The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-14
Tho Future OF France-Can the Republic be
Esi ablishedS

some of the most distinguished and expe-
rienced statesmen of that country support 1t
| or are disposed to give 1t q fair trial. NJ.
Theirs, the actual President, has sclemnly de-
clared that he will be faithful to the republic;
ard there is no reason to doubt his sincerity.
| There Is nothing in his conduct so far to JUS
| tify suspicion. Having been monarchist
and the Prime Minister Of Louis Philippe IL
not necessarily ground for an argument that
he is a monarchst still or that he will betray
the republic. He who wrote the 'History of
the Consulate and Empire" who has seen
all the revolutions and governmental expert
ments in France since the old monarchy was
broken up, who has taken prominent part in
the affairs of his country through these re-
markable changes, and who understands, per-
haps better than any other man, the condition
and necessities of France, may see now that
republic Is best-that monarchy and imperial
ism under SO many phases having failed, the
time has come to try honestly the republican
form of government. That this is the thought
and position of NJ Theirs may DO fairly In
ferred, we think, from what he has said, and
from his whole conduct since he has been In
power.
Then NJ. Theirs holds, probably, tho
destiny of France In his hand. His command
ing position as President, the influence he has
over the National Assembly, and the necessity
| which all conservative men feel of sustaining
him through the present crisis of the country,
will enable him to carry out his purpose in
spite of the rivalry and plotting OF factions
No doub. the people of France see, as the
rest of the world sees, tina: he is the right
man in the right place jus. at this critical
period, and, consequently, will give him their
confidence. The plots and schemes Of the
different Bourbon, Oreanist aud Bonaparte
factions, which under other circumstances
might be dangerous, will rather tend to
strengthen bis government and help to estab-
lish republic.
Let US glance at the situation Of the impe-
rialst and monarchical factions. The ex-Em-
peror Napoleon brought upon the country the
most terrible disaster in Its history. Never
before has France been so Inundated as by
the war which he and bis imperialist friends
precipitated with Prussia. TIE republicans of
France, with very few exceptions, opposed
this step. They will never forgive him. They
can now appea! effectively to toe sense Of the
nation in showing that they were right and
that the Emperor and his satellites committed
a grievous fault--a fault which, in view Of its
dreadful consequences, amounts almost to
crime. How can the French people overlook
this? Besides, they must see, now that they
have become sobered by the fearful reality of
their situation, ow that they ore forced to
become serious, that Napoleon was vision
airy theorist and mere actor. He was q
General Boum on q large scale, an opera
bonDe performer on the stage Of national
affairs He never could divest himself Of that
character. 1t was mere acting, and childish
acting at that, when he spoke OF his little
boy, the Prince Imperial, as having received
his 'baptism OF fire. from being present with
his father in the commencement Of the war
This was an insult to the common sense of
Frenchmel, for every one knew that the child
could have nothing to do with the fighting of
battles and tina. both he and his father were at
safe distance from danger. But such bonn
bast and use of glittering phrases were char
acteristic of Napoleon. He was never sim
cere-always an actor-and on all occasions
treated the French people as children who
would be 'tickled by straw" But the
French through fatal experience have become
more serious. They are not likely to accept
again the opera boafs ex-Empcror. Nor do
we think they viii 60 back to imperial rule
| either under the regency or his son, at least
| rot for the present, and unless some astound-
ing revolution should bring this family in the
foreground again. That mighty structure OF
Bonapartism which the first Napoleon erected
was RACED to the foundation in the late war.
1t fell with the Third Napoleon at Sedan
We do not lose sight of the fact that there
is large party of imperialists or Bonapartsts
| in France, and that some of the principal
generals now in the army owe their elevation
to Napoleon. The COMMANDMENT Chief. Mar
shall MacMahon, is one OF these; but, if we
mistake not, this honest old hero loves his
country more than the Bonapartes, and will
support the existing republican government as
long as it can maintain ITSELF His refusal to
become a candidate for the Assembly shows
that he is not disposed to mcddle with poll
tics and that he will do his duty to the actual
government. 1t is known, too, that Bism arck
and the imperial government of Germany, as
well as several Of the other dynastic govern
ments Of Europe, favor the restoration Of the
empire. The French people, and particularly
the republicans entertain feeling of revul-
sion, no doubt, to government which their
btterest enemies wish to restore. II il no
recommendation TO the Bonapartes that Bis
marck wishes TO see them in power again.
The Papal party in France, especially the
Catholic hierarchy, may deeirs the resto.
ration Of the empire, because that sus-