“All nominations and creations of peers made under the reign of Charles X. are declared void and of none effect. The 27th article of the charter (giving the king power to create peers) shall be subjected to a new discussion in the sittings of 1831.”
These propositions being before the house, General La Fayette having ascended the tribune, amidst the most profound silence, thus spoke:—
“In mounting this tribune for the purpose of expressing an opinion opposed to that of many friends of liberty, I am not yielding to a momentary impulsion, nor am I courting popularity, which I never preferred to my duty. (Cheers.) The republican principles which I have professed throughout my life, and under all governments, do not prevent me from being the defender of a constitutional throne raised by the people. The same sentiments animate me under the present circumstances, when it is judged desirable to raise to a constitutional throne, the prince lieutenant-general, and I am bound to avow that this choice the more perfectly fulfils my wishes the more I become acquainted with him. (Cheers.) I do not partake in the opinion entertained by many of my fellow-citizens as to an hereditary peerage. (Hear! hear!) A disciple of the American school, I have always conceived it to be necessary that the legislative body should be divided into two chambers, differently constituted; but I have never been able to comprehend how people could be hereditary legislators and judges. I have always thought that the introduction of aristocracy into public institutions was mixing them with a bad ingredient. It is, therefore, with great pleasure that I find you occupied with a project that meets the sentiments I have professed throughout my life, and which I only now repeat. My conscience forced me to make this repetition, and declare that I hope shortly to see the hereditary peerage suppressed. My fellow-citizens will do me the justice to acknowledge that if I have always been the upholder of liberty, I have at the same time been the supporter of public order.”
General La Fayette was everywhere received as a kind father. He had many able coadjutors in the great work performed, especially Lafitte and Gerard.
The total number killed in Paris during the three days’ fighting in this revolution of 1830 was about eight thousand. La Fayette and his son devoted themselves with great kindness to the wounded, encouraging the surgeons and personally bestowing attentions and favors upon the sufferers.
The following letters written by La Fayette to various friends at this time will give a clear and concise idea of his opinions regarding this political upheaval in France.
The first two were addressed by La Fayette to General Bernard of Washington; the last, to a gentlemen in New York.
“Paris, Sept. 8, 1830.
“My dear General: Abundance of news must have reached you through the periodical papers. Nevertheless, I think it will be pleasing to you to receive some written details. You will have received some publications relating to our memorable week. You will also have read an account of the review by the king in the Champ de Mars, for the distribution of our tri-colored flags to the National Guard. The ceremony was as splendid as that of the federation of 1790. We had five hundred thousand spectators, and every one was struck with the celerity with which in less than three weeks we have organized nearly fifty thousand men of National Guard—armed, equipped, and filing off like veteran troops. The king handed successively to the general commander-in-chief the forty-eight tri-colored flags, each surmounted with a cock in lieu of the old imperial eagle, with this motto, ‘Liberty—Public Order—Days of 27th, 28th, 29th, July, 1830.’ The commander-in-chief took himself the new oath, and had it administered to the National Guard. The colors were entrusted to flag-bearers selected from among the mechanics who had distinguished themselves in fighting in the barricades. The National Guard are organizing throughout France. We have already fourteen thousand men for the two arrondissements only of St. Denis and Seaux.
“I send to you the order of the day which I addressed to the National Guard of the kingdom. Next week a law will be proposed for the final organization of the French National Guard. All the citizens will compose the stationary guard; the young men the movable National Guard. From seven to eight hundred thousand fighting men will thus form good corps of reserve.