Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-03-21
POOR FRANCE.

very grave one. Although two thousand
millions Of francs out Of the FIVE thou
sand millions stipulated have been paid,
together with all interest due, to Ger
many, yet danger still lies not only in
foreign but in domestic sources. The
Francois, one of the few moderate and
well-informed Of the Paris papers, says;
The state of the mind Of certain quar-
tiers of Paris, and the disposition of the
population, are of nature to inspire
the liveliest apprehensions. The indi-
viduals arrested last summer, who are
now returning from the hulks, manifest
the most desperate designs against the
the present political order Of things.
Those workmen who are content to re-
sumo work are subject to threats and
violence from those who will not work
If the latter meet with an operative who
has remained faithful to his employers,
escaped from the Commune, and
refused to take part in the insur
rection, they make him an object
of o1ious persecution, treat him as
y spy, aud tire ten him with
death. But what is being done to cor,
rect the evils which lie at the root of
these disturbances? The National As
sembly, convened year ago for the sole
purpose Of concluding peace, is still in
session, and prolongs its own existence,
souabblng with the President, thwart-
ing his measures, and wasting their time
by factious movements in favor of Roy
nlists, Orleanists, Bonapartists, Repub-
licans or Democrats Its mission might
have been fulfilled by two or three de-
crees fixing the ways and means for
raising the war indemnity and paying
the interest thereon. 1t might then
have revised the election laws, and the
whole might have been done in month,
If the time had been properly employed.
The assembly should have then pro-
nounced its own dissolution and have
caused itself TO be replaced by real
constituent assembly, elected, not for
temporary purpose, but TO give to
France definite constitution. Instead
of this, what has the Assembly done2 A
number Of things, good perhaps In
themselves, but nine-tenths Of them at
least were not urgently called for. On
reading the reports of its proceedings,
one would say that the members were
busy killing time. One day the discus
sion is about returning to Paris; another
day it is about prosecuting certain jour
mails; another, it is the censure of some
member who has spoken unexpectedly
of the President or of the Assembly.
The Courier du Hare suggests that all
thi, might be remedied by compelling
these $50 honorable gentlemen to pay
their own expenses, instead of paying
Them what is called an indemnity for
their services. 1t feels confident that
such a measure would dispense them in
week. President Theirs is mainly occu-
pied in playing of one party against
another. in order TO maintain his own
position; and hence he does not venture
10 originate any great comprehensive
scheme for the settlement OF the
nation. supposing he has the ability
10 do so. He is only half supported by
the men whom he calls Ministers, and
there really seems TO be danger Of col
lapse from the general incompeiency OF
all, or of any one in particular, to Crap
pie with the difficulties OF the situation.
Ii is well known that the Cabinet of
Berlin is preparing for such an event,
and the fall Of Theirs would, perhaps,
be followed by German re-occupation
of France, and by domestic commissions
Of which no one could foretell the result
Yet, with these dreadful contingencies
before their eyes, the representatives OF
the nation continue wrangling with each
other and with the President, whom they
have all but deposed on more than one
occasion. Trade and business are Ian
gushing, and capital is idle, because
there is no confidence in the stability of
the Governmental else it finds its way
abroad, as many thousands Of the best
artisans are doing, to the great and ire
parable detriment of the country.