The New York herald., 1869-03-10
FRANCE.
The Approaching French Elections.

from the Pail Mall Gazette, Feb. 22l
There are already several symptoms that the eec-
France about the month or April next viii be con-
Quoted very much like our own, at least as regards
the rough work attendant on personal canvass.
When The suffrage limited In France the position
OF candidate was not altogether sinecure The most
visited except in the case OF the voters selecting
some popular statesman; for example, Roger Col
lard was returned for seven colleges without ever
leaving Paris or appearing once on the hustings.
With universal suffrage, however, all personal
vassing came TO an end The change vas abrupt
that the voters did not appreciate the power placed
In their hands The loca pulers or the govern
mcnt selected candidate and the constituents voted
blindfod. This was tie rule throughout nearly the
whole OF France, the great cities alone giving any
evidencs OF Independence. few placards and cir
cuars were ell that was required, and till some
These happy days for the French deputy appear to
be rapidly vanishing. There Is young republican
element eager for admission TO the Corps Lessiati,
A year ago half the electors in France were igno-
rant Of everything the government desired should
paper but that authorized by his Preiect. Now ne
can indulge his fancy and choose his own line Of
politics after studying the views OF all parties what
ever may be the result OF the forthcoming elections
in France II s certain that the candidates will not be
accepted on the same easy terms for themselves as
themselves II they desire 70 secure seats. Even
now, while the present Parliament ID holding Its last
session, numerous independent gentlemen who
aspire TO the honor Of sitting in the Lower Chamber
are sounding the voters The struggle Will be fierce
between the opposition and government and
the will in y great measure depend on
the tactics adopted b. the various sections opposed
to personal government by some 1t u proposed
that where the government candidate u too strong
TO be resisted single handed, the differences between
other parties shall he elraced; that the egitlmlst
Orleanst democrat and republican shall JOIN to
overthrow the imperialist candidate. Fortunately
for the government this plan which has N. Provost
Paradol for one VI Its adyocates 10 vigorously op
posed by portion OF the democratic press.
The chiefs VI the opposition appear 10 think that
they VIII have nffy seats IN the next Parliament aud
thai there will be q great number Of independent
IN enbeTs who viii form q urs pdrtt favorable to
the present dynasty IN connection with liberal mea-
sures. A large number OF opposition candidates
wnl take the Held. Several men who have
hitherto lived In what may be termed voluntary exile
are coming back TO France and addressing consttu-
encies. For instance, NJ. Pascal Duprat. one OF the
members OF tue Provisional government, has LETT
spain ana appeared In tue South, where he has met
win reception which leads him to reckon on being
sent up 70 the next Parliament. The government
mas at is disposal vast organizations; ali the brlbe-
ry and corruption IN the shape OF public work dam
gcd before the eyes OF submissive are
In the hands OF the authorities, who, however will
have a hard battle 10 fight against not merely the
democrats but the "anc ent partieu the protection
isLs aud other lukewarln friends.