ? defy them to show ine one expression that can bearbut their accusation . ( Applause on the Left . ) I defy them to produce one page , or . idea , or word , in iny whole career of manhood , that can in the slightest degree contradict what I have expressed in these latter times . ( Loud cheers , on the Left . ) If . you do not accept this challenge ! tell you that you must recoil under the pressure of an unfounded accusation . . ( Great agitation . ) Further , X declare , once for ail , that henceforward , after this day ,. ! will hot
reply to the attacks made on / me with * the utmost disdain—I shall leave them'to the appreciation of the public . ( Agitation . ) M . de Montalembert has said I have flattered and denied every government . I summons him to come forward and atate in what instancesIhave . done'Vo . . Wasit ^ Charles X . ? I have honoured , ins exile and paid respect , to his tomb ! Ww it the Duchess of Bern ? I branded with reprobation the seller , and condemned the buyer , in her transaction .. Was it the Emperor Napoleon ? It was ; I who moved in the Chamber of , Peers for the fe-a'dnussion of his family into France —of thaWamily'by whom M ; 'd 6 'MoKalenibert and his friends were loaded with benefits .. ( Loud cheers on the Left . ) Was it the Duchess . of Orleans ? On
February 24 th , 1848 , at two in the afternoon , on the Place de la Bastille , I spoke to . 30 , 000 persons in most eulogistic terms of . that most excellent lady . I am , in fact , a strange man . I have taken many oaths ; and kept ihem all . But perhaps the reproach thrown on me is that lam ia favour of the Republic . Yet , rio ; that , can scarcely be brought forward a « a crime . ' Ai all event ? , I can , fliug back the reproach of abandoning opinions , ' and say to M . de Montalembert , that the colours which he has abandoned are those of Poland and of liberty . ( Hear ,, hear . ) One word more : M . de Montalembert has alleged it against me , as a crime , that I was absent when he was speaking . " Voices : Yes , yes . ; . you always are so ; .
M . V . Hugo : Yes , when my chest is shattered with answering the systematic interruptions to which I am always subjected when I ascend the tribune . ( Loud / : denial j . agitation . ) I might ' welt allow MJ de Montalembert'and . M . J . Lasteyrie ! to cover me with the thunders : df . their eloquence ^ for when I attacked , the bill on public instruction , " they were silent ; when I attacked the transportation bill , they were silent ; when I defended the application made for the amnesty , they were silent ; ( Loud cheers on the Left . ) 'But of this they may be certain , ' . whenever anything is to he done in favour ] of ' '' democracy I am sure to be here . ( Loud applause on the Left . ) : M . be Montai-embert ' : I shall not take four and
twenty hours to reply to the honourable gentleman . ( Laughter . ) . 1 accused him of having sung : the praises cf every government ; and then proved renegade to it . I repeat the accusation ! He sung the praises of the restoration ; and the verses exist which he published on the coronation ' of Charles X ., and on the birth of the Duke de Bordeaux . ' ( Loud cheers . ) He then sung the praises of the heroes of July , after Charles X .. had departed . ( Hear , hear . ) : But I will allow some latitude for poetry , and , renouncing that mode of expression , take up the honourable gentleman ' s sober prose . 1 affirm then , ' without' fear of contradiction , that M : Victor Hugo uttered language
of the ' mbst adulatory description relative to Louis Philippe . ( Cheers ori the Right . ) Last of all came the Republic ; and . the hon . gentleman , it , is well known , praised the ' people in the most enthusiastic manner for having burnt the throne of Louis Philippe , the throne of him who made the hon . gentleman peer of France . ( Loudi cheers . ) The hon . gentleman now imagines that he sees in the political horizon the coming of the people '' to' power ' ,, and , with his ordinary prudence , be j oins with the 'leaders of Socialism , in order to afterwards avail himself of its triumph for his own purposes . ( Cheering on the Right ; great agitation . ) . He will then celebrate its accession , as he did the coronation' of Charles X .,
and breathe forth : the same incense of praise on the workman , as . be did before on the crowned Monarch . ( Continued cheering . ) ¦ ' * ¦ - " ¦ ¦«*'""' ¦ " ' - - ' ' > - ' ¦ M . Victor Hugo ' : " ! asked for facts , and hot for words . ; ( OH , ofij ) * I defied anyone to bring forward a single fact , against me ,, and I do so again . ( Laughter " ohjthe Sight i . a ' ppla ^ seontheLeft . JHas thehon . gentlemW . forgp ' tten ; his : ownproclamation to ; the workmen afters 1 § 48 ? -. ( Loud cheers on the Left . ) -: He has done : aistrahge / thing in rpe ' aking of mylanguag ' e ' as a peer " of -France ;; for the occasion to ¦ ' ^ Whicb ^ Hegre'fers was -a ; secret 'deliberation that ought not tb'be'faade : pubhc ; ''' ( Movementij ; ; Since that gentleman has lifted up the Veil , I will say that it was when the King had been fired at ; ; and when two other members and myself desired toiave . the man ' s life saved . :
The President : This incident being terminated , we have now to decide whether the articles of the Electoral Reform 'Bill are ¦ to be proceeded , with or not . ' A division has been mbyedtor on the point . The division then took place , arid gave the follow . mg result : — Number of votes . 689 ' Absolute Majority .. 345 Ayes 462 Noes 227 , Majority . ...... 235 In consequence , it was decided that the discussion on the articles should commence . The President : There are thirty seven amendments in all . The following is the first article :--
In the twelve days which follow the promulgation of the present law , the electoral list shall be drawn up in each commune by the ' mayor . ' ; M . de Lamartine said that be felt it his duty to oppose the present measure . : The motive which actuated the committee and . majp ' rity in bringing it forr ward , mas a feeling oninpatience . Men found it often difficult to" waif for the proper time to act . It was impatience which had produced the attack oh the Assembly on May 15 th ) led to the insurrection of June ; caused the exile of Charles X ., in 1830 ' . from his impatience to disconcert the party which he conceived was plotting against him ; and led to the downfall , of Louis Philippe , in 1848 , froto his hot waiting patiently , for the proper moment to discover
the plans of those who were plotting against him . [ After a speech in . interruption from General Bedeau , M . de Lamartine continued . ]' . In his opinion the new Electoral Law , besides being destructive of the Republic ! would ultimately prove fatal to society a « d civilisation . He theh . denounced Various acts of the government , denoting their aritiirepublican tendency , and amongst others , the permission granted to the director of one of the theatres to bring out a play entitled Morick , that ideal of traitors . ( ' What did Monck do ? ' inquired a member on the Right . ) M . Lamartine , having satisfied the'interrupter , told hira in conclusion that he woujd not have dared to ask him such a question two-years ago . ( ' Bravos ' on the Left . )
Friday , Mat 24 . M . Thiers ascended the tribune , and spoke as follows " : —Gentlemen , some of the members who have already spoken have summoned me to . come forward and state the reasons , which have produced the present bill . It appears to me that most powerful , most : decisive : ones have been ; given . Still , I will endeavour also to reply , and , to ' use the expresssioh . of a celebrated Socialist , I . will try to do so by the right line . The object of the bill is this : we are convinced that the danger is real and immense . . We would fairi say ; that it was an illusion , that we ; were maniacs from apprehension , and not men . of foresight . I fear ! however
, that . the illusion , is on the side of our adversaries . It has been said that the bill ba 8 originated in the two late elections ; but that is not wholly true , though correct to a certain degree ' I have never been a convert to universal suffrage ; if , during the last two years , ' I have resigned myself to many things , I have never been con . verted to any . ( Laughter , ) Neither I nor my friends have concealed from ourselves the danger of universal suffrage as it is at present organ ised . I will examine the two last elections , and s ? e whether tl : e dangers we apprehend are illusions . To begin with that of the 10 th of March , I will ask what was . the motive for choosing the candidate who was then elected ? I can uoderi
stand that he was chosen for himself ; but let there be no . hypocrisy in the matter ; from what motive was he named ? One fact is certain , that M . de Flotte fought in the days of June . On which side ? Was it on the side of General Cavaignac or on the other side of the barricades ? I do not pretend to dictate to democracy whom it should choose , but I ' have a right to form " an opinion of its selection ; I therefore ask my opponents whether they did * not select an insurgent of June ? I now come to' the second election ; tbewh ' ole-ef France was astounded , not at-the choice ot the candidate , but at'the intention which dictated it . I have no right to examine into the opimpnsofjM . Eugene Suef wheti , jie ; : ' ahall . have given them an official character by stating them from this tribune , then I w ^ speak of ' them . I
Trance. Thb Blect0ra1 Bilx. Oa Wednesday...
shall now merely look at the intention which dictated his election . There : were two ' candidates in presence ; Mi Dupbnt de | l'Eure , : who represented the republican : opinion , ahd / M ; Eugene > Sue , who represented ideas which wtrconsiderassubversive , and- which were niuch more ; frankly declared at the electoral meetings than here . ( Murmurs . ) M . Eugene Sue obtained the majority . Twice following did . ejections . take . place in Paris ,. „ tbe ( significance of wbict was—for / the ; firat / the apology of insurrection ; and for the second , the acceptance
of Socialist doctrines . This must be clear to every one ' s mind , when they reflect en the cry of triumph rained by our adversaries after each of those elections . It has been said that there is no danger to be apprehended , but I have shown you that " tKeife . ' ' notbingin : fbe two'last *' elections calculated to tr ' anqnillise the friends of society ^ ' , ' ; . ' Oa the Eeft : Wb . at' society ? ( Murmurs . )/ .,: M . TmERs "' . ' I speak of that ' eternal society whichiit is riot allowable to change ; ''( Hear , hear . ) On the Left : The society of Jesus J' ( Cries " of ' lOrder . ; order . l It is disgraceful . ' ) . - ¦¦¦¦¦ ¦ - ¦ ¦ ¦ " !
M . Thiers : In the . electoral meetings ' society and'its . ' eternal laws were attacked without shame ' , and , when the questionis in' this place' to' resist . a jaw against public danger a very different language isVmade use of . ' : That is what I . call fa l sehood , and hypocrisy . ' ( Hear , hear , from the , Right . ) .... ; , ' "On the ,. left : yfhaxyo \ x , novf say ? is a falsehood . ( Order , brder ^ . . ; ' ¦ .. , " ., , . ' . '" -. . : , : M . Thib ' rS : You have allowed yourself fo ? accuse by name the seyehteen ' persons whd ' have ' prepared the bill ;• you have 1 acdused : them offalsehobd , ' of wrint . of good faith ; andiof a factious spirit ; ' arid yet I must not say , that there is falsehood , when , in the electoralineetuVgs abominable principles aro . supl-Dorted '' ' which are '' disavowed from ¦ this tribiinei
( Sensation . ) ' ' MJ' de Lamartine yesterday -defined three elements of Socialism ; allow the how to ' exf plairt what are the three kindsof Socialism which I see . There is one which is criminal / senseless , and impracticable ; that is Communism ,-or the agrarian law . Thai cannot even to ' attempted . There is a second kind of Socialism , which is neither less cri { minal nor less impracticable , but which may be commenced ; that is universal association . There is a third kind , which is . innocent , which has but one danger ; it has a double face ; it promises . mncn without , but does' nothing here . It may , however , become : the 'instrument of the two others . The accessibility to . labour has been talked of ; that is to' say , that credit ' shbuld be placed within the
reach of every workman , for capital is an infamy which cannot be obtained but by paying interest for it . It is necessary , therefore , to disembarrass the people of that infamous capital . ( Laughter . ) For that purpose particular banks must be' created ! which may give credit to every one with the money ofthe ' statb . ' Salary also is a tyranny . ( Murmurs . ) You find that opinion detestable to you—so mucli the better . I-am anxious-toobtain a disavqwalj which may serve to enlighten at the next hieetingsl ( Laughter . ) Salary 'is therefore a' tyranny '; for when that is done away with it will Bring ;' all workmen together , who , instead of being slaves , will be all masters and speculators .: What is to be done to accomplish this ? There must be a general
expropnationof all capital ; - " ( Sensation . ) But' where is th 6 "capital to come from to provide for . all this enormous expense ? You doubtless imagine that it cart , all be done by credit ; ho , it niust be done with a capital which has ' never- , been' wanting -to demo ^ crats , which is unlimited , which is made with the stamp of the Republicp-with paper money . ( Renewedsehsatiohlj' . ltls , therefore , ' the second kind of Socialism . which ; I ; fear—namely , ihe general expropriation with paper money . As for the third kind of Socialism , it is nothing ^ and we defy it to produce anything . Should we' in presence of such a danger fofd our arms ? ; Certainly -not ; ' I appeal to your reminiscences ; . ' . ' . 'Lara' before men who have never felt themselves compelled to respect the
constitutions under which they , lived , who have never hesitated to violate them . And why ? Toobtain the Republic and advance liberty , ' In ' order to ' procui-o that result . ' they ' have-not hesitated to rebel against tljp laws . of'theircountry /; to ^ tear iip her Constitution . ; They have considered it their duty todoso . But if in ' tlte presence of-a higher interest—that of the salvation of society—we had imitated your conduct , if we had tonr the Constitution should ' we hayp ;'; beeh more blameable than you ? Certainly , riot , ; / We ' : should -have had- the- same right , and we should have had a more serious interest . ( Hear , hear . ) Bo you think that , we want motives for so ' doing ? On the contrary ^ we have be ' en . reproaohed by a ' great part of the country for
stopping before legal obstacles . > We nro everyday askpd : why ; 'we hesitate : before men who made a government in February without consulting France . ( Applause oh the Righti Murmurs on the Left . ) . i On ' the Left : ' Ahdin' 1830 . : i / . v '"" - " ' . ;;;" . ' . ;' ,:. M . TniBns ; : . We are in the presence , of . men , who never respected any Iavir ' , and who nevertheless have enchained our future in spite of'the tendencies of public opinion ; and we are told ^ that it is before such men that we hesitate when thoysalyation of the country is at stake . ( Sensation ;) Do you know why wo ' did not follow this impulse ? On the Left :, You did not dare do it . M . Thiers : 1 have been told that we dare not , Attempt to Violate the laws , and you will see whether we ; dare not . ( Murmurs . ) Remember this ' expressi ; 6 i' ^ fqivit is a very serious one . " (
Sensation . ); ; : We ,- . imposed on ourselves the duty to remain faithful to-the constitution ; not that our advefsarieshave set ustho example , —( laughter , )—but because we owed it to our party , which always respects established ' governments , and never seeks to destroy but" to improve them . We have not violated the constitution , and your charges on that subject are not better founded than they were on the 13 th of June . It we had not confined ourselves to all the articles of the constitution , we might have obtained many ameliorations ; tho efficacy of which could not he contested . ; The fixing the domicile presents a moral guarantee . A man only possesses all his moral value in the place where he has always resided , under the eyes ' of ; his fellow citizens , observed and judged of by them . A man who has no fixed residence has no moral value .
( Hear , hear . ) An outcry has been raised at the arbitrary state of dependence in which servants and workmen will be placed ; but ' why complain of us—did we say that these classes should be electors ? ( Exclamations on the Left . ) . I see ' that there are great logicians who do riot understand my reasoning ; I must be , therefore , more explanatory with them . Are not workrhen' and servants' now dependent on their employers and masters ? But is it the poor man whom-we have excluded ? No , it is the vagabond—the , vagabond who gains money without having any domicile , and who , ori leaving his work , hastens to the wine-shop where he spends what . ho has earned . ' These men , having no family , care nothing about a domicile . I look on them as the mnsK rlAnnrnrnna nnrfcinn nf snniptv ff .-in tliASfl
men who merit a title always employed in history to impl y contempt—the title of multitude . I can very well imagine that certain men arc unwilling to give up this instrument ; I can conceive that tyrants should put up with them , give them food , sometimes ' punish them ; always despise them . ' ( Sensation and applause . ) But , for Republicans , to seek Out ; the men' of the'riiultitude and defend them —oh ! : believeme , suchpersons are false Republicans ! Examine history , and you will see'that it is the' vile multitudb'that has at all times betrayed and delivered up liberty ; It gave it to Crjosar for bread ' and trte Circensiau games ;' and , after having
allowed ' the Emperors to take it , butchered them ! It is this vile , multitude that delivered up to the Medici the liberty of Florence—that , in placid Holland , murdered de Witt and Bayle—who applauded the execution of the Girondists , and afterwards rejoiced attlie- merited death of Robespierre ! It is this multitude which , after being subjected to the great man viihe knew it well , in 1815 placed a cord round the neck of his statue to drag it through the mire . ( Immenseapplause . ) .:. ' ' M . N ; Buoxaparte ( from his place ) : I demarid permission to speak . The President : Not now . You can speak at a later ' moment . M . N . Buonaparte ( sharply ) : I
demand—Tho Pkesident : You must not thus interrupt . I call youlo order ! . M . ' S . Buonaparte : But , M . le President , when— , The President : I call you to order a second timo . ' ' , , . ' .. M . Tiiiehs : Although I never refuse , when inW tribune , to allow any man to make any observation in reference to what I say , yet to-day I shall depart from my usual custom ; for I am unwilling , to add to the affliction of tho Assembly by contributing to exhibit to'it a man who bears the illustrious nnmii of Nanoleon defending such opinions as he
professes ! ( Tremendousapplause . ) . ; M . N . ' BuoNAPAniE ( with great violence ) : I must insist on speaking . ( Interruption . ) ' , , The ' pRBSiDENi : I consult the Assembly as to whether M . 'N . ' Buonaparte ought ' not to be cen-Riirod r The Assembly , by an immense majority , decided thequosfiohintheafflrmative . , From the Mountain : Let us go away . ( Agita'A 'Considerable number of the members of the M , ountain then loft their places . . Laughter and applause arose on the Right . ' ' Some of the members whe ; had risen then hesitated ; and at last resumed places ; ;
On tho Right : Go , if you please , all of you ! ( Laughter . ) ... Some other members of the Mountain returned to their places in the , midst of laughter . M . N . Buonaparte ; appeared in the midst of a group , of them , gesticulating . violently . v . M . Bertholon descended into the seraipircle , and entered into an altercation tfith ft representative : new General Caangarnier ;
Trance. Thb Blect0ra1 Bilx. Oa Wednesday...
the general spoko . to himiwith ^ ariiination . A crowd gathered round the spot , arid the utmost confusion prevailed . \\ % ;*\ ) "l ^ l'X .. / 1 M ; N . 'BubKiviMnthen ' aiDproached tho tribune , ' and apparently asked M , ; : Thiers ";; to ! allow , him to speak .: ' That gentleman gave way ; descending the steps of the'tribune , whioE the other gentleman ascended / ' >' V' ">? ' ; " ^ " ;> ' i M . N . Buonaparte ' : I have been called to order ; and even censured ; I can , therefore , according to the regulations address to you an explanation . I was , I confess , carried away by a hasty movement , which I could not master , ' when I heard M . Thiers say that HVa ' s the people . ( Interruption . ) .
On the Right : No , no ; he said the multitude ! The President : M . N . Buonaparte has a right to give his explanation . You would , be just as culpable as he has been , if you should interrupt . him . ¦ ,.-.,. ' M . NrBTONAPARiB ; I " admit that I was carried away when" I heard M . Thiers affirm that it was the multitude who in 1815 , tied a cord to Napoleon ' s statue . So remarkable an historian as he is surely must , know that it was the Royalists who did ao ( Applause on the Left . ) . , ' ¦ MM . ' Favbbau , Leo de Laborde , and be Tinguv protested in the midst of the noise against the asser-¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ¦¦¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦
tion ; - ' '< >¦ ¦ ' " ¦ " > . Mi N ; Buonaparte : It was ; the friends of the Cossacks who tied a cord to the » great man ' s neck '; aridainan yiiom twill'hot mention , but who bears a ' g featriariie . ' ( Interruption ; cries on ' the ' Left of '' Nam ' s' 'htm' ! " Name him . ' . ' ) ; A man who bears a great name was , if I'am' not mistakeri , the first in committing that shameful act . ( Interruption . ) M . BBNOisr ^ DlAzr : Thb person who did so was named Maubreuil . ' ' 'M . N . Buonaparte : M . Thiershas thought proper to remark on my'political opinions '; I deny his
right to do so V . he was no more entitled to call on me to account for my opinions than ! have to interpellate the gentlemen on . the Right in a similar mariner . Biifi it'is because of the riame ' which I bear thatl'deferid the iritorests ' of the ' people . (' Oh , oh ! "'' Enough , ¦ ' enough ! ' ) ' '; And since 1815 has been referred to , I . do not hesitate to say that I prefer being ; on the side of the conquered of Waterloo rather than that of the conquerors .. ( Exclamations Ori the Right . " Applause on the Left . ) . A Voice : ' And your application for a peerage in 1847 ? ' •' - " ¦ '" ' ¦ " '
• The President went over the details of tho incident , and observed that the explanation which -had just , been given did not seem to him of such a nature as to call ' for the removal of the censure ordered by thS'Assembly . ^ He ' would again ; 'however , if any hon' : gentleman' desired it , consultthe Assembly on the point . !(' . Yes , yes , ' on the Left . ) The Assembly , being consulted ,, maintained the vote of censure by as great a majority as before . , M . Thiers : If I have corii ' mitted any impropriety iri speaking of M . ' Buonaparte ' s ' opinions , he was himself the original cause of my doing so by interruptrng me . ' I ( Hear ; hear . ) ' I am of opinion , notwithstanding all the calumnies uttered on the
subject , that m Franco there are no conquerors of ' Waterloo , '' that there are only the vanquished . ( Hear ; hear ;)'' flut , to goback to . the point at which I had arrived when I was interrupted , I have to remark that the-expression which I made use of was not people but multitude—the' vile multitude . France regards us , and she knows what is meant by these words' people arid multitude . It is not the people who set fire to palaces , who butcher men , who overturn ' 7 statues- ^ h , no , the people suffer from-these crimes of the multitude . It is the real people of the country districts who suffer and who labour . ( Applause . ) As to us , we desire to give them good laws —( ironical cheers , and laughter
on the Left )— and if public repose be troubled the fault will be with you , not with us . Franco will judge us all ; arid I repeat , that it is not the people whom we desire to exclude from voting , but the confused multitude of vagabonds who possess neither family nor home . ( Loud approbation . ) You tell us that the bill is a provocation ; if you had ' said a prevision you ' would have uttered the correct wordJ I ask you , ate there not places where ithasbeeri discussed whether war was to bo declared oh-society or not , and by what means that should be effected ? I ask you , if it has not been also' discussed whether to refuse taxes would not be preferable ? Is all that true ; or not ? Answer .
(• Hear , hear , ' agitation . ) Against these wellknown' facts , so afflicting to all good citizens , 'the government has taken its precautions . The army is ready to do its duty—its chiefs are energetic and devoted—all is ready if you do not persevere in a prudent course . Every preparation has been made . Iri that unfortunate society , whero the father sees the bread ; of his children torn from his hands beneath the threats of insurrection may be heard these painful " words— 'Since blood is to he shed it . is as well first as last . ' This expression , however , is not a provocation—it is a cry of despair / the cry of society at its last gasp . It is the strongest accusation against those who have thrown it into such an awfu > situation . ( Long continued cheering . ) ' : The Assembly rose in great agitation at half-past
seven . Saturday , Mat 25 . This day , the man whose election on the 10 th of March was one of the main motives of M . Thiers ' a virulent sallies against democracy , M . de Flotte , made a speech of great parliamentary talent ; its colour and logic strangely contrasted with the fiery vehemence , denouncement , and personality of the Conservatives . After a speech of M .. Leon Faucher and tho rejection of several amendments , the first article of the bill for the reform of the Electoral Law , was
adopted without a division . The following is the article : — . ' Art . 1 . Within the thirty days which follow the promulgation of the present law , the electoral list shall be made up by the mayor , assisted by two delegates nominated for each commune by theji ^ e de paix , and domiciled in the Canton . The -delegates shall have the right of recording their observations on the proces verbal . The proces verbal shall be deposited by the mayor with the electoral list at the office of the secretary of the-mayoralty , to be communicated to all who may require it . ' The discussion on Art . 2 was postponed till Monday .
' Monday , May 27 . In the sitting of the Legislative Assembly to-day ( he debate ori the Electoral Bill was re-opened upon the second article , which makes domiciliation in the canton for three consecutive years a condition of the franchise . M . Pierre Leroux Commenced upon this subject the speech which he had attempted to deliver on Saturday ; but was overwhelmed'by the clamours of the Right , who , at last , upon the proposition of the president , availed themselves of the regu . lation which permits the house to interdict a mem . berfrom speaking , who persists , 'after having been twice called to the question , in repealing thessame deviation from : the question . M . Dupont de Bussac
developed an amendment presented by himself arid several other members , which would substitute for the system of the committee the drawing up of a permanent list for three years , of all citizens ol twenty-one years of age who had resided for six months in the' same commune . M , Leon Faucher opposed this amendment , which , on being put fo the vote , was rejected by the Assembly . M . Come then proceeded to develop an amendment which he bad presented in ' concert , with General Cavaigpac , Ferdinand de Lasteyrie , and M . Coquerei , proposing that
the condition of domicile should he established by real habitation in the commune in which the obligation of drawing lots for the recruitment of the army and navy had been satisfied , this domicile to be transferable to every commune where thecitieen shall have fixed his principal establishment , piovided that he make , six months before the revision of the electoral list , the double declaration prescribed by Art . 104 of the Civil Code . This amendment having been opposed by M . Vatimesnil , was rejected by a considerable majority . M . Larabit proposed six months' domicile .
This and a series of other amendments were rejected , and t ^ e 2 nd article was voted as proposed by the . committee ' by a large majority . The voting was by assis et leve . As this is the most important article the bill may be considered as voted , It is said that MM . Beaumont and Vesin have withdrawn their amendment . Tuesday , May 28 . The debate was resumed on the Electoral Law , The discussion opened upon the ' third article , which relates to the modes of attesting the electoral domicile— namely ; by assessment for the personal tax , highway duly , or the certificate of master or employer . " Mi Raridot opposed the article , MM . Sain and Larabit moved amendments ,- which were rejecied . M . Moriuet proposed an amendment tending to admit all kinds of evidence calculated to
establish the existence of the principal residence , as required by Article ' 2 . Nothing can be a better sample of the unfair dealing of the majority than their refusal to discuss M * Monnet ' s amendment . M . Leon Faucher said that the committee opposed the amendment . M . Monnetisa member of the tiers-parti . His Itnendment drives only at facilitating the proof of three years' domiciliation . There can be only one motive for throwing out such a proposition , which is to keep in the bands of the masters arid parents of voters the control over the certificate of domicile which is given them by the bill , and to reduce the number of voters qualified as to domiciliation ^ by besetting with as many difficulties a 8 possible'the way of attesting the ' qualification . -M . Mohnetvbesought : the majority not to drive I from their side' members' like- himself ; who- supported their general policy ; by manifeatiDgau unconciliatory
Trance. Thb Blect0ra1 Bilx. Oa Wednesday...
and iDibera ] disposition . A voice from thcR ? v ^ plied that dpubtful . auxiliartes were not wani a 1 u GeneraLiVmoriciere inquired whether a porter of the committee would assign anv ! re < for rejecting the ' ameridmerit of Monriet ¦ fo ., eaa The committeemen , would give , no reason . " ^ Baroche said ¦ the amendment was similar to a * , which hadheen already rejected .. Gen . Laa 0 ° - " inferred that the amendment was rejected b Cle , J it was comprehensive . Much had been said f , 8 necessity of moralishu "the elector by maki ± * vote among his neighbours ... He and hht ¦ iqi accepted that object , but could not sce how * " ^ be impeded by admitting as many facuUie ! ^ sible for establishing the electoral' domicile i ? l ° " the object was ' to impose an obligation \ L T granting a right , the ' law was much more Z ^ * dating . ' Thus for the recruitment the in ? - ??* were made first on the declarations of yoj ^ vi i 0 aiso
...... , „ „ v ; um on information fiTJ-7 by al sort , of persons . But such li & fiS * rejected -in the present . instance . on W « J : M . Berryer replied . Finally ; M . MonneV . « ' ment having been p ut to the vote ZllS ?' large : majority . . The amendmen t prouS ! t * Combarel de Leyval , that the lists £ SH should serve for attesting the domicile , was 2 ^? without discussion . The first paraBraDh «» ic tCl 1 was then voted by a large msjoSy ? 0 n Af { ' 3 . Design of the Conspirators Tho «« . »• pondent of the' Daily News , ' writinir i V ?* says-The eventuality of th «^ Rlsto afion i * mmd , begins to gather a more deflnito 11 P blc e
real bulk . It is Lwo tn ZL ? Jl" * Pe « nd real bu k . It is known to most of your readers bS or the last two years negotiations have been aS ! f g n ) ? u Vi 6 W t 0 the reconcilement tS branches of the Bourbons which have hi- V ? herited from the throne of ? ance ! t S , T ' stood that these mm ^ U ^ iSt transachon according to which the Comt ^ Ta P 2 would be adopted by the presumptive H „ ri V ? SX ^ raSo HSi sity of an alliance be the ?
. ween Ortaanhh 2 ¦ mists , When the critical momentSm So ? i «^ the Republic , during the £ f days 5 talSf are demanded for tie executio 7 of fhe IS Virtually the united Bourbons are alresu / mS of the situation . Thewielderof-the army , £ gamier , is reported from good sourcesto be or both h ? nChe -i , UnSr the * already mentioned ; and has possibly his commission , as marshal and cm mander-m-c ief , under the restored monacS already m his pocket v The wielder of the 2 Carlier , 18 supposed to be deveted to the house of •^• p - ? 'y ° ' ffm 8 ay . » * o ^ dou w , th thcPrea . dent ? If any attempt has been mad p treat with bim for abdication , End a future 2 Jon , an attempt , which could scarcely present many difficulties at a court where the most ardent Legiij
mists-are coming continually into contact . ' with the head of the state , it has no doubt been undertaken withadue ^ knowled ge of that singular blindness with regard to the state of public - opinion which still characterises Louis Napoleon as strongly « when he braved the penalties of desperate enter prises . Everybody knows that at this moment the Napoleonist party in France is reduced to a mere shadow . Yet Louis Napoleon confides so rashly in . the magic of bis name , as to believe that , were he to submit the question of his re-election to France to-rabrrbw , he would be returned , by nearly the same overwhelming majority as" before ; The most dei .
terous negotiator could hardly affront positively such a belief with the most splendid offers of wealth and position as a private-subject . If is supposed , how . ever , that the matter has been fitiowti to Mm at half lights , and that hints have been thrown out that ht might do worse than accept the princely post of Constable of France , ' with ; the appanage of Ram . bouillet and a million of francspension . In fact , I understand from a good source ; that if the Prince-President does not within a certain period close with the offers of the dynastic coalition , means will be taken to put him in ' a position which would
prove equally ruinous to him in his public or private capacity . The ' Presse'is being printed by a fresh printer , the old printer having apparently feared the responsibility . M . Girardin is cited before the tribunals for clandestine printing . , , - ( Continued to the seventh page . )
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f ) N THE PEEVENTION , CURE , AM \ J General character of SYPHILT / S , STRICTURES , Affections of the PJIOSTRATE 61 AND , YEHEREAL aU SCORBUTIC EUDPTIONS of the face and body , Mercurial excitement , && , followed by a mild , successful and expedi . tious mode of treatment . Thirty-first edition , Illustrated by Twenty-Six Anatomical Engravings on Steel rN « ¥ r and improved Edition , enlarged to 196 pages . just published , prici 2 s . 6 d ¦ or by post , direct from th « Establishment , 3 s . 6 d .. in postage stamps . "THE SlhENT FRIEND , " a Medical Work on Veneral and SypluUtic Diseases , Secondary Spmptoms , Gonorrhips . tic , wiflja'PRESOBIPTIOiTPOR HIBZR PREFEXTOi '; physical exhaustion , and decay of the frame , from the efterti of solitary indulgence and . the injurious consequences of the abuse of Mercury ; with Observations on the obligation !
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 1, 1850, page 2, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_01061850/page/2/
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