THE LAST MEETING OF THE CHABMER OF DEPUTIES UNDER THE ORLEANS DYNASTY.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 311, 22 July 1848, Page 2

THE LAST MEETING OF THE CHABMER OF DEPUTIES UNDER THE ORLEANS DYNASTY.

We subjoin a full account of one of the most memorable scenes of that event which has made the astonished nations of Europe "start from their propriety." On Thursday, February 24; the Chamber of Deputies reassembled. About 300 deputies were present from the commencement of the sitting, but nothing was done for some time. M. C. Lafitte." — Gentlemen, I address nyfself to all parties in this chamber, particularly to the members of the extremities, praying them to keep dow n all angry passions (hear, hear.) Looking at the circumstances in which we are now placed, I propose to the chamber to declare itself in permanence (loud cries of "yes, yes.") M. Dutier. — I demand to have the proposition postponed, and that the chamber simply declares itself sitting, with the faculty of afterwards adopting such measures as may deem advisable (yes, yes.) M. De Cambaceres. — I propose that the chamber shall remain in permanence until the end of the crisis (yes, yes.) The President. — There cannot be any other question of permanence than this — the chamber has opened its sitting, and will remain so as long as no motion be made to adjourn it (hear, hear.) About half-past one it was rumoured about that the Duchess of Orleans and the two young Princes, her sons, were about to arrive. Shortly after, a movement was .apparent in the passage on the left of the chamber, and the Duchess and her two sons entered, followed by the Duke de Nemours and the Duke de Montpensier. The Count de Paris entered first of all, a person holding him by the hand. With difficulty he penetrated as Jar as the semicircle in front of the President's chair, so encumbered was it with the Deputies and National Guards. His presence, and that of the rest' of the Royal party, created a great sensation. The Duchess seated herself in an armchair, with her sons at each side of her. Almost immediately after, the passages to th 3 various parts of the chamber were filled with an immense body of the people and National Guards, both' armed. Cries of " You cannot enter !" " You have no right to enter !" were then heard ; but the next moment a number of men belonging to the people forced their way into the chamber, and placed themselves right under the tribune. The Duchess of Orleans then rose, and taking the young Princes by the hand, led them to the range of seats forming the pourtour behind the Deputies, and still exactly in front of the President.' The Duke de Nemours and the Duke de Montpensier placed themselves in the last line of seals, immediately behind the Princess and her sons. The greatest agitation prevailed in every ] art of the chamber ; and it was a moment after increased by the public tribunes being rushed into by another body of the people. M. Dupin then ascended the tribune, and, amidst deep silence, said — In the present situation of the capital, and the critical circumstances in which the country is placed, ,the chamber was bound to assemble immediately. The King had just abdicated (sensation.) He has disposed of the crown in favour of his grandson, the Count de Paris, and has constituted the Duchess of Orleans Regent (applause from all the benches of the centre, and from some of the public tribunes,, and wkh loud disapprobation on the left.) A voice from one of the Tribunes. — It is too late ! An agitation, impossible to describe, here arose. A number of deputies collected round the Duchess of Orleans and the rest of the Royal group. National Guards, without ceremony, came and mingled with the Deputies who had done so, M. Marie ascended the tribune, but was obliged to remain there a length of tim| without being able, to obtain a hearing. Atslast, silence being restpred,, he said : — Gentlemen, in the situation in which Paris now is, it is both necessary and urgent for us to adopt some measure which may have some authority with the population. Since this morning the evil has made immense progress (hear, hear.) What course will you take ? Just now, the Duchess of Orleans was announced as Regent ; but a L w exists which gives the Regency to the Duke de Nemours, and you cannot at the present moment pass a law to revoke it. What must be done is to nominate a provisional government (loud cries from the left of " hear, hear") — not to give institutions, but to consult with the two chambers, on the necessity of satisfying the wishes of the country. M. Cremieux. — In f ;he interest of the public safety a great measure is necessary. ( It is important that every one should be of the same

mind to proclaim a great principle, and to ensure to the victorious people serious guarantees; Let us not do as in 1830, since il has been found' necessary to' commence again in 1848 what was then done (applause.) We cannot at the present moment do more than establish a provisional government (cries of " no, no"). I have the greatest respect for the Duchess of Orleans (cries of " bravo', bravo"), and I just now conducted the Royal family to the carriage that bore them away. A voice. — Bon voyage! (murmurs). M. Cremieux. — The population of Paris has shown the greatest respect for the King's misfortune ; but we who have been sent here to enact the laws cannct violate them. A law already voted disposes of the regency, and I cannot admit that it can be abrogated at this moment. Since we have come to the point of undergoing a revolution, let us confide ourselves to the country. I propose a provisional government of five members (numerous voices in the tribunes, " yes, yes"). " The Abbe de Genoude ascended the tribune and was about to address the chamber, when M. O. Barrot entered. Numerous voices. — O. Barrot to the tribune ! Let 0. Barrot speak ! The Abbe de Genoude. — You cannot effect anything without the co-operation of the people. You tried it in 1830, and you see what has come to pass. M. O. Barrot. — Never have we had need of more coolness and patriotism. May we be all united in one sentiment, that of saving our country from the most dreadful of visitations, a civil war (applause). Nations, lam aware, do not die, but they become weak from intestine dissensions, and France never had more need than now of all her foree — of the aid of all her children. Our duty is clearly traced out — it- calls on us to unite ourselves to what is most generous in the heart of the nation. The crown of July rests on the head of a child and a woman (loud marks of assent from the greatest part of the chamber, great disapprobation from the, public tribunes.) It is a solemn appeal. The Duchess of Orleans here rose and pronounced some words which we could not catch. The persons near her appeared to recommend her to sit down. M. O. Barrot. — It is in the name of the political liberty existing in our country, of the necessities of order which have occurred to every one's mind, of the union and accord which ought to reign amongst all good citizens, that I call on all my colleagues to support this double representation of the revolution of July (renewed assent and disapprobation as before). I would give my life a thousand times to insure the triumph of the cause of liberty in my country. The Marquis de Larochejaquelin. — You do not know what you are doing ! M. O. Barrot. — Can il be that any one can imagine that what was decided by the revolution of July can be again called into question? (great agitation). Gentlemen, the work, I allow, is difficult ; but there are such elements of generosity, greatness, and good sense in this country, that it suffices to appeal to them to induce the whole population to rally round the standard I display 'murmurs in the tribunes). Our duty is simple ; it is traced out by the laws and by honour. If we do not fulfil it with firmness, I cannot say what the consequences will be, but be certain of this, that whoever should dare to incur the responsibility of a civil war, would be in the highest degree culpable towards his country (hear, hear). For my part, what I conceive to be moat fitting for the situation is this — the Regency of the Duchess of Orleans ; a ministry chosen from the most tried opinions ; and an appeal to the country, which will pronounce with full liberty, in an extent sanctioned by law. Such is my opinion, and I cannot consent to assume the responsibility of any other situation (agitation). The Marquis de Larochejaquelin. — Gentlemen, I feel the most profound respect for what there is painful in the position of certain persons. I am, perhaps, more than another, called on to defend- here the people and liberty. But I rousi reply to M. O. Barrot that I cannot have here the intention of upholding a particular opinion, that bon. gentlemen has. not comprehended the sen iment which animates me. Gentlemen, here you are nothing Loud cries from all sides of " Order, order." The President. — M. de Larochejaquelin, you are sinning against the respect due to the chamber ; I call you to order. The Marquis de Larochejaquelin. — When I affirm that you are nothing, 1 do not mean to say that the chamber is annulled. A person, not belonging to the chamber, M. Chevallier, editor of the Bibliothique Historique, here ascended the tribune (great confusion). M. Chevallier. — I shall speak with the greatest moderation (" You have no right to be there !") Beware of proclaiming the Count do Paris without being authorised to do so ;

but if the Duchess of Orleans and the young Cdunt have sufficient courage to go along the Boulevards, in the midst of the people and the National Guards, I answer for their safety. If the people will not consent to confer on him the crown Voices in the crowd — Vive la Republiqnef M. Chevallier. — What you have now to do is to give us a government, and to give it at once ; you cannot leave a whole population without magistrates, without directing heads. (The noise prevented the voice of the speaker from being heard.) At this moment a vast crowd broke into the Chamber. They were dressed in the most heterogeneous manner ; some in blouses with dragoons' helmets on their heads ; others with cross-belts and infantry caps ! others again in ordinary clothes, but all with arms — swords, lances, spears, muskets, and tri-coloured flags. These persons at once seized on such deputies' seats as were unoccupied ; several even ascended ,the tribune, and fixed themselves there. The President perceiving what had occurred, and in order to mark his disapprobation, as well as perhaps to signify that the silting could not go on under such circumstances, put on his hat. This created a dreadful uproar, and numerous cries " Off with jour hat, President !" were heard from the new comers. Several of them even directed their muskets at him. The scene was one of almost unimaginable violence. M. Ledru Rollin, from his place, overpowering the tumult with his voice, said, " Gentlemen, in the name of the people, I call for silence !" A number of the Deputies, appearing to consider their position perilous, began to withdraw, and as they abandoned their places, the crowd look possession of them. The tumult was tremendous, and many Deputies looked with anxiety towards the Duchess of Orleans and her children. She, however, sat calm amidst the uproar. M. Ledru Rollin, after some time, succeeded in making himself heard. In the name of the people, said the hon. Deputy, I protest against the kind of governn ent which has just been proposed to you (immense applause ; cries of " bravo, bravo !" from the new comers and their comrades in the public tribunes. The shouts were deafening.) This is not the first time that I have thus protested. Already, in 1842, I demanded the constitution of 1791 (cheers.) That constitution declared that it should be necessary to make an appeal to the people, when a regency bill was to be passed (the loudest applause.) I protest therefore against the government that it is attempted to establish — I do so in the name of the citizens whom I see before me — who for the last two days have been fighting, and who will, if i.ecessary, again combat this evening. (From every side cries of " Yes, yes," cheers, with brandishing of arms, and in some cases raising of muskets to the shoulder : indescribable tumult.) I demand in the name of the people that a provisional government be named (great applause.) M. de Lamartine. — Gentlemen, I shared in the sentiments of grief which just now agitated this assembly in beholding the most afflicting spectacle that human annals can present — that of a Princess coming forward with her innocent son, after having quitted her deserted palace, to place herself under the protection of the nation. But if I shared in that testimony of respect for a great misfortune, I also share in the solicitude — in the admiration which that people, now fighting during two days a perfidious government for the purpose of re-establishing order and liberty, ought to inspire (great applause lrom the tribunes.) Let us not deceive ourselves — let us, not imagine that an acclamation in this chamber can replace the co-operation of 35,000,000 of men. Whatever government be established in the country it must be cemented by solid definitive^ guarantees ! How will you find the conditions necesary for such a government in the midst of the floating elements which surround us ? By descending into the very depth of the country itself, boldly sounding the great mystery of the right of nations (great applause in the tribunes.) In place of having recourse to these subterfuges, to these emotions, in order to maintain one of those fictions which have no stability, I propose to you to form a government, not definite, but provisional — a government charged first of all with the task of stanching the blood which flows, of putting a stop to civil war (cheers) — a government which we appoint without putting aside anything of our resentments and of our indignation ; and in the next place a government on which we shall impose the duty of convoking and consulting the people in its totality — all that possess in their title of man the right of a citizen (tremendous applause from the people in the'tnbunes.) At this moment a violent and imperative knocking was heard at the door of an upper tribune,_which was not entirely filled. On the door being opened, a number of men rushed in, well provided with arms, and who appeared to have just come from a combat. Several of

.them forced their way to the front seats, and pointed their muskets at the Deputies below. Some of these weapons were also turned in the direction of the Royal party. Immediately the persons near the Duchess of Orleans seemed to address her energetically, and a moment after she rose, and, with her ,sons and the two Princes, quitted the chamber by a door on the extreme left. M. Sauzet at the same moment withdrew from the President's chair, and nearly all the Deputies who remained quitted their places. The noise and disorder at this moment were at the greatest height. M. Ledru Rollm, in the midst of the noise. — A provisional government cannot be organized in a light and careless manner. I shall read over the names aloud, and you will approve of them, or reject them, as you think fit. In the midst of shouts and cries, the hon. Deputy read out the names, but nothing could be heard. Nearly all the Deputies had by this time departed, and the National Guards and the people had the chamber to themselves. Shortly after, silence being somewhat restored, M. Ledru Rollin said — According as I read out the names, you will say v yes" or "no," just as they please you, and, in order to act officially, I call on the reporters of the public press to note down the names and the manner in which they are received, that France may know what has been done here (the hon. Deputy then read out the names of M.M. Dupont (de l'Eure,) Arago, de Lamartine, Ledru Rollin, Gamier Pages, Marie, and Cremienx; all of which were received with acclamations.) Cries of "To the Hotel de Ville!" here arose, followed by a cry of " No civil list,,' and another of " No King!" Some one having directed the attention of the crowd to the picture of Louis Philippe swearing obedience to the charter, cries of " Tear it down !" arose. A workman, armed with a double-barrelled fowling-piece, who was standing in the semicircle, cried out, " Just wait until I have a shot at Louis Philippe !" and at the same moment both barrels were discharged. Great confusion ensued, in the midst of which two men jumped on the chairs behind the president's seat, and prepared to cut the picture to pieces with their sabres. Another workman ran up the steps of the tribune, and exclaimed, "Respect public monuments ! respect property ! Why destroy the pictures with balls? We have shown that the people will not allow itself to be ill-gover-ned ; let us now show that it knows how to conduct itself properly after its victory! (Great applause.) The next instant M. Dupont (de l'Eure) took possession of the chair. M. de Lamartine and Ledru Rollin attempted successively to obtain a hearing, but unsuccessfully. Several of the National Guards, and some of the people also made similar attempts, but without effect. A cry then arose in one of the tribunes of " Let Lamartine speak !" and at once all the others took it up. M. de Lamartine. — A provisional government will be at once proclaimed. (Enthusiastic cries of " Vive Lamartine !") Other voices — The names! the names! M. Cremieux, amidst great tumult, said, — It is essential that silence be restored, in order that our venerable colleague, M. Dupont (de l'Eure) may read to you the names which you wish to learn. As the tumult, which had lulled for a second whilst the honourable deputy was speaking, recommenced just as violently as ever, the names were written on a sheet of paper, aad that, being placed on the end of a musket, was so paraded about the chamber. M. Ledru Rollin. — We are obliged to close the sitting, in order to proceed to the seat of government. From all sides.— To the Hotel de Ville! Vive la Republique/ This most extraordinary sitting was then brought to a conclusion at four o'clock.