The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-05-16

NMab the EEADunbSB JOEFSSpUas@OAs
thinks about the French Elections
Interesting statements, and ten
eFal Charges OF Election FRAUDS
Or the part Of the French Govern
ment-NeW Cabinet 50 be Formed
etc., etc.
NEW York, May 1.-THE gri-
bune's cable special from Paris, IN ad-
dition to what is already telegraphed,
says the result Of the plebiScitunl dis
appointed all parties. Republicans,
and others of the opposition, are sur
prised by the number of affirmative
votes, for they expected not more than
FIVE or six millions, but though sad
dened, they are not discouraged they
| have heroically fought eighteen years
against imperial despotism, and the
warfare will never cease until they are
successful. The large affirmative vote
In Paris, was unexpected, but on the
other hand the great number who
voted NO. IN the army is equally
surprising and alarms the Emperor.
The only man entirely content at
the result is Olivier, whose vanity
| persuades him that the great majority
is ratification of his administration.
| But the true meaning OF the vote Is
| far different. The Emperor's procla-
nation demands Yes" as new proof
Of Frances confidence in himself,
and means of facilitating the trans
mission of the crown to his son. The
great affirmative majority, SO far as it
was not fraudulent, did undoubtedly
mean that and nothing else. It was
vote for the Empire-pure and sim
pie, liberal or despotio-as the En-
peror chooses. Of course, large
fraction voted Yes" under the lead
| of moderate liberals, who tried to be-
lieve that the pIebtscltun5 meant only
approval of recent reforms. Another
large fraction voted "Yes" under fear
of plots and revolution.
At least two millions out of seven
must be credited to the army, or civil
| liam officials-to persons connected,
directly or indirectly, with the vast
machinery of the Administrations, or
otherwise dependent upon the Gov
ernment The rest-say four mill
lions-was made up purely by fraud
and coercion, partly by votes Of
| Bourgeoise and peasantry Napoleon
lists; no doubt by choice, but always
| for the powers that be. In any case
the peasantry in the small towns and
villages, must vote as they were or
dered by the Mayors, and other func-
tionaries. Of the actual force and
coercion on the day of the vote, there
was less than In 1850, but the system
remains unchanged. The Govern
ment, during the whole plebiscttory
period, has Systematically applied
every means of sileneing the opposi-
ton, and driving the affirmative voters
to the polls.
The opposition press all over
France has been prosecuted and
seized journals that were not seized
were refused transmission through
the post offices; the subscription to
the fund of the opposition committee
was treated as crime; printers were
arrested for printing negative ballots
agents were arrested for distributing
them; the opposition committee
rooms were invaded by the police
and seized. Since the publication of
the report on the alleged plot, no
journal has been allowed to publish
evidence in disproof of it, The Rap
pet was seized for printing@A letter
from Francoise Hugo. The Marsel
7dise was seized for publishing as
feaaletoR, the report of Procureur
General Grande Perret.
The ReUeiIle was seized for doubt
ing the existence Of any plot. The
Seicle and La VeR0r were seized for
the same offeuse. From Thursday to
Sunday these papers were seized every
day. The provincial newspapers sut-
fered the same fat. Five prosecu-
tions were instituted in one day
against the Rdpp ], and It's editors
were sentenced to one years impris-
onment for printing siugle article by
Victor Hugo. The system of official
pressure by Projects, which Olivier
was pledged to abandon, was never
more energetically or unscrupulously
enforced. Projects were summoned
weeks ago to Paris, and were prom
ised complete immunity for all the
efforts they should make in behalf of
plebiscitum.
Nevertheless, the affirmative ma
iority is wholly a rural majority.
Fraud and coercion are equally diff
! cult in great cities, and all the great
cities, with most of the larger towns
throughout France. have given ma
jorities against the Empire. The same
part of the huge system of terror and
fraud will be exposed by the counting
of the votes, which the Opposition in
the Corps Legislatif will demand.
The Government will oppose any In
/ vestigation, but cannot stife the ques
: ton. The first result of % ebiscitunl
, will be a Reorganization of the Minis
try. The Emperor's personal power
is so far strengthened that he may
dispense with CONCESSIONS
Semi official papers are filled with
rumors of new names. Olivier is to
remain, being at present a more SER
; viceable tool than Rouher, but Rou-
, hers return to power Is only ques-
ton of time. A portfolio viii prob
6 ably be offered Girardin, as the price
! of his usefulness.
Olivier has no longer any liberia
support. No liberal will enter his
Cabinet, and vacancies viii be filled
: from Right, and Right Centre.
f The disturbances in Paris since tht
1 vote, have been absolutely insignif
e cant. Every Republicau journal
f counselled quiet, and such disorders
: as occurred were confined to remote
= quarters of the city, and were thu
: work of the police agents and othel
4 criminal classes.
An enormous military force wa
displayed, police were massed togethe
and though barricades were building
= in presence of both, no effort wa
y made to stop them until they Wer
Z completed. Then they were attacked
i but nobody defended them. A few
: Republicans, in one case, were cheat
L.