The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-09-11
The French Republic.

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Republic. The reasons assigned for this
conclusion are more varied than satisfac-
tory. The French are said to be too versa
tile, too inconstant, too loyal in their ma
ture, too cruel, too gay, too many Of them
are ignorant, too many of them are very
learned and able men-each argument ac-
cording to the fancy of the tslker, whose
real reason all the while is that the French
Republic of '93 was failure.
We cannot help remarking, however,
that the two Republics have started in a
very different spirit and on very different
footing. The Republic of '93 was the rule
of the " Bonnets Rouges," that of to-day
suppresses cheers for socialism and main
tains the most decorous order. In fact, the
present Republic is mere revival and
continuation of that which was suspended
by Napoleon's coup detat. His coup de
grace leaves it at liberty to breathe again.
1t is said that the genius of the French
people is not republican; that the cities
with their lawless mobs incline that way,
but the rural population is instinctively
monarchical in it's affections. This remains
to be seen. The mass of the people are, of
course, somewhat suspicious of the virtu-
GUS intentions of Partisan gamins they
dread revolution and plumber, CONSUMPTION
and massacres, the ruin and desolatiOn of
such republicanism as arose in the last
century. They want a stable government.
But satisfy them that Republicanism is
peace, humanity and order, and their mo-
narchical tendencies may disappear.
1t is true that the reconstruction of the
Republic takes place under bad auspices.
The men who head it are apparently dem
agogues and charlatans. In their ultra
views they represent but u comparatively
small fraction of the people, and it is not
ability to conduct affairs with sagaclty in
the present crisis. But the best way to
get rid of them is to pull with, not against
them. Once in a common fold, and they
will sink to their proper position. 1t is no
time now for Frenchmen to fight among
themselves, if their differences can possibly
be postponed. Gambetta g. Co. hold Paris
with all its enormous supplies and NUM-
tons of every kind and it's immense fight
ing population. France needs all this,
therefore let all strike hands with Gambet-
tas clique until such time as they can fairly
vote them into insignificance.
What then of the Bourbons? If they
come back, then return all the counts and
dukes and seigneurs of former age, whose
horrible wickedness and protligacy finally
disguised the French people into revolu-
ton, and made the guillotine possible
Must all this come back, with the lands to
be taken from the people again, and re-
monopolized by few noble families
Must the dissipation, the extravaganza, the
open RIGHTEOUSNESS of a folly -strick en-
court again cry to heaven for vengeance ?
1t may be, but we have been inclined to
suppose that the Bourbons aud their ideas
had played their part and were dead issues,
that the world had no further use for them.
that they were as hopelessly left behind as
the Wing party that once had it's day in
ruling this country.
Will French Republic be popular in
America7 How will it be received by
Grant and his friends? It is evident that
VIC pACSOho hoNO PuCS oho AsoPhoLiSdu parry
of this country in an awkward dilemma.
They have been heretofore enthusiastic for
Prussia. How will they choose between
their military idol and their new born re-
publican brotherf If they still side against
Franco with its present government, what
monstrous treachery to the cause of
Republican government! If they side
against Prussia, what indignation it will
produce among the German voters, 1t
will take several cigars to clear up that
question.
At the South it is an easy matter. We
must sympathize with gallant people
struggling for existence under overwhelm-
ing odds. The chvalrous feeling, the hu-
name sentiment of this section secures such
u result, no matter what may be the form of
their government. Though we should find
that Favre, Gambetta and Trochu have
enlisted the good will of our oppressors,
we must still wish well to the French peo-
pie, badly represented as they may be in
their rulers.
We cannot perceive, though, why South
erners should take sides on the question of
monarchy or republicanism for France.
Government is not a matter of abstract
preference but of instructive choice. If the
genius of the French people inclines to
monarchy, in vain we would hope to see
them become good republicans. Their ex-