No. XI.
THE WAY TO SAVE FRAN(I..! Olt TIIE DOCTRINAI11.115' LAW FOR DESTR31IN6 THE BASIS OF ALL SOCIETY, i. e. ASSOCIATE IN.
" La lui cute, Mardi par la Cliambre des Deputes oloit sauver le pays um 1.- venire.
Applique:. ;IVee rrs.,%i•111114.e, aver emrgie, sans concessions, stun fausse !Haat., units Elthlde l'aStlICe des oulragee par Icor outface, ahatn!onnee par les otivoirs publics, livers on mepris pies mortel que la liable, cette lui nuns pord."— Journa: des &bats.
TO THE EDITOR OF TIIE SPECTATOR.
Paris, April 1834. Sin—The Debuts tells us, that the "Associations Destruction Late," if applied with energy and without shame, will save us ! but if not applied with energy and more than mortal vigour, it will lose us! Then, 1 thiuk, we shall all be lost ! But let me tell you what the De/nits means; for we live in times when the fewer secrets we have the better. The Debuts means, that if AI. Rs UTILE, the Alinister of Justice, aided by hisfithrs Achates M. Parism, shall lost arrest and send to prison, then try before the Judge of the Correctional Palice, and fine and banish to Alount St. Michel or the State gaol of Blase, such men as LAFAYETTE, LA EITTE, GUILLEMOT, CARREL, DE Lreitu, GAR-. NIER. FACES, Dr: Coneuhr.irs, D'AlinsaisoN, and MARRAST, why thell WE SHALL RE SAVED! But if the Doctrinaires shall content themselves with at- tackingjowly:Tit:en weavers, apprentice boys, and the wotking classes, who are nearly all engaged in some sort oh associations, either political or social, why THEN WE SHALL liE LOST! There was a time when Mr. PITT was called the " Saviour of Britain, the Heaven. born Minister, and the Pilot who weathered the Storm !" No one now talks such nonsense, except sundry Merchant Tailors in a certain obscure corner of the earth called Thread- needle Street. There will come a time also, when this "FRENCH SAVING LAW " will be called by its right name, '• THE FRENCH MONARCHY THROWING LAW." Till then, let us hope that M. BARTIIE and Al. Paasir. will follow the advice of the Debuts, and save us in spite of ourselves. Lions, are set aside to meet any particular cry, or Isilim, or caprice of any parti • this will kid will be not only political, but soil.% I.. cu!ar party, or minister, or Le ite, the people will cease to have any con& But this law which is to "s %V I: us" will be nEsisren ! l'es, resisted ! deuce in the institatilins of their country—will cease to have any rallying word That WIll'il "desistance' is a to rible word for the Doctrinaires ; but it has been in the hour of danger—will cease to have patriotism—and will even become pronounced in the Chamber of Deputies as out of it—in Paris as in the Depart- indifferent to liberty. And there is ;mother reason why I would have endeavoured, netts—by Deputies and Electors—by Constitutionalists as by Republicans—by by every possible means, to have shortened the duration of the law, and made it the Society " Aide toi et It cid t'aidera " as by the " Society of the Rights of a law of exception,—and that is, because the people should not be accustomed i ,..an." Young and old, dell and poor, the General LAFAYETTE and the jour- to consider a state of perpetual excitement, perpetual resistance, perpetual neyman mason, the cold and reasoning writers in the Joara-r/ dm Crounirree and conspiracy, and perpetual insurrection or revolution, as either a natural or Messayer as the bold and daring writers in the Nittionat ■11111 the Tribune, all a healthy state. Great efforts should be reserved for great occasions; and have pledged themselves " to resist" this bill ; A NO rr w mt. BE RESISTED. it should never be forgotten by the friends of liberty, that the boy who The existing societies will not be dissolved. New societies are daily to • g. perpetually called ")Wolf! wolf !" when there was none approaching him, The " UNION or JULY" has taken the lead. To-day—even at this hour— was at last devoured by the very animal which he had falsely announced before. Deputies meet at LA KavrTrE's to form a new association, to defend the pin- )! say this, because though in many cases revolution or animal resistance is a ciple of association from all attacks. Moderate men have come t■irward to aid sacred duty, yet perpetual insurrection is eternal slavery and torment. Although, this great, this enlightened undertaking : differences of opinion, even as to form then, I would offer my tribute of admiration to those Deputies who boldly and of Government, are for the time put aside, in order to save the great pi inciple uncompromisingly resisted the progress of the desolating measure we arc dis- of association from attack : and those who still believe in the possibility of cussing, I must at the same time deplore that the Opposition AVaS not better or-. estabiisiliag. a limited Monarchy and Republican institutions, join hand in hand ganized, and that the stamp of " exception " and " temporary" seas not printed with those who are decided Iillpitsdiislit:iautttsa, expressly to save the common principle on the bill; because I am fully persuaded, nay certain, that if all those who of association from de question of party, but of civilization ; disapproved of every word of the bill, had voted by ballot with those who dis- and the words of LAURENCE and PAGES have become the rallying-cry of tens approved secretly of the bill being permanent, but yet dared not openly t,) vote of thousands of patriots. We are not then lost; but the Doctrinaires will for the amendment shortening its duration, that amendment by ballot would be, for France says with L A ll IC E NI*1.1, have been carried. .. Pere are certain laws whieb one is bound to howur oneself by disobeying." But, perhaps, you may be inclined to ask--" What did the people say to the And with PAGES (of Arriege),
bill whilst it was under discussion ? Did the people petition, and that univer- " I swear to disobey your law, in order to obey Ow dictates of my conscience." sally ; and were those petitions presented, read, and explained to the House by the Representatives?" This begins another act of the tragedy. We know befutehand how it will ir As I have perceived of latein sonic daily English papers, and especially in the 0. P. Q.
Globe, divers proofs of ignorance as to the feelings of the French people, and PosTst:ftirrLJu. as to their rights and privileges, you lutist suffer me to set right these " public PARIS, Thursday 3I/ April. instructors." The people are extremely indignant as to this proposed law ; but The yachts becomes daily more intolerable. The eldels of the Doctrinaires that indignation cannot be manifested in France as it is in England. In Great have been defeated in their gambling transactions, by the rejection of the law Britain, the people meet at parish-churches, in town-halls, at guild-halls, at proposed for ratifying the treaty entered into between Loy is PrilLIP and Pre- taverns, at county meetings, and even, as at Birmingham, in immense assent- sident JACKSON. These Royal and other chiefs had hoped to profit by the blies, and discuss, come to resolutions, agree upon petitions, order their Repre- arrangements proposed, and to divide 11 millions of franca amongst them. The sentatives to present those petitions; and when they are so presented, they are Chamber of Deputies—or rather 17ii Members—have put the extinguisher on read or discussed, printed, circulated, and considered, before the bill in question their hopes; and those who bought American merchant claims on France at is decided on and adopted. Now there is nothing of this in France .! The 10 per cent, hoping to receive cent per cent, are now the sole lasers. Spain 20Ist article of the Penal Code prohibits more than twenty persons from meet- should pay America, and not France. Bsitriven has proved this even to the ing together without the previous consent of the Government. All meetings satisfaction of the blockheads of the Juste 31ilieu. held in opposition to this article are illegal, and may be dispersed by the local BROGLIE has resigned. Good ! SEBASTIAN' has resigned. Goal! Gu 'tor authorities. Even the Revolution of 1 830 did not expunge this despotic clause is said to " hesitate !"—Guizot hesitate ! at what ?—" Why, as to whether from the Penal Code; and now it is proposed by this " Associations Gagging he shall remain." No, he does not indeed. He must be kicked out before he Bill " to extend the clause even to two persons : so that no to individuals can will budge. Mole, St. Aulaire, Bassani, De Rigny, Guillemiuot, and I know meet together to oppose or even to support or discuss any measure whatever not who besides, are spoken of as DE BROGLIE'S successors. " Where the without the approbation of the agents of the Government. The PETITIONS, carrion is, there will the births of prey be sure to assemble." But which therefore, which are prepared and presented in France, are generally the work will prevail, the English or the Russian influence, in the nomination ? I think of one or two individuals; and when signed by any number, the petitions are the latter—and that in spite of Lord DURHAM.
carried about front house to house, and the local authorities do all they can to O. P. Q.
. In the Spectator of' last week, I perceive you announced the fret of tile :Mop- throw impediments in the way of prorating signatures. In like flmar, when Lion, by the majority of the Deputies, of this " Assoc.iations Gagging Bill." The these petitions are sent up for presentation, the Members to whom they are measure was passed by a majority of very nearly one hundred vutea. All the intrusted are, by the standing order of the Chamber, prevented from doing more stray Deputies were ordered up by the telegraph. Those who were in °dice, than deposing them in perfect silence ; and the petitious are all examined by though removed many a lung league from the Chamber, and though iguoraut as a Committee, named each month, called "'the Petition Commission ;" svho whipping-posts of the arguments for or against the bill in question, all made once a week, on the Saturday, wake a report on a certain number of petitions, their appearance in due time to drop into the urn their white balls—and then taking all in their order of date as deposed; and recommending as to each peti- disappear ; having first received the nod of approbation from D'Aucour, thin, either the " order of the day," or " reference to the Government," or to TIMERS, or Guiltier. The law will cost the Government very dearly ; for the Commission appointed to examine any particular proposed law to which many a promise was made, which must be fulfilled—many a loan or gift assured, the petition may refer. Thus, Mlle out of ten of the petitions sent up to the which must be presented—and many an engagement eutered into with these Chamber are never heard of ; for, in ordivary sessions, there are not more than Representatives of the People ! which must be adhered to to the very letter. twenty-six Saturdays—not more than twenty petitious teported each Saturday; Uncles, cousins, fathers, brethren, sous, and even friends—all came in for their and thus, not more than five hundred petitionspier : lllll um from thirty-three ntd- share of the " loaves and fishes ;" and even the Civil List, never inclined to ex- lions of people are ever so much as heard of. Now this is a state of things travaganee, was compelled to open its purse-strings, for, eoute qui (mite, the which in England would not be tolerated. And yet, when the French talk of
law must be passed ! rising against all these iniquities, there are numbers of persons to be bind is
During the discussions in the Chamber of Deputies, all attempts to introduce Great Britain who accuse the French of " love of insurrection," of " ver. any modifying clauses were rendered abortive, by the well-paid, well-pensioned, satility," and of being unfavourable to " settled and constitutional Do- well-placed, or well-promised majority. They had received their "pass-word" vernments." Such charges arc false and injurious; and are made only by to office, honour, and riches, from the Minister of the Interior. That " pass- those who are ignorant of the state of mock-liberty and mock-independence word" was " the law, the whole law, and nothing but the law ;" and Deputies and muck-constitutionality to which the French have hitherto been obliged to who admitted in private that they wished most sincerely that the majority submit. would at any rate render the operation of the law temporary, by a clause to that But at length the bill has been passed by the Deputies ; is under the con- efliwt inserted at the end of bill, yet did not dare to rise in the Chamber and vote sideration of the Peers—will be voted by acclamation ; will receive the ROYAL for that amendment. " No cure, no pay," were the conditions of the 4.4111traet ASSENT ; and then, it is to SAVE US ! But will it really save us?---From made by the Minister with his majority ; and if that majority had passed a single what ? from revolutim?—No ! From Republicanism ?—No! From the cow- -word of amendment not sanctioned openly by the Doctrinaires, all the promises !dilations of wise and good men to obtain larger and more ample securities than made of " advancement," " promotion," " peerage," " honours," and " wealth," we yet pwssess for private and individual liberties ?—Nu ! Will it save us from were to stand for naught. I know, (rimy own knowledge, Deputies, Who in my enormous taxes, monopolies, sinecures, arbitrary arrests, insolent and ittithuuded presence argued in private salons, and at private dinner-tables, in favour of the prosecutiona, destitutious of patriots, whether in the army, navy, or civil ser- clause w h ich was proposed for making the principle of the law IIIVI ely temporary, vice ?— No! Will it save us from an enormous Civil List ; from foreign Mu- ndt() yet afterwardsstood up in the Chamber and voted against that amendment. owes ; from Holy Alliance dictation ; from a had c lllll mercial code; from scanda- " The love of money is the root of all evil." Ions custom-laws ; or from projects of detached forts round Paris and Lyons, It must be deplored by all who have followed with attention these most me- float which the people may be attacked from without, if in those cities they morable debates, that the Opposition Members were not sufficiently united and shall dare to revolt !—No ! Will it save us (ruin the growing and returning in- prepared on all the amendments which were proposed. I eau cite one instance fiuenee of the priesthood ; from the arbitrary vexations of local magistrates of great importance. The clause to which I have already referred, viz. that appointed by the Crown ; front false interpretations of laws, ordinances, and de- limiting the operation of the bill to a certain number of sessions, was rejected by crees, made under different forms of Government, all brought to bear against not more than a majority of from 15 to -25. Why did not twenty Deputies, liberties both civil and religious, in the days in which we live; and from the according to the standing order of the House, demand a scrutiny, i. e. a ballot stupid orders of such men as the stupid GIsgE ET, W110 actually directed lately on this amendment ? Many cowardly, interested, selfish men, whose love of all the theatres to close at eleven in the evening ?—No ! )Pill this law save us lucre and pro lllll tion overcame their sense of justice, and rose and voted against from the absolute necessity of making another revolution ; one which shall not that limitation clause, would have deposed a white ball in favour of it, as only be made by the people, lint carried on by them in their own names and that white ball would nut have been seen ; whereas they would not persons, and for their own benefit?—indeed it will not. Then from what will rise in face of the House and declare themselves in favour of the amend- this law save us, it it be carried into effect as the Debuts demands, r. c. " with went, for fear of losing their offices or the patronage and promises of perseverance, with energy, without concessions, and without false shame? "- the Minister. In the British House of Commons, such a monstrous I will tell you from what it will save us—and mark my words ! bill as that now adopted by the Deputies would have been delayed months in its If this law shall be carried into operation, as the Delmts demands, it will-1st, progress through the House, by a compaet and resolute minority ; and notwitli- Save the patriots of France the trouble of asking, much less of debating, whe- standing it must be conceded that the statelitig orders of the Chamber of Depu- thee it be possible to arrange with a monarchy and monarchical men ill this ties are much less favourable to the rights of the minority than thore of the Ilri- country. 211, It will save France from the chance of success of any scheme or tish House of Commons, yet tweety members of the Opposition in the French plan fin. establishing Repnblican institutions with an Ileteditary Monarchy-. 1 Iambi r, acting together, could have delayed the bill a long time, excited the :1rd, It will save the patriots the trouble of exhorting the people to choose a people in the provinces, and, by donamiing the ballot er scrutiny on each close, Republic as the only form of liberal government which is permanently and each division of each clause, could have defeated for a long p:mittil the exe- possible in France. 4th, It will save a great deal of time which would elution of this horrible measure. I am aware, that on this question sutra (lit- perhaps otherwise be lost in attempts to get to the end of the Revolution by krence of opinion exists evea :thong:4 the real friends of trite liberty. Some changes of :Ministry and of systems of government—without coming to maintain, that the worse the lase is, the more arbitrary, the more grossly anti- the basis of all, viz. a change of the form of government. inh. It will save social, and anti-con4itutional, the better ; and that there will be much less the lives of a vast many patriots, who otherwise, it the t ioceroutent marched I liner of its behig carried into effeet. I cannot. however, adopt the opinions less openly towards despotism, might be engaged in useless struggles with." the of these patriotic writers and speakers; and I will tell them why. The people powers that be," tunic at last to arrive at the point Imo which tow, on the
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terminate. Your obedient servant,
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