The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-24
Newspaper sationIsm-Jouruaiistic Shifts
and Canards-BOhemiantsm by Imltntion-
Tho Plcbiscitum and tho Politicians.


the OF It's mysticaton the greater the credit
1t lays claim to. This may be brilliant managing
but it rs not Journalism as we understand 1t.
The journal / allude to is the Figaro Its name
implies vivaclty payfulness; but 1t aspires TO be
regarded one Of the leading journals, and It's art
cles are all ably written, and It's intelligence IL va
ried and generally correct. Hence its popularity
and wide circulation. Doubtless its proprietor knows
the French taste and how acutely they relish teu
desprit really well done. The French care more for
a joke and less for dignity than an American, Eng
lishnan German can possibly imagine. Conse-
quently the Figaro, every now and then, comes out
with fabrication as audacous aud yet so udfsel11-
bldble as to make 1t the town-talk OF the day.
Nearly year ago the paper announced that the
Emperor had resolved on total change OF his sys-
TEN of government, and 1t published new constitu
OF modified character, but not so extravagant
as to lead to suspicion. 1t named the new men, who
about to be called into office under the s'e0tna
about to be inaugurated and in short 1t went into
every detail connected with the grand political event
announced with 80 much gravity and precision as to
beguie no end Of people. This took place. too, at
a time when the political cauldron was boiling,
for after the elections OF 1869, and when the
Emperor was known to be contemplating conces-
slons. Again. only yesterday, it startled Its readers
by stating with the utmost seriousness that the jour-
nal was sold to the ultra republican party for the
up the publication OF letters from all the notorious
"Reds.n such as Felix Pyat, Barbes, Quinot and
ton by victor Hugo, all OF which was so skilfuliy
cOncOcted as to seduce the majority into believing
the bargain had really been made, and that the
paper OF Rochcort was hereafter to have fOrmida-
BILE rival. Now, the French OF all classes laugh
heartily over bit OF deception like this, but we
Americans can't see the joke and consider 1t stupid.
II The hoax had even the redeemng feature OF beng
a scientific mystery, like that of a New York daily.
years ago with reference to the inhabitants of the
remember q
in our view; but simply 10 circulate false political
news however cgnnlngy done ZIP up. Is nal, stale and
that the French are very Frenchy IN their newspa
pers and politics, which, OF course, does not prevent
their possessing thousand qualities and traits
that make them very fascinating people all the
same.
All the effects OF that stunning political tornado
speak, the plebtsctte, are not yet recorded. 1t
has deoralized the politicians fearfnly; but 1t Is
actually killing the Redsn outright. Gambetta and
Banned are very Ill; but the news from Holland Is
that the very reddest OF the Reds" tile erOcious
Barbes, is pronounced in dTiCuiO DlOrtts and that
his friends despair or him. III this fanatic could
s w way e nc o.
leon III. and his family for no other cause than not
believing in his capacity to govern France. Provi-
dence has ordained that political buchery shall not
again be revived in Ia belle France and the wOud.De
butcher is consigned to that "bourne which he had
destined for many others. OF all the coteres into
which politicians split up in Paris there Is
which has been more dreadfully affected by that
galvanc battery, to give the ple6tscie new name,
as the ,"Ieitu This, you know Is the head
and inc amiIv On t meo oN, an
| D republic being a better thing than an empire.
But since the vote of the Sth OF May last their knees
have been knocking together and secret misgivlngs
have seized upon all OF them. The last seventeen OF
| this once devoted bandshave cried peccavi, and
ALL they have taken up their beds and walked or
into new camp OF their own, where they each
opposition, but that It viii be a constitutional
| opposition" In other words, they give up the re-
public, seeing that the French nation will not have
1t at any price, and they accept the empire and En-
peror ana all; but they viii, as IN duty bound,
| oppose it all they can until in process OF time they
are duly Installed In office. THIS was the little game
| played by Emile OLIVIER until he became Prime
Minister, as he is today; and so Ernest Picard. who
is, they say, qnite as good orator. Is resolved to
initiate his tactics in the expectation of some day
being sent fo'' by his imperial Majesty to be raised
to the enyiable position l think | may venture to
that his dreams OF future elevation are more than
likely, lmay even say are sure, to be realized. for
all the politicians of every hue and stripe, and
nothing Will afford him more satisfaction than TO give
politician is no better than anybody else and though
he vapors, like his brothers III the flesh OF England
and the States, about principle ana consistency and
that sort OF thing yet he ready to modify or even
to give them all the go by, like the aforesaid, for
the sake OF those spoils" that the late Mr.. darcy
| 0Dce declared belonged TO the .'victors"
Be prepared, therefore, possibly before the year
| out, to hear that e. Picard has given up opposing
his constitutional munster, and to cothe himself
I'm fine linen and purple" unit, some other jealous
| rival rises with 'Torty gashes Oh his head" like
Banqu0s ghost, to turn HIM out In his turn and ap.
prOprrate the ministerial palace to his own use.
must not forget to mention that things are as
| Stunning rather 0miDous aspect for Olivier. There
is nothing stranger than the ups and downs OF poll
tical iile "Never did the course OF true love run
| smooth" but doubt II the course OF politics runs
any smoother. The success OF the peotscte which
Olivier was the only man to sustain the Emperor IN,
! was supposed to have given Olivier very long aud
strong hold Of power; put 10 and behold the major
ity in the Chamber twice last week laid him nat on
his back by voting against him. he was naturally
thundersruck, but recovering his breath he called
on the Chamber to vote again on some insignificant
question aud deded them to vote against nim' he
slon and said no WAS already SICK OF power just ~
Wosey declared he was sick Of the vanities OF the
world, AND doubtless equally sincere. Well the
Chamber did vote again at the ralIyng cry OF Olivier,
| but instead OF majority against MIN tue Snamper
| voted unanimously In his favor; but several mem
beers explained that the vote was hctoh, since tney
voted for him while utterly opposed 10 MS retention
| OF 0fce This Is parliamentary iactics Win ven
geance. Surely the French are funny people Ia Sc
rious matters However, 1t Is certain that olivier
is In great danger OF losing Office Just wnen he had
right to suppose he was good lor zen Years AZ least
What does this all mean? There must be Key 70
the Mystery or course theyc IL, but can't hand it
to you to-day. 1t will be an amusing story to those
WHO Ike to see ga ship go down. al sea-"
SMALLPOX.
! lam clad to tell YOU in the way OF general news
that the smallpox that people had talked so much
about lately is admitted TO be decnnng fast, and we
hope soon TO hear no more OF u.
There are seventy.tw persons TO be tried for the
conspiracy against the LIE OF the Emperor, and this
promises to he rich ana romangc reauihg.
II ia lust published that less than 6e4 omnibuses
are running about Paris and all under the control OF
one company, to whom they belonged, and very
comfortable carriages they are TO say nothing OF
| their being admirably posted and managed. rue
number OF passengers is limited and never exceeded
How long before you will bring this about Win
VOn- horse cars In New York;