Correspondance de P.-J. Proudhon; (1875)Tome Deuxiéme Librairie Internationale; Paris.pgs.337-338

To Mr. Maguet1

Paris, June 28, 1848

My dear Maguet; your concern and friendship touch me very deeply. It is very dear to me to know that souls such as your own extend their sympathy, when I am a horror to so many people.

The insurrection has given up, but it is not conquered. Thousands are being arrested; if the orders are severe, we can expect to see 20,000 citizens thrown in prison. A decree by the National Assembly that was issued tonight, assigns each one of them to military duties and deports them out of the Continent. The conquering bourgeois are as ferocious as tigers; the whole province is pouring in, as if a terrible flood was seriously threatening the family and property.

The papers capitalize on the error in the situation, spreading the libel and deceiving the country.

It’s all happening again, I assure you; half if not three-quarters of the population of Paris has been shaken up. I saw it with my own eyes; if they did not participate in the insurrection, the reason for it was the spontaneity of the movement and the uncertainty of the motive.

Red flag, black flag, white flag, tri-colored flag; some socialists, some bonapartists, some English, some Russians, some convicts: it’s really a confusing mix.

The unhappy bourgeois of Paris is at bay. Like the workers, they flagrantly demand work, credit, and bread. And I assure you that it is not the Assembly that will give it to them. In two weeks, we will be at the bottom of the darkest pit; returning to business as usual is impossible by ordinary means. Another helping hand is inevitable and will be decisive.

The National Assembly is giving a pitiful showing due to its indecisiveness and stupidity. These are the church-sellers that agitate the Republic. I will only be soothed when the people are breathing down our necks. P. Leroux is ruined just like L. Blanc. There is only me who has not yet said anything; I only want to speak about positive questions. But I will be clear, categorically; I will ask the casus belli. It will be known where we are coming from, I hope, from my first words.

Governor sends his regards.

Until next time, highest regards my dear Maguet.

P-J. PROUDHON