The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1871-02-25
The Republic.

Affairs in France show some indications of a
hopeful future, but We fear it is the awful calm
that precedes the throes of the earthquake. The
election of the delegates to the Constituent AS
sembly, as first reported, indicated the triumph
of the monarchists in an overwhelming
majority.
But when they assembled and commenced
their proceedings, their choice of presiding
officer for their body gave a more cheerful
bly,. The selection they made was NJ. Grevy.
a republican in sentiment and competent,
judicious officer.
The next step taken gives still better
Representation of clear sky for French
politics in the coming days of the republic, as
far as the peoples representatives can secure
this end.
As chief executive officer of the nation they
selected the veteran patriot, statesman and
man of letters, NJ. Theirs. 1t was the voice of
this man alone that was heard in the National
Assembly in July last in opposition to the mad
cap programme of Louis Napoleon in declaring
war against the King of Prussia. His was the
only vote there recorded in opposition TO the
war that has entailed such untold disasters
upon the French peasantry and such ineradi-
cable disgrace upon the French army.
The English, Austrian and Italian ambassa-
doris have called upon Theirs and recognized
the Republic, and him as its chief executive
Immediately after this, Lord Lyons telegraph
ed to him from London, officially recognizing
the Republic on behalf of the English nation.
The new ministry is composed of Dufaure,
Minister ofjustice; Favre of Foreign Affairs ;
Picard ofthe Interior; Simon of public Instruc-
ton; Lambrecht of commerce; LIE Fro ofwar
Pothnan of marines. This Ministry was
selected by Theirs himself. He will not as
sumo the functions of any particular depart
ment, but will employ his time in supervising
all the affairs of the nation.
Bismarck is still resolute in his demands for
terms of settlement. He insists on the cession
of Alsace and part of Lorraine with the
fortresses of Thionville, Metz and Belfort and
an indemnity to the amount of 2sO, OOO, 900
pounds stirling There is considerable dissatis-
faction with these terms among the members
ofthe Constituent Assembly, and particularly to
the loss of territory. We do not believe that
Bismarck will yield any of his stern demand
and We are fearful that the Assembly will heap
further miseries upon the people of France by
quarreling among themselves in consequence
of a refusal to take the terms offered. The
prospective Republic is even yet in a very
critical condition. The Assembly, constituted
as it is of Bonapartists, Orleanists and Re-
publieans, all of whom have the quick, fiery,
sensitive French nature, is an assembly of Gin
fornel machines" ready to explode and send
the reconstruction of the nation to atoms. As
much care and caution is necessary in the
management of its proceedings as there would
be in searching the departments of a powder
magazine with lighted candle.
While Bismarck is hard in his terms, there
seems to be no hope but to take them. To
sqGabble over them is to lessen the chances OF
a permanent Republic, and to give an OPP
portunity to either of the two jealous parties Of
monarchists to step in and carry off the spoils.
Any dissentions about peace will only render
the establishment of the Empire more
certain and endanger the chances of the Re-
public in as great degree.
We trust the hour is not far distant, when
France shall join hands with the United States,
and the latter congratulate her upon the
permanent establishment of free government
upon her soil.