The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-06

the war, and it has not shown enough of the
elements of permRnence TO exert upon the
rural districts that powerful moral influence
which in France exercises such unuuestioned
control over elections. Its only hope was in
firm and resolute unity, and in determna-
ton to cast aside all personal considerations
and postpone oil feuds until after the war
But since, at this most critical period, the
hysterical circular of Mr.. Gambetta has shown
to the world how little of harmony or of dis
cipline exists in the innermost circles of the
administration, it would now be marvellous
if the candidates of this distracted party
should be elected to a ma iority of seats in the
Constituent Assembly.
The decree of the Bordeaux Government
excluding from the deputation all members of
hitherto reigning families, and all those who
have held office under the late Imperial Gov
eminent, is a violent and wholly uniustifable
attempt to obviate the natural effect of Re-
publican dissensions by prescribing TO the
people of France what votes they shall cast
Mr. Gambetta assumes that France is now
republic; that the question of her future des
tiny is already decided that an Assembly is to
be called together TO approve what has been
done by the actual Government, and perform
various acts of special legislation under the
supervision Of that Government. He therefore
regards any candidacy in opposition to this
view as absolute treason against the estab-
lished Constitution of the country, and adopts
in the cause of liberty the repressive system
of the worst days of the Empire. It is easy
to see what powerful and vindichve spirit
of hostility this will at once awaken among the
adherents of all the old political parties The
Prefects of the Empire were among the most
wealthy and prominent citizens of their de-
partments, generally men of no strong politi-
cal convictions, but naturally inclined by tenn
perament and habit to accept existing facts
and work in harmony with do f'act0 govern
ments. The Government of National Defense
has thus far had no obstacles thrown in its
way by this class of persons. On the contrary
they have almost universally seconded the
efforts of the Ministry to maintain the mill
tary force and the civil administration at the
highest point of efficiency since the war
began. The manifestation of Bonapartist
sympathies in the forthcoming elections, SO
far from being prevented by this shallow de-
vice, will be inevitably greatly increased by
the natural resentment of the persons 50
gratuitously insulted. The affront to the
Orleanists is equally uncalled for and futile.
The course of the Bordeaux faction in this
matter is one they have no right to pursue,
and if they had the right it would be most
undignifed and impolitic.
If it be true, as stated in our dispatches,
that Mr. Simon has assured the journalists of
Bordeaux, who With more discretion than
their rulers have protested against this
tyrannical decree, that the Government of
Paris does not approve it, and will not re-
cognize it, this incident only more clearly
shows how desperate and dangerous is the
audacity of the Gascon fraction of the ad-
ministration. Unfortunately, this exhibition
of Mr.. Gambetts's incapacity, while ii may
vindicate the action of the Paris Govern
ment, cannot prevent the Republican cause
from suffering severely in the important
contest of this week. A house half built,
and divided against itself, has little prospect
of completion.