Middletown transcript., 1870-11-05
TILE RIVALS I'M FRANCE.

Two months ago the wonder was that
France could be overrun so far and over
come SO fast by her great neighbor and
rival; to-day the wonder is that France
resists at all, and that her whole social and
military fabric does not tumble to ruin.
1t is not one rival power, but fve-and
even six, counting Germany-that now
contend for the mastery of France. There
are foes domestic as well foreign levy. The
government at Paris and Tours; the Bon
apartists now plotting at Wilhelmshof,
whom Eugene has already gone to join
the red republicans at Marscilles and the
south, who defy Gambetta and the pro-
visonal government; the Orleanists, who
have "peace party" under Theirs, Gui-
zot, Lefevre, Pontalis and other famous
men, and who, besides, are said to be
mastering forces in the west, to be con6n-
ed to one of the Orleans princes I; and even
the house of Bourbon, in the person Of fthe
Count de Chambord-are all watching and
struggling against each other.
There is something amusing in the let
ter of Henri, count de Chambord, when he
says that upon him, as the head Of the
house of Bourbon, rests the chief respon-
sibility of restoring peace and fortune to
France. He invites his countrymen to
"learn by experience whereas it is an
adage regarding the Bourbons that they
never learn wisdom from experience The
house of Orleans, on the other hand, pos
sesses great strength, and will certainly
prove a formidable rival to the republic.
In the Duke d. Aumale, the Count de
Paris, and the Duke de Chartres, it has
three good soldiers, who, in addition to
military study and experience, have SO
much personally at stake in any movement
for the restoration of the Orleans dynsty
that we may suppose them capable of uni
ted and vigorous action. There is q story
of an ''army offs hundred thousand men"
forming for an Orleanist leader in France
Of course this is one of the customary ex-
aggerations of a war rumors but it is
significant that there should be reports of
any force at all recruiting for such leader
ship, sincs not only did the empire refuse
the services of the Orleans princes, but
Jules Favre expressly requsted them not
to attempt to enter Paris when the repub-
lie had been declared. Besides, Trochu,
the commander of Paris, and the best
soldier left to France, is of Orleanist ten
denotes, though essentially soldier with
out politics while the names reported as
connected with the "Orleanist peace party"
show how strong it is in civilians.
In the next place, the power of the Bon
apartists is illustrated by the intrigues
conducted between Metz, London, Viii
helmshof and Versailles, resulting in for
NAL propositions for restoration and in the
surrender of Bazaine's army. Consider
ing how lately the very name Napoleon
was execrated in France, this daring move
is not to be lightly estimated. Again, red
republicanism is strong enough in YER
sailles to SET up Esquiros in opposition to
Gambetta, so that, when the latter order
ed the resignation of Esquiros, he was
forced to recall him Red republicanism
was strong enough in the south of France
to force the appointment of Garibaldi to a
command, although all the French clergy
and most of the peasantry are outraged by
the act, aud some of his own franc-tireurs
threaten to shoot him.
1t is evident, therefore, that, leaving
out the question the tremendous external
pressure of the Gcrmans-and that is q
pretty large item to leave out-the inter-
nal troubles, the intrigucs and dissensions,
the plots and counterplots to which France
is subjected, are enough to prove her ruin.
1t is wonder, VIC repeat, that the French
still fight so stoutly, and that this house,
apparently so divided against itself, does
not fall.-Philadelphia Record.