France 1848
Translated: from the original for marxists.org by Mitchell Abidor;
CopyLeft: Creative Commons (Attribute & ShareAlike) marxists.org 2006.
Paris, October 17, 1848
We are far from the day when, after heroic combats, the Republic, springing sparkling and glorious from victory’s breast rose over the world like the living image of Freedom, Equality, and Fraternity, like the sacred symbol of all hopes in the future.
From one end of Europe to the other the nations saluted it with their acclamations and, penetrated with the new spirit, the regenerating breath, they smashed al their old chains in the name of the right that France had just inaugurated.
France itself immediately harvested the fruits: in the political order the abolition of privileges and the instituting of universal suffrage. In the social order the freeing of the workers, the primary condition for the transformation of labor itself, for arriving at a more just haring of its products, for the guarantee for the life of all in a society united and in solidarity.
Nevertheless, soon the defeated parties met and organized. Wherever they could expand their actions, through intrigue and slander they worked at arousing the enemies of the Republic and placing obstacles before its government. Little by little insinuating themselves into the government they introduced their principles there, their passions and made of the revolutionary power an arm against the revolution itself. They retreated as far as the gates of monarchy.
This is where we now are. The destiny of the Republic has just been confided to the men of the Monarchy.
We understand the fears of the people, and its too justified indignation. Nevertheless, they should not be overly alarmed, and they should above all be wary of ceding to perfidious provocations. Whatever might be done to push them to disastrously imprudent acts, they must remain calm and firm, masters of themselves in order to be so in the future. In this way they will prove their strength, and it will find it whole, invincible through unity, in the peaceful combats which alone should today come to the aid of right.
And we, honored with the title of Representatives of the People, we know what this title obliges us to do. We know our duty, and we will fulfill it. Come from the people, united with the people, we will fight and, and this is our faith, we will win with it.
The Representatives of the People:
Lamennai, Ledru-Rollin, Felix Pyat, Amedee Bruys, Ollivier (Bouches-du-Rhone), Mathieu (de la Drome), E. Baune, Chollat, Terrier, Brives, Ronjat, CH, Robert (Yonne), Bertholon, V. Schoelcher, Joly (Haute-Garonne), Edmond Joly, Vignerte, Isid, Buvignier, Bravard-Toussaint, Doutre, Eug. Raspail, CH. Madet, Deville, Dubarry, Menand, Benoit, Felix Mathe, Astaix, Th. Bac, P. Joingneaux, J. Pegot-Ogier, Pierre Lefranc, Detours, Martin-Bernard, G. Cales, Pelletier, G. Lasteyras, Fargin-Fayolle, Greppo, Maichin, F. Gambon, Agricole Perdiguier, James Demontry, Xavier Durrieu