In throwing back the sovereignty from a 'representative assembly' which had virtually ceased to represent, into the hands of the people, I think that Louis Napoleon did well.

The talk about 'military despotism' is absolute nonsense.

The French army is eminently civic, and nations who take their ideas from the very opposite fact of a _standing army_ are far from understanding how absolutely a French soldier and French citizen are the same thing.
The independence of the elections seems to be put out of reach of injury; and intelligent men of adverse opinions to the government think that the majority will be large in its favour.

Such a majority would certainly justify Louis Napoleon, or _should_--even with you in England.
I think you quite understate the amount of public virtue in France.

The difficulties of statesmanship here are enormous.