, 1872-12-11

The election Of this Committee attested the ma
]or1ty OF the Right (Which is mainly composed Of
| Monarch1sts), when acting together, and which
! mas opposed II. Theirs since he has declared
hmBeH IN favor Of the Republic as permanent
| form Of government.
At the close OF the Franco-Prugsian war, II,
Gambetta was in actual possession Of what Coy
ernment there YES left in France. He and his
coadjutors were un1uaitiedly in favor Of tho a.
tahliahment Of q Republic; but tho EXPRESSION
| OF the popular sentiment in tho election to the
Assembly, which followed, vas adverse to the
Radicals. 4 compromise was effected under
what is known aa the "Pact Of Bordeaux !"
which provided that the final settlement Of the
form Of government for France should be post
poned until after the country shall have recover
ed itself from the presence Of its conquerezs.
N. Thiera was then called to the Executive
chair by the Conservative majority with whom he
ident, but has been a President without
Constitution, and with only q Provisional
Government. The Commune then had to be
dealt with, and the suppression Of the Paris
and the Assembly TO the exclusion Of dissen-
sions. After the Commune came problems in
taxation, in the payment Of the debt to Prussia,
in establishing treaties with foreign countries,-
an Of which were Of such pressing importance
as to stife personal differences. But "a these
questions wero nearly disposed OF, the greater
problem Of determining the permanent form Of
government arose, and Ii. Gambetta took ad-
vantage OF the recent elections to vacancies in
the Assembly for advancing his radical ideas Of
Republicanism. II. Thiers took no meas
ures to suppress these utterances, and
the Conservative part of the Assembly
took him to task Immediately upon
the opening Of the session. This YVES the prac-
Thiora found he was not in accord with either
division Of the Houae. In deserting his former
monarchical preferences, be alienated the support
OF the Conservatives, who called him to his
present position. But in declaring himself in
favor OF the Republic he failed to attract the full
confidence OF the Liberals, who feel that the Re-
public which he would favor wonld be too con-
seryative to answer their demands. Such sup
port as he has received, however, during tho
present session, has come from the Liberals. He
has also received letters Of approval from the
provincial cities, to which the Conservatives
have likewise objected.
In this way has tho question OF determining
the permanent form Of government been forced
upon the Assembly. There is little doubt that
Gambetta has indicated tho only way Of settling
it. This is dissolution of the Assembly, which
which is only provisional, and m appeal to the
people for the election Of Constitutional Con-
vention. There are two reasons why this plain
course is avoided. One ia found in Gambetta's
radical anteeedents and associations. The other
is the fear the part Of the Conservatives that,
though representing the majority Of the people
At the time they we're elected, they would now
find themselves in the minority. II the Asaem-
bly, shall maintain it's opposition to an appeal,
no permanent form Of government can
be determined without incurring the danger
OF q revolution, for which France
always seems to ba ripe. It is probab1e, there
fore, that II. Theirs and the Committee Of Thirty
will agree upon some changes in the Cabinet,
the principle Of responsible Ministry, and Ger
tain quasi-constitutona rules that will postpone
the definite settlement Of the permanent form I
Of government. A series Of such compromises |
md poHtponement may result in unity of son-
timent between the people and the Assembly, |
IN the course Of time, that will enable France to !
acquire permanent and constitutional govern
nent without b1oods11ed. Otherwise, the pres
ant compromise may be but a postponement OF
he crash which such {. man as II. Gambetta On |
he Left. or General Changarnier, On the Right,
night bring on ut almost any time.
THE PROPOSED INCREASE OF THE NAVY.
The action Of the House Of Representatives
n amending the bill for the construction OF ten
By reducing the number to six. is
7ery commendable. The construction DEPART