The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-04-15

Before the conquering Teutons have fairly re-
tired from France, the struggle commences De-
tween contending factions. grasping to control
the Government, or rather we should say-to
construct a Government. For France. which has
experienced every form of Government known to
civilized and savage nations, is now floating ON
the current OF events without any Government at
all. Each dynasty or party that has ever ruled
her in the past is eager to again snatch the helm
of state.
First we have the Bourbons. a family which
has been conspicuous in the annals OF the coun-
try since the beginning Of the fourteenth century
coming to the throne in the person OF the gallant
Henry of Navarro in 1880. Six of his descend
ants in the direct line occupied the throne oil
France, the last of whom, Charles ", was ex-
PEELED at the revolution of 1880. His son, Henry
Charles Ferdinand, Duke OF Bordeaux, Count de
Chambord, is the present representative of the
House of Bourbon, and l~egitimist heir to the
throne, under the title of Henry v. The Count
is now fifty years old, and has generally resided
in Switzerland, where he has a chateau, and
whence he recently addressed the people of "my
France over whom he claims the Divine right
to rule. But the probabilities of bis ever ascend
ing the throne are very remote, though he is not
without adherents among the old nobility.
Next we have the Orleans family, a younger
branch of the Bourbons. descending from the
Duke of Orleans, the brother Of Louis XIV.
The first on the throne was Louis Philippe, in
1880, who was driven from France in l84S, after
a reign Of eighteen years. His grandson, Louis
Philippe, Count de Paris. now thirty-two years
Of age, is heir to the throne. There is a party
in favor Of the Orleanists, and during the war
they have endeavored to take a part, but have
been repealed by the Provisional Government.
But IN reality, the Bonaparte dynasty is the
most powerful in France to-day, despite the many
blunders of the past. The party is active and it's
leaders are unscrupulous, and have almost the
entire ignorant peasantry on their side, as well
as the influence of the priesthood. Doubtless
Bismarck would secretly approve the restoration
of the Empire as a guarantee of stable Govern
ment and a real peace, for a time at least.
The dynasty is represented by the lad of four
teen, now living with his mother at Chiselhurst,
who amid the roar Of cannon and the rejoicings
of Paris was christened Napoleon Eugene Louis,
Prince Imperial. The adhcrents of the Empire
do not despair of its restoration under the re-
gency of Eugene.
The Republican party, composed of the educated
classes, residing mostly in the cities, is repre-
scented by the Legislative Assembly and the Pro-
visional Government. Recognized by Germany
who has treated with them for peace, and with
the veteran Theirs at their head, they have the
upper hand at present; but their hold upon the
country is by no means secure.
Last of all and most unfortunate for France il
the party known as the Red Republicans, or
socialists, whose strength lies in the dangerous
classes of the cities, the communists, revolution
lists, demagogues and fanatics. These are equally
opposed to the old dynasties and the Republican
party of order.
With all these antagonistic elements struggling
for supremacy, there is truly but little prospect
of a speedy settlement of the Government Of
France on a permanent basis. The country is
terribly weakened by the war. In the short
space of SIX months the Germans have captured
800 900 of her soldiers, 5000 cannon, and vast
quantities of the munitions Of war, not to speak
of the devastation of the country by the ravages
OF conqueriDg armies.
But France has seen dark days in her history
before now. She has suffered the horrors of civil
war and been rent by social revolution she has
been cursed by imbecile rulers and overrun by
foreign enemies; her people have suffered the
bitter extremes of misery and misrule. But
Phenix-like, she has always risen again from her
ashes with renewed strength. Has she still suf-
ficient vitality to recover from the crushing blow
which she has now received? To the credit Of
the conquerors it may be said that we but seldom
hear from them any triumphant boasts over the
downfall Of their old enemy. But Bismarck il
reported to have recently made use Of the follow
ing language to a member Of the Spanish En-
bassy The Latin race is used up; it has
accomplished great things, but now its destiny is
at an end. The Germanic race is young, vigor-
Gus, as full of virtue and initiative as you wore
formerly. 1t is to the northern peoples that the
future belongs, and they have just commenced to
play the glorious part which they are destined TO
fulfill for the good of humanity" These are
proud words. Napoleon the First and the French
nation which he led TO conquest, at one time
thought themselves the children of. destiny and
the chosen agents of God, when in fact they were
not far from destruction. Let Germany ponder
the lesson.