New-York tribune., 1871-01-03
THE NATIONAL DEFENSE.
GUIzOT, THE HISTORIAN. ON THE DANGERS
OF FRANCE.

|
sENsIoNs WHICH RUIN FRANCE NOT LESS
| THAN THE INyADERS-NO PEACE POSSIBLE
| WITHOUT STABLE GOVERNMENT
| NJ. Guizot, the historian, from his retire.
men has addressed long and able document 10 the
| Committee OF the National Defense, urging the I'M
mediate election Of National Assembly ana pointing
out the difficulties and necessities for the estabnshment
Of an authorized Government. 1t has been translated
| and s published in Maemikdn's Magazine for the cur.
rent month Below give the main points OF Interest
From nv distant home and watch the terrible
strusse Of our time It is now carried by the mem
hers Government Of the National Deiense Iney
t is an honor TO them first have taken It and since
then to have earned right to keep It. when france ad
of France they undertook to save her from f9rega reign
and from anarchy what nk an Of the Itaon
country and OF these, It's rulers without proouno an;
tbeir atentSn than those given by the experience
long life and the seabnegation Of approaching death
have carried on on the war without appealing to revo
tonary passions and have also be tea hsy Sse
full tnor ilusve They have rekndled the
Tch Of naSS 19e asnay fS1 no%n
capable of rendering good service; ~.
ton but il we take into consideration all that they
have DONE and all the difficulties of their position we
courageous citizens. We must not, however, deceive
ourselves by thinking that in the existing state OF az
country never has, and never can have any Other
|
il can be had with honor country desires But
nor can the neutral Powers aid unless there
is complete aud strong government with good chance
the treaties entered into The present government has
neither this strength nor this promise OF % e ~
blockade Of Paris to cut itself into two parts one iof
may be the understanding the members OF these
two parts Of the government which are separated D so
wide distance is certain that they have not always
the political aspect. The spirit OF order rules IN
the government of Paris but the government OF the
! shown a certain degree OF weakness.
Neither ought 10 disregard the fact that IN the
actual condition OF things, and by the division OF te
Government between Paris aud Tours rests with one
ortwo, or three persons-Gen iroch NJ Jnes "Tis, % M
Gambetta, some other-withont preliminary uiscnS E
sion, without publicity almost alone ana III virtue vi MS
opinion and WILL to decide the gravest questiOns
to take the most important resoluti0ns questions anu
resolutions involving peace tepce en- mdsSe or
national loan. What Is this but another form OF repo
sibe personal government the decisions OF which
neither be discussed nor called in question by the
| AHAuoNAL ASSEMBLY DEMANDED.
Evidently there is nothing but a National Assembly
freely elected by the whole nation which can put an end
to such imperfect irregular and precarious condition.
National Assembly by its discussions and decisions
| would make those in whom power ia now vested its
responsible agents. and would also that RESPONSE
bility and give the Government the unity support
strength and general recognition which itneeds needs
them both abroad and at home. In war and In peace
What we want now what we ask from the Republic is
that which formerly demanded Of "A constitutional
| monarchy-llamely, sefgoyernIDent Tor the country.
Again. it nations that make treaties and in their
face with each other and their several
must speak and act with the same degree or authority
In present position one OF two things must happen
either shall succeed In making peace, peace that VIII
not be humiating, shall carry war-a national
II succeed in making peace, even after we nave
Would be childish to conceal the fact that peace will be
accompanied by very sharp and bitter conditions Tor
bad DAYS thef Joy anu 90 tSsr Toi and how to
| will fortitu needed
this be acquired only by sernpuious examination Gi
facts and full knowledge OF all the circumstances which
bear upon them This will he the work OF the National
Assembly. 1t will deliberate with such degree OF pub
cty or privacy it may deem lifting for the subject
and the occasion when has realized the neces
sty sacrifices part it will possess sufficient
authority to make the nation accept the sacrlce win
murInurng, though not without sorrow But II, on
the other hand the honor and safety of the nation can,
bitter war, the OF whole nation against foreign
armies then where, except IN the entire Tree nation can
we IND the resources ana ehthusasu necessary ior SC
a struggled Where except in National Assembly when
can make presence felt and its voice heard in every
part Of the natl01-WheIe else say shai We hd any
Tailyngp point any center OF action; and now Will he
possible without them TO carry out the national WIFI II
IL not now as IL mas neeh III other ages We ave noC
appeal the theories and passions OF seots or parties
setting Catholic against Protestant or black against
white. There are far greater complications ana Glcu,
ties. Unenghtened public opinion must be enlightened
and formed national feeling which is Inclined some
times go astray sometimes to grow weak, must he
directed and sustained. When nation is going TO carry
on OuhdHce, 1t is absolutely necessary that 1t
fsoud have a representative government and therefore
the presence and continuous action OF National Assem-
bly, are now indispensable conditions of success.
Why, then does the present Government refuse to grant
this Why not accept with a good grace anSGessi'{ {
meni | put one side all dishonorable motives; |
do not suppose that any Of the members ." reject
deposed by it, and from the desire TO keep that almost
undiSpuled and absolute personal power with which
they clothed. such motive would be equally ull-
worthy OF men Of high character aud OF the work
which they havo taken upon themselves.
They have undertaken glorious and difficult work; they
must not bring To II any aims, sentiments, or motives
which unworthy Of That work; they must not hcsi
tot. af IN adj auV
Hu the fact Is that do not see what sacrifices such
men NJ. Jules Fayre NJ. Gambetta NJ. Ernest Picard,
they sammsned and deberated with Nationa Assem-.
| obtained all they now possess by open discussion
the bar, or through the press They unite
all those qualities and conditions which insure
parliamentary government retstabished in France
It's fun vgor and reality they will have to act with more
eautioni they VII have 10 face discussion ana to meet
opposition, and there will be more chances against them
than there But these the very things that
the country has need OF and expects ITS rulers must be
compelled 10 undertake the abos OF foresight and pre-
caution, TO pass through all the trials and all the
rsks which show their character and the worth Of
a free government. These men well fitted for 80
government in France without further delay and TO
bear the burden Of it If they to reap its fruits.
DIFFICULTY FORMING AN ASSEMBLY.
Our present government is republican In FORM Our
principal public men are for the most part, Rcpub-
llcans-not Republicans OF the day and hour and
occasion, but Republican, upon principle and Of long
standing. There many kinds OF Republicans but /
will only aude to three There are, rst those wise and
tudciOus who accept the existing state OF society,
and wish TO change nothing more than s principles and
form OF government There secondly, the fanatics,
who nbued with the doctrines and passions OF the Re
public OF and lastly there UtOpian Republicans,
who desire only "A republican form OF government,
but social innovations which would only be possible II
human nature and human society were otherwise than
God has made them and find them. have nothing
TO say at present the fanatics OF 1892 the Uo
plans the social revolution of the future am address
Inc wise and prudent Republicans and them only,
and IL Is with them that / argue the question
M general electiOn and the calling together OF