The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-21

INIT Scott declined the offer because negro
o.uality with white men in Mexico was incom-
natible with negro slavery in the United States.
Now, with this difficulty removed, we dare say
that the march of General Sheridan, under
tho flag of annexation, from Matamoros to
the Mexican capital, would be more of a
holiday excursion than, after leaving Atlanta,
was Sherman's famous march to the sea-"
General Grant, we know, was in favor of
armed Intervention against the French in
Mexico; but we should like to know what for,
II, In the place Of the law and order which the
French established over that people, we have
nothing better to give than Mexican anarchy?
The French Republic and the Position Of
President Thiers-European and American
IDEAS Of RepubIicnnism.
Can the republic of France stand? Gould
any other form of government be permanent
should the present republic fall? These i'm
portant questions are anxiously weighed by
all thoughtful and patriotic Frenchmen and by
statesmen all over the world. We'll may they
be seriously pondered for not only is the fu-
ture of Franco great nation Of forty mil
lions of people-involved, but the destiny of
Europe also hangs in a great measure upon
them. 1t is the Importance of these questions,
too, as affec ting the democratic or republican
aspiratio of the people on one hand and the
dynssties and aristocracies on the other, which
makes the solution so difficult and keeps Eu-
rope in state of political and revolutionary
fermentation.
President Theirs represents in himself the
fears and hopes of the different parties and the
uncertainty Of the future. Never republican
at heart, perhaps, he appears to honestly sup
port the republic, which the force Of circum-
stances rather than general public sentiment
inaugurated and because he cannot see that
any other form of government could be per-
manently established Then Theirs has out
lived the period of such small ambition as
would be satisfied with initiating the role Of
Monk. He is an eminent statesman and his
torian and more illustrious than any of the
scions of monarchy who seek his favor. He
is an old man, and has not many years to live.
Like WOlsey, he has sounded nearly all the
depths OF honor, and has nothing more to
desire than the good of his country. No man
is infallblc. and he may be mistaken in his
views or policy, but there can be no doubt
that he has the welfare of France at heart.
The impression has prevailed chat he would
prefer what is termed constitutional mon
archy under the Orleans dynasty, and he
thinks, probably, that would be best for
France at this time. We do not say that he
is right in entertaining that opinion, but he
has been educated in that school, his mind has
become imbued with the idea, and it is not easy
for such AN old monarchical statesman to
change his views. Still, he is President of
the republic, has engaged to support the re-
publican government, and is sincerely endea-
voring to do so as far as he can. Whatever
bias OF mind be may have toward an Orleans
constitutional monarchy, the position he has
accepted, bis oath of Office and the political
difficulties arising from the rivalry of the old
Bourbons, imperalists and Orleanists, compel
him to be, Tor the present, at least, the sup
porter of the republic.
But while Theirs endeavors to sustain the
republic from sense of duty and because Of
the existing dynastic rivalries and difficulties
of France, he does not act with the vigor and
ambition OF sincere and devoted republican
not as Gambetta or Victor Hugo would act, or
as the old republican chiefs of 1871 acted.
We do not refer here to their impractcable
theories or to excuses which the civilized
world condemns, but to their earnest
and devoted republicanism. Theirs has
nothing Of that in him. He is
simply a republican by force Of circumstances
from the position he occupies, and from ex-
pediency, though, we believe, conscientiously
performing his duties as such in his character
of President of the republic. Had he been an
ingrained and vigorous republican he would
not have threatened to resign when be met
with obstacles in the Assembly He would
have made The establishment Of the French re.
public his highest ambition, and would moi
have thou gbt Of yielding to any fac
tion or combination of factions. Some
.hing may be attributed to his natural
weakness his great age and egotism still be
has lacked the energy of sincere and an
earnest republican leader. Had he possessed
that there would be little doubt of establish
ing the republic.
1t is remarkable fact, too, that the
National Assembly is in much the same situa-
ton as President Theirs. The majority
is not republican, though they were elect ID
to represent the republic. The greater
part of the members are imperialists, Orlean-
lists and legitimists, but they do not have a
common object in view. If they had there
would be probably little chance for the repub-
lie just now. The rivalry of these factions
and their hostility to one another
gives the republic and republicans in the
Assembly what strength they have.