The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1870-08-23
France and Her Rulers, Present
and Future.

That revolution in the French Gov.
erument will result from tue war now
apparently almost concluded against the
Empire, is almost certain. That this will
he effected by apopular outbreak and
violent overthrow Of the ruling dynasty,
as appeared imminent a fortnight ago, Is
no longer probable Had the progress
Of military events been less rapid and the
crisis forced upon France less Overwhem.
ing this must have occurred. But there
has been no time for the leaven OF dis APP
pointment and disAfection TO ferment
into revolution. The pressure from the
invading enemy has beem tremendous
and constant since the first disaster to the
French arms. It has compelled the peO-
pie Of France without respect 10 party
NapOIeonic or Republican-to forget for
the time their differences; to forget every
thing save that they were Frenchmcn and
that France was invaded by u traditional
~ detested enemy, and was in supreme
danger ola humiliation under which she
could never again hold up her head in
Europe. Paris is France and Paris itself
is threatened wieh occupation by the
Prussians.
Whatever faults the French may have
and however badly they allow themselves
to be governed, they do not lack patri-
otto pride Of country. And SO while q
tedious war along the Rhine, without salts
factory results, would have bred faction
and revolution, the short, sharp work
made by the Prussians, their apparently
resistless march directly upon the heart
of the Empire, with such an army as
never set foot on French soil before,
has unquestiOnably silenCed diSafection
against the government, and filled the
French people with but ono thought, that
of saving, not the Empire, but France.
The feeling has been strengthened by the
EmperOFs passive surrender OF SUI
prcme powers into stronger hands. The
military authorities viii not allow his dis
patches TO be printed, and Gen. Trochu is
virtual dictator at the capital, where the
fate Of France is to be decided, subject
only 10 tile chambers and expressly alb
solved from any responsibility TO Ma
poleon.
NAPOLEON has lost the confidence Of his
people. The French do not require that
their ruler be an honest or good man. But
he must be capable one. He must be
able to cope with the enemies Of France
and not expose her to shame. In their
eyes NAroLEoN's imbecility in this war
is a greater offence than all his crimes
against justice and popular liberty. They
could forgive the coup Eetat, but his pres
ent humiliation Of France, never! But
there Is no time now to quarrel among
themselves about what should be done
with him. lie has yielded the powers Of
command TO others, and is mere figure
head; and therefore, forgetting him for
time, the French people must give their
whole thoughts TO the crisis which
threatens them all. When the danger
shall have pasSed-or when further re.
sistancc 10 the invader has ceased 70 be
dvatling, rs from present indications 1t
soon must-a revolution in the govern.
ment OF France will almost certainly be
effected. II the conQuercF should dictate
anew government as one Of the conditions
Of peace, the conquered will have tosub.
nit II the terms OF settlement leave the
French people free to choose their own
government, the chances arc greatly
against continuance Of the BoSAPARTE
dynasty. The Emperor is virtually de.
posed while the war lasts. II nothing
else happens TO him meanwhile, Il 1t like.
" his powers will be restored 10 him upon
the restoration Of peace? His abdicatton,
and the government Of France for time
by regency, might save the succession.
II is barely possible. But if tliswar shall
end in the utter defeat and humiliation OF
France, the people viii scarcely tolerate
any BoxApARTE at the head Of affairs
after 1t is over.
1t now looks as If the man who has
ruled France twenty years with an iron
hand and who IN all that timC has been