Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-02-17
The Government Of Francc---Its Ma
ture and Difficulties.
BY REV. N. cYR.


by REV. N. CYR.
Many persons on reading the recent
news from France, have doubtless declaim'
ed, as if often the case, against the tickle
ness and instability of the French. The
revolutions which have taken place in
France, during the last eighty years would
be very likely to confirm these superficial
observers in their opinions; and yet, were
they to inquire carefully into the peculiar
of that country, into the
of its government and its
political parties, they would I'VE feel pretty
sure, modify their judgment. In this en-
lightened age, now that intercourse be-
tween nations is so easy, we ought GER
tainly to know each other better than
and endeavor to rise above the
partition walls of national prejudices
whichIhave been raised mostly by ignor-
ance and pride wish to do my part in re.
moving these Misunderstanding, and il
is with this view that now present the
following facts. ....-.
1t must be remarked first, that France
Is not a confederation of states, but one
great country, governed by strong CEN
trail power, supported by large army,
$4,000 soldiers being kept in Paris for any
emergency.
It is divided into 80 districts called
over each of which is a gov
error, called protect. Each district is
divided into conamatnes or towns, presided
overly mayor there are about 100000 of
these communes. Now, the mayors and
the projects are not elected by the
people, but appointed by the Emperor,
VINO until lately was not only the main
spring, but the only spring of the whole
machinery. 1t is regular clock work, a
wheel within wheel and consequently
it moves very regularly apd nicely, and
o. the modern civilized nations which
abw liberty, France is probably the
best administered. say administered
a,d not governed, for I do not believe in
a government that governs so much. My
ideal is that of a power over the people
which interferes the least possible with
the liberty and action of the citizens. I
like the Federal government because,
compared to that of France, it is almost a
sinecure, and the State government of
Vermont particularly, because it is a
pleasant amusement and wholesome recre-
alton.
But to return to our subject, as we say
in. France, every one will see what induce
nents there are to bring about revolu-
ion, when all that is necessary is to take
possession of the central spring in Paris
that sets the whole machinery in motion.
ALI that Is required after is to send by
mail to every project and mayor the new
form Of government, and the whole coun-
try must submit. 1t cannot do anything
else.
Now, what increases the possibilities of
revolution is the number, as we'll as the
character Of the political parties. 1t is
quite enough TO have two in this country,
but in France there are Ave, three of
which are monarchicsl, having each their
-ightful candidate to the throne. LIST,
The Legitimates. They hAliAve in the
Did Bourbon dynasty. "Henry "" who
1as been patiently waiting his "good
lime coming, IN 9efnoany, is their most
gracious candidate. Cd, The Orleanists,
who favor the second branch of the
Bourbon family and would like to see on
he throne tn. Count of Paris, the grand
,on of Louis Philippe. Sd, The Bona
,artists, who are now in power. 4th, The
of the Lafayette stamp. 9th,
The Radicals.
Such iarring elements are constant
source of difficulty and trouble, and it
requires strong hand to master these va
rious parties which are always united in
viz: The overthrow of the ex-
isting government whatever that may be.
France loves liberty, and whenever she
very country of Europe j. shaken. When
she lights torch, it sets fire all over the
and reaches even England.
But after d period of liberty, more or
less msrred by license, there is reac-
ton which soon leads to desporism.
After some eighteen years of personal
power, the Emperor has decided to grant
. certain amount of liberty. He sees per-
fectly that his son cannot govern as he
has done, and the only way to secure the
throne to him, is to adopt constitutional
form of government. But the radicals
are irreconcilably opposed to that form,
md exact revolution. Their attempts,
however, have failed.
La Re0,le des Deatr Mondes, the great
est review of the world, in the number
lated January 1st, which is before me,
says in reference to this: "a ruler who
strips himself of his prerogatives under
The precision Of public opinion, which he
nas honored in saying it must always have
The last word, n country very firm when
The question is to claim her liberties and
stopping short when revolutions are pro-
posed, such is the entirely new phenom
mon we have witnessed. France has de-
handed liberty, but would not favor a
revolution. This is the secret of all that
has taken place in the last six months !;
his is what rules the situation and after
III France, in this, is right"
The great review continues to show
hat France has been influenced to take
Ibis stand by the considerations, First,
On account OF her industrial interests
which are always injured by revolutions
and also by the fact that these movements
nave a demoralizing effect.
1t seems then that France is learning
wisdom and may try to obtain liberty in
, constitutional way. We are glad to see
his and hope that no radicalism will influ-
,nce that great country in the opposite