The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-05-30
THs SITUATION nj FaAsas ss

could NOT Ts1t ,hG in MON Sruncektdtn
positioH ttSn Ahe is ko:1sts* For the
moment, alt factions faltes3 q sneysaad
surprising sifnSsion confrobSS the stk6k-
Cling aspiranM for .powsr. MaEahai
MaoMahon, representing no phase nof
the national thought, committed neither
by his pass career nor by direct pledges
to any particular line OF policy, is sud
denly made the custodian OF the Ma
tional Executive. The Right. unable to
Install kinr, have resolved to place the
Presidency in the hands Of a military
man possessing the confidence of the
people md the affection OF the army.
For tho moment, the situation seems be.
wildering; but it is certain that the Lett
in the Assembly will become unit
under NJ. Thiers and Ii. Gambetta, and
will form the most powerful opposition
yet organized at Versailles. It is plain
that the election Of Marshal MacMahon
i, but temporary expedient-indesd.
the only one that would not have preoi-
plated a civil war and delivered the
country over to the rage Of internal
strife. President, MacMahon finds him.
self the head Of q governments which
does not represent the national will, and
which has weakened at every election for
deputies. Those who sustain him. are
divided ianaobG Themselves, while. those
who oppose him unite in but one CRY:
permanent repnblicl,' 1t is highly
prebable that the republic will gain, By
the neH Presidency. NJ. Theirs will go
from the palace to, the tribune, and his
splendid oratory will again' swny the
Assembly. All compromises Between
him and tue Republicans are at an end.
Marshal MaoMahon will discover that
he has undertaken task which has no
prospect OF an immediate settlement,
and in which he eau only be ruler by
becoming dictator. Thus nothing de-
finite has transpired, and we shall have
to await the arrival of fresh intelligence
before we can pronounce accurately on
the peculiar phases Of the situation. It
may be assumed, however. that there
will be general ontcry in Paris against
military President. Even when the
exlgencies OF war required TINT General
Troohu should assume the Presidency of
the Provisional Government, he was u.s.
sailed In every Republican gathering in
the capital, and his usefulness greatly
impaired by the bitter opposition of the
Jacobin chiefs. He did not wie!d his
power longer than five months, and
passed from fair reputation Into an
unmerited obloquy. Marshal MaoAIa-
bon never placed his popularity in
greater peril than when he accepted the
position rendered too difficult for such
an astnte but trimming statesman as nj :.
Theirs. We repeat, therefore, that the
republic has become stronger in the fact
that the only possible solution is the
dissolution of the Assembly as whole
or in its gradual renewal by thirds. An
appeal to the people would give an
overwhelming majority for the republic.
Hence, if the popular will is to be con-
suited, the Right have committed a
suicidal act; but if the fortunes OF France
are to be decided by coup d'eau, the
ultimate result will be- prolonged civil
war. It is singular fact that France
and Spain should both be confronted BY
powerful monarchical opposition-one
in the form Of turbulent Assembly and
the other Of a Carlist tinsurrection. Spain
purged her Cortes and the people elected
q body almost entirely Republican.
France has not purged her Assembly,
but when she does, will the monarchists
there, as in Spain, infest the mountain
fastnesses and themselves begin mill
tary struggle for domination? The era
OF peace and good will among men 30
ardently promised by the Vienna exhibi-
ton. seems to be making progress in q
negative direction.-Ne,oY FORK Herald.
IHE LEGISLATIVE INVESTIGATING Con-.
AIrTEE. E.-Pursuan to adjournment, the
legislative committee Of investigation,