The daily union., 1846-05-02
HE ELECTORAL SYSTEM OF FRANCE

|
last, in relation 10 the constitution Of the popular
branch of the French government-the Chamber OF
Deputies. The principal speakers upon this oeea-
sion were Nj. Theirs for the opposition, and M
Duchatel the Minister of the Interior, for the gov
ernment. The debate has well been called great
parliamentary duel fought on the platform OF the
monarchy of Louis Philippe. 1t embraced the
whole question of the eligibility Of Office holders IN
France to serve as deputies in the chamber Our
readers are probably aware that the government OF
Louis Philippe has for many years sought and
maintained its majority in the chamber, to very
consde rable extent, through the votes of men EN-
ployed on the civil list, and elected TO the cham
Der in that capacity and on that consideration. M.
de Remusat submitted proposition declaring the
Office of deputy incompatible with the tenure Of GER
tain other public Offices. Upon the adoption of this
proposition the debate arose.
Though not Immediately connected with Ameri-
can affairs, the discussion will yet well repay the
attention of our readers In the first place, It en-
braces wide field Of historical retrospect and ofpot
ical philosophy. 1t was sustained on both sides
with consummate ability; and, as showing the ma
ture of the power in the representative chamber
welded by the present dynasty, it reflects some light
upon an important point to which we have already
called attenton--the contrast between the present
sympathies and incnations, in relation to English
and American affairs, OF the French cabinet and Of
the French people. It shows the nature and the
elements of that majority, which voted down the
amendment TO the address proposed by M. Berryer
and which was Justly regarded on both sides OF the
ATLANTIC as declaration of French sympathy with
America, in case Of hostlites arising the Oregon
question.
The debate is, moreover, OF much interest as de-
hning completely the position Of M. Theirs before
the government and policy Of Louis Philippe. No
man in France, at the present day, can pretend to
rival Thers in influence a leader Of the moderate
opposition-the centre left, as it is called.
His speech upon this occasion may be regarded
as definite and final rupture, not alone Of all his
conciatory relations with the existing cabinet, but
Of any other cabinet which can be formed under the
system OF Louis Philippe. Renouncing all hope of
power during the reign of the present king, Thiers
looks to the future In the noble language Of his
peroraon, he has said, al place my bark on the lof
tiest promontory Of the beach, and | will wait the
rising of the waters to make it float" In quoting
this grand and striking image, the National (the pa
per, be it observed, which Theirs himself founded
some twenty years ago, and from the editorial desk
of which he rose to be leading cabinet mlniser)-
the National remarks, ''let not M. Theirs deceive
himself; when the food shall rise, it will be in
day of tempests, and the bark of NJ Theirs is alto
gether too fragile to weather the least Of the
storms" However this may be, it does not at all
detract from the grand bravery of the French states
mans new position and attempt.
Alter rectng briefly his pas: position upon this
same question, and showing that when at the head
of the ministry in 1910, he had received favora-
bly,, referred it to commission and only postponed
it because it would, if farther agtated have brought
about a dissolution of the chamber point against
which the Theirs cabinet had been pledged at its
formation; after thus rectng and explaining his past
course, the orator proceeds:
"For myself claim never to have pretended to
be what was not. | am not what is called an in
novator. Generally speaking, | have no taste for
Innovations. Fifty years ago, under the ancient
monarchy Of France, which, while civilized in its
manners, was barbarous in its laws, | should have
been an innovator; so should be in the old
monarches of Europe where the rights of humani-
ty are neither respected nor recognised. Several
voices: True--very true But in society which
has already been upturned by fifty years of revolu
ton, which has seen all its laws passing through
change, cannot be the partisan of innovation. Ac-
cording to my judgment, we are now called upon
not 80 much 10 make new institutions, as to learn
how we may best use those which we possess. When,
therefore, decide in favor Of reform, must he
lieve in its indispensable necessity. And, for my
self, the more deeply study the condition Of this
country, the state of its parliament, and, above al
the state of its administration, the more deeply
founded my present convictions become. 1t is said
that we attack the ofice-holders. 1t is indeed pos
sble that shall attack some offce-holders in this
chamber but we have just concluded our defence of
forty thousand public functonaries in the country
(referring to the clergy)-forty thousand who, day
after day, sacrificed to principle which subjects
them to be continually superseded. The more | ex-
anime, say, the state of the administration, the
more convinced am Of the indispensable necessity
of this reform defend it from con yiction, for I
am not thoughtless enough to propose, as chief of
the opposition, measure which should be obliged
to dsavow as head of the ministry. shall make no
such bundcr.
"[scveral voices OF what opposition are you the
"Mr. GARNER PAGES, with animation) You
mean, doubtless, as chief of the opposition of the
centre lstl' Laughter
IN. THEIRS. 1t is impossible to commence and
close this discussion, as propose, without using
the word corruption Permit me to define it, to
use it, as it should be used in it its true sense, as
publicists it, you will find it used in Mon
tesquieu
CAN governments have, know, their humiiiations
free governments as well as absolute govern
ments. Under them all, the master who gives
power must be fattered. Under an absolute mon
archy-under Louis XIV-young, fond of glorv
and magnifcence-it was necessary to flatter his
tastes for war, and his tastes for splendid ed6ces
Under Louis XIV, when grown old, and yielding
tee, it was necessary to fatter such mis-
tress. And few days since found in Bossuet-
that mighty genus-a letter which covered me
with confusion. l saw that great spirit Obliged to
bend before Madame de Maintenon, to obtain the
publication Of his works which the royal censors,
animated by the spirit of lie Teller, would then
have forbidden. [Sensaton.
"Ata later day, when royalty had fallen down from
Louis XIV to Louis XV-a great mnster-ereat
at least in his intentions and in his intelligence M
de Choiseu-was obliged in his turn to pay court
to a woman. 1t was the price at which he gained