18 MARCH 1848, Page 11

POSTSCRIPT.

SATURDAY.

The Provisional Government at Paris has issued its promised manifesto; evidently from the pen of M. Lamartine. Though eloquently vague in style, in spirit it is calculated to reassure the timid and encourage a peace- ful spirit. We extract a considerable portion. The document is addressed to the electors generally; for whose guidance the writer holds up the ex- ample of the Parisians—

"The people have repressed anarchy from the commencement.. The people themselves broke to pieces the weapons of their just auger. They burned the scaffold. They proclaimed the abolition of the penalty of death against their enemies. They respected individual liberty, by proscribing no person. They respected the liberty of religious conscience, which wishes to be free, without in- equality and without privilege. They respected property. They have, in a word, made the name of the people synonymous with courage, clemency, and virtue.

" We have but one word of instruction to give you. Be inspired by and imitate the people! Think, feel, vote, and act like them." The Provisional Government will not " enter the slough of Royalty," and imitate usurping governments by corrupting the electors. One of its duties will be "to shed upon electoral opera- tions that light which enlightens consciences without forcing. them. It confines itself to neutralizing the hostile influence of the late Administration, which has perverted and changed the nature of elections." It does not disturb itself with respect to ancient parties; which have lived a century in three days. " Necessity is a great master. Reflection is on our side." "Everybody will be Republican through conviction."

" Secure to others the independence of suffrage which you wish for yourselves. Regard not the name which those you consider your enemies write upon their bal- lot; and be assured beforehand that they will write the only name which can save them, that is, that of a republic, capable and honest."

"France is attempting at this moment, amidst financial difficulties bequeathed by Royalty, but under providential auspices, the greatest work of modern times --the foundation of the government of the entire people, the organization of de- mocracy, the republic of all rights, all interests, all faculties, and all virtues. " Circumstances arepropitiocui. Peace is practicable. The new order of things mayassume its place in Europe without any other perturbation than that of the prejudices existing against it. There is no anger in the soul of the people. If fugitive Royalty has not carried with it all the enemies of the Republic, it has left them impotent; and, although they be invested with all the rights which the Re- public guarantees to minorities, their interest and their prudence assure us that they will not oppose the peaceable foundation of the popular constitution. " Let us not lose an opportunity unique in history A few days more of magnanimity, devotedness, and patience, and the National Assembly shall receive infant nfant Republic from our hands. From that day all shall be secure ! When the nation shall have grasped the Republic with the hands of its representatives, thellepubfic will be strong and great like the nation, holy like the idea of the people,-imperishable like the country."

- The document bears the signature of all the members of the Govern- ment.

On Thursday, the National Guards, to the number of fifty or sixty thousand, appeared at the Hotel de Ville en masse, but not "aver les sabres " as promised. The people assembled in multitudes, hissed them, and saluted the companies d'dlite with cries of " Egalite!" "A bits lee aris- tocrats!" The Government replied with unexpected spirit. They regretted that their measures " should have caused manifestations inconsistent with public order": they would resist counsels taking the form of menace or force: and they refused the requests of the Guards.

Yesterday, Paris was in great agitation. Placards posted in the morning called a great meeting on the Place de la Concorde, to go to the Hotel de Ville and strengthen the hands of the Government against reactionary movement. The demarche of the National Guards had put it in bad odour with the workmen, and there were fears of collision. The Com- mandant of the Guard rebuked the demonstrators of Thursday in %general order, and exhorted the whole body to fraternity with the workmen. The Guards of the neighbourhood ot Paris were drawing in upon the capital, to the assistance of their comrades.

The first number of a new journal, L'Ordre, Journal des Gardea Na- tional, appeared on Thursday.

Later accounts, received at noon today, describe the popular meeting, which numbered 50,000 " fighting men." The men went in procession to the Hotel de Ville, and were received and addressed by members of the Government,—who refused to appear to the National Guards on Thurs- day. There was much excitement; a great show of organization, and per- fect order. The prevalent cries were, " Viva Ledrit Rollin! Vive Flocon!" few were raised for Louis Blanc, and none for De Lamartine.