The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-11
THE TRIBULATIONs OF FRANCE

THE TRLBULATIONS OF FRANCE.
No country is so sensitive under an invasion
as France. Accustomed to make war on the
soil of her enemies, she becomes frantic
when they cross her frontiers and win victo-
ries on her territory. The immediate occa-
sion of the downfall of Louis XVI was his
refusal to consent to adequate measures for
the repulse of Austrian and Prussian invaders,
and the public indignation aroused by this
objectionable offense quickly led to his exc
cution as well as his dethronement. While
the first Napoleon was leading millions to
slaughter on the fields of Italy, Prussia,
Austria, and Russia, no man could or
dared make formidable opposition to
his imperial mandates, but the instant he
was forced into defensive attitude on the
soil of France his generals and his subser-
Went Senate united in compelling him to alb
dicate So, too, after Waterloo, when he left
a pathway open for second invasion he
found the French Chambers suddenly con-
verted from facile friends into implacable
foes The present war has precipitated a
similar crisis in Paris. The Emperor has
barely been able, up to this time, to maintain
his ascendancy, while symptoms of stern
determination to overthrow his dynasty are
multiplying on every side. The parliamen-
tary warfare against him opened Immediately
after the commencement of the present
session of the French Chambers. The
deputies of the Left, or opposition, submitted
a proposition setting forth that 'inasmuch
as the incapacity of the Chief of State has
brought France into peril, a Committee of
National Defense, to consist of fifteen men,
bers, shall be placed over all existing authori-
ties, summon all citizens, and assume
supreme control of public affairs. The
announcement of this short and easy
method of squelching the imperial marplot
elected the indignant denunciations of
his friends, as well as the threatening re-
sponse that men who made such propositions
should be instantly shot. In the midst of the
excitement an adroit supporter of the empire
managed to turn the current of rage, for the
moment, against the ministry rather than
their master Olivier and his asso-
ciates were offered up as sa-
crifces for being only too faithful
In their obedience to Napoleon, in the despe-
rate hope that their election from Office
would temporarily appease the wrath of an
indignant people. The new Ministry, if any
reliance can be placed upon the consistency
of French politicians, is composed of even
more devoted Imperialists than its predeces-
sors, as will be seen by sketch of its men,
bers which is published in another portion of
to-days TELEGRAPH; and despite his defeats
at the front Napoleon has apparently man.
aged to outlive most dangerous crisis at the
capital But, like his armies, he has merely
gained momentary respite. His own dread
of the future is indicated alike by his
avoidance of the dangerous precincts of
Paris as we'll as the reported transfer of the
young Prince Imperial to English soil for
safety. The capital is seething with revolu-
tionary feeling. Armed forces are summoned
to quell mobs, but already the National
Guard is evincing a disposition to fraternize
with the people rather than to punish them
for their enthusiastic devotion to liberty and
to France. Evidence accumulates that Napo-
leon is personally responsible for the late dis
asters, and since the predominant purpose of
the nation is to avenge them Frenchmen
grow more anxious, hour after hour, to apply
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stroying the Imperial dynasty. Another
serious defeat will give this sentiment
uncomfortable strength, and nothing can
destroy it but speedy change in thefortunes
of the war; Napoleon has been warned again
and again that the French would not submit
to conjoined despotism and defeat, and his
proved inability to cope with foreign foes
will be sure presage of the triumph of his
domestic enemies. Meanwhile the French,
though sorely distracted by political dissen-
sions, and though the enemy are laundering
at their gates, do not seem to have lost their
spirit, as law providing for the national de-
fense, which embraces the enrolment of all
unmarried men between the ages of 20 and
35, was adopted yesterday by a unanimous
vote of the Chambers, amid prolonged ap-
plause, and the exclamation made amid the ex-
citement, 'Now, let Prussia look us in the
facet" is fair indication of the
feelings this action is likely to awaken in a
land teeming with the recollection of past
military glory and present humiliation. The
roar of an angry people will be heard above
the din of clamorous politicians demanding
victory at any price. If the Republican
leaders prove that they alone can secure it,
the mantle of power win fall upon their
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