[
78]
to the fact that the vote actually cast for him was smaller than it was at either of the previous elections in those districts, and that this circumstance seemed to justify the conclusion that a large number of the
French people did not, even upon such important occasions, care enough for universal suffrage to take the trouble of going to the polls.
Later, in referring to
Louis Napoleon's first appearance in the Assembly,
Dana says:
... He was instantly the sole object of attention of every person in the House except the unlucky orator who happened to be in the tribune; even the elegant and massive lorgnette of ivory that President Marast wields with such consummate skill was gracefully levelled upon him. He bore the quizzing with calmness and courage.
He was dressed in black with a bad-looking mustache-at least that was the verdict of the ladies in the gallery.
He is rather undersized and seems worn with dissipation.
As soon as his election was proclaimed he read a speech about two minutes long in which he took the oath of allegiance to the Republic and his constituents.
All parties joined in applauding it. ...
The fact is that both the radicals and the conservatives were tired and the country impatient.
The discussion had been going on with more or less intensity for six months, further agitation was discouraged, and while the committee on the constitution was not altogether satisfied with its work, both the Assembly and the people insisted upon settling down to the organization of a definitive if not a permanent government.
Dana, while faithfully reporting the final result to the newspapers at home, declared with characteristic emphasis:
... The agitation will not stop, and ought not to stop, till all monopolies are abolished and a free field opened to progress of every kind.
As long as there are fetters on this
