New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-27
v. TgJEES AND FRANCE.

simultaneously with the news that the quarrel
between NJ. Theirs and the Assembly ap-
proaches a crisis, we receive full abstracts by
mail of the Presidents Address which has
given occasion to this complication in European
politics. It is surely not an inccndiary dOcu-
ment. The Chief Executive refers at some
| length to the financial situation, and from the
/ gratifying progress of the nation III repairing
| the disasters of the war draws the conclusion
| that France needs nothing now but rest and
| order to regain her place among the Powers OF
Europe. He does not favor a formal declara-
ton of the Republic as the permanent govern
ment of the country but he frankly avOws
his preference for that political system, and he
calls upon patriots of all parties to lend their
efforts to the consolidation of the form of rule
which now legally exists. "TO wish for any
thing different he says, would be to wish
" for a fresh revolution. France is not isolated,
"and it depends upon herself whether she
shall be on the contrary surrounded by trust
"iDg and useful friends. If she is peaceful
under a Republic she win ALLEVIATE no one
" if she is agitated under tOttering monarchy,
she will see q void created around her" To
the Assembly he RENTS the initiative in the
formation of a regular government and the
settlement of constitutional questions.
The dissensiOns which have sprung up over
the proposed reply to this cautious and sensi-
BILE address have hitherto seemed at this dis
lance from the scene of action far from suf-
fcient to justify the uneasiness which prevails
in Paris and in London. But it is becoming
evident that the situation of parties in the
Assembly is after all full of danger. SO long
as NJ. Theirs could command the support of
the different Republican factions of the Left,
and win few allies from tic ranks of the
more moderate Conservatives on the opposite
side of the Chamber, he was secure of his
position; and meantime, as recent elections
have shown, the country has made steady
progress in liberal ideas, and the chances for
the permanence of the Republic have appeared
every day better and better. 1t is hard for an
American to realize that one aged statesman,
who for more than twenty years has taken no
part in political affairs who is Individually
the preference of only small minority of his
countrymen, who though able is certainly no
genius, and though patriotic has no special
power of inspiring patriotic sentiments and in
stigating noble impulses, should stand
as NJ. Theirs does, the sole defender
of the peace of France if not of
Europe. 1t is one Of the msfortunes entailed
upon unhappy France by the repressions of
the Third Napoleon that the downfall of the
Empire has left so few men capable of hold
ing the reins of power, even during period
of profound peace and comparative prosperity,
and that in the chaos of parties 1T
should only be possible to preserve
semblance of order by neutralizing the
antipathies of factions with a President who
is neither q pronounced monarchist nor an
earnest Republican.
There are some indications that this system
of checks and balances may shortly come TO a
disastrous end. But the action in the Assem-
bly, Yesterday, will reassure the friends of the
present Government. The report of the ma
iority of the Committee on the Address to
the President is defiant and hostile docu-
ment, as might have been expected; that
Committee was nominated on motion Of the
Right, in an interval Of excitement and when
the Left was temporarily reduced by the ABB
sence of delegates. Yesterday, in full ses-
sion, the Assembly, by a majority OF twenty
four, voted to postpone consideration OF the
report until next Thursday. Naturally, this
result is accepted as a favorable indication for
the Government; and if, as may be expected,
a similar majority is~secured for the Govern
ment when the report comes up for adoption,
the crisis may be considered as safely tided
over for the present. 1t is clear, however, that
the establishment Of responsible ministry
will come out of all this turmoil. II seems
almost equally certain that M. Theirs will
secure four years more of power.
On the other hand, the various subdivisions OF
the Right, which have abstained from making
an open fight against NJ. Theirs so far only
because no one of them was ready or strong
enough to sustain candidate for his place.