The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-05
The Reopenins Of tho French Assembly.

The ReOpeniug Of tho French Assembly.
Yesterday the French Assembly was recon
vensd and the sittiugs were resumed at Yer
sailles. The Presidents Message, the outlines
Of which We had in advance on Saturday last,
and on which we commented al the time, was
sent 10 and read. II is a coincidence not nm
worthy Of passing notice that the United
States Congress and the National Assembly of
the French republic should have resumed
their sittings on the same day. The Message
of President Grant and the Message of Presi-
dent Theirs are both of them entitled to be
spoken OF as important political documents,
and by statesmen the wide world over they will
be read eagerly and with interest. President
Grant, in . clear, simple, intelligent
and satisfactory way, speaks the sentiments of
the people Of the United States. Would that
we could say so much for the message of
President Theirs. The republic of the United
States, as is evidenced by all the official
reports this morning, marches on in her tri-
umphant career towards the achievement Of
grander victories than she has ever yet won.
On the opening day Of the French National
Assembly signs were not wanting that the So
called republic under the Presidency Of M.
Theirs is trembling in the balance 1t is our
opinion that the new French republic might
have had brighter prospects before it If Presi-
dent Theirs had pursued wiser and more
decisive policy. 1t Is difficult to-day to
believe that the French republic can last over
two months. No man can tell what President
Theirs means. He has found it impossible
to restore the House Of Orleans he is not
much in favor OF the restoration of the
far as we know, he is doing nothing, to estab-
lish the republic on a solid and durable basis.
His do-nothng policy has been one long, con-
tinuous blunder. The French people in the
cities and in the rural districts wait to-day
with less hope and confidence than they had
chair. What is coming they cannot tell. What
to do they do not know. The entire nation is
to certain extent paralyzed. Paris is still a
dishonored city. It's theatres and hotels and
palaces are empty. Its boulevards are de-
serted. It's citizens are idle. The indemnity
mOHcy, ~ 10 tEucs mas uccu IdituIuiiy pau 10
Germany; but the treatment to which the
German soldiers who are still on French soil
are subjected is such that the public sentiment
of Germany is aroused, and Bismarck, who ad-
mits the justice of the public complaint, is re-
ported to be making arrangements for q
fresh occupation of some Of the northern
provinces. In addition to all this President
Theirs, by ordering or conscnting to the recent
executions, has made himself and his govern
ment contemplate, IL not cruel, In the eyes,
not Of Frenchmen only, but Of reading and
thinking men all over the civilized world
The present prospective troubles of France
are many. Our present and prospective
troubles are few. II 10 not for us to blame
France SO much as pity her; and while we
pity France we ought not to forget that we
owe much TO an all-wisc Providence, who has
given us more goodly heritage in more
pleasant places. The time must come when
our government shall moro and more be the
model to Europe; but 80 far as we can Judge
from the fresh experiment which France is
making Europe is not yet ripe for the enjoy
! ment Of the blessings of republican insiitu-
| tions.
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