Henceforth, 1848, fraternity, is superimposed upon 1793, terror; Napoleon the Little is superimposed upon Napoleon the Great.

The two grand things, one of which alarmed and the other dazzled, are receding.

We perceive '93 only through its justification, and Napoleon only through his caricature; the foolish fear of the guillotine vanishes, the empty imperial popularity disappears.

Thanks to 1848, the Republic no longer terrifies; thanks to Louis Bonaparte, the Empire no longer fascinates.
The future has become possible.

These are the secrets of the Almighty! But the word republic is not sufficient; it is the _thing_ republic that is wanting; well, we shall have the thing with the word.