Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-05-29
FRANCE.


cul'l nnnrse pursued by Theirs nearly ever
Inc .D h. assumed the presidency. The
slny Zinc out of the storm, however, was
oI.' as has been usual on like occasions
iiOI rance terrific, turbulent and bois-
II .as destroying cherished landmarks,
IaOp hing the established form of |
'n5o ,rnment, running commercial and
, so, prosperity, drenching the streets.
'y'I p.ris with blood, and causing gem
% nnrost and distrust! throughout not
s, I, France, but Europe. 1t rather
0'9 ny. from the scanty. information at
',n1 70 have been a mild, gentle sun
. u'r refreshing and reassuring during |
~, sD .very stage, and, if it were ever safe
I'VE f,recast the future of France, seems /
", " a,cnr well for her people. The par
MARS of the events, connected i'm
,.1iotely with the resignation of Theirs,
~. 10 a great extent wanting, but the
,aort, of the condition of Paris and
v.,nce are satisfactory. Our dispatches
f,,m Paris, Sunday evening, more than
'rontv-four hours after the elevation of
General MacMahon to the presidency, in
.,,oo Of Theirs, state that the change
E.l been accomplished without 1.-the
SLIGHTEST disturbance, and that perfect
,rjsr prevailed throughout France. AL
tboncb it requires but slight spark to
,oncb off the magazine of French poll
,ical excitability, and produce results
t,o most dire, vet the outlook is encour-
orinc and full of hope for France The
rsdiea republicans, from whom we
riobt have naturally expected decisive
onnositiou-if not attempts at further
,syolution-acquiesce in the result, and
are disposed to give the new President q
fair field. Gambetta, one of the most
pronounced of their leaders, has issued
q manifesto, calling on his followers to
respect and obey the law and the con-
siituted authorities, while the press all
mite in recommending prudence and
wisdom on the part of the republicans,
and urging peace and a strict adherence
to The law. Such is the prospect at the
present, but where volatile France is in
tqrested, we cannot tell what day or
an hour may bring forth.
Before proceeding TO summarize the
immediate cause of this-not entirely
unlocked for, but somewhat unexpected
crisis, it may be a matter of interest
now. and in connection with future adj
vices from France, to state briefly the
political divisions in the French Assem-
5ly. The terming of parties by such
names as the Center" the Left Cen
ter Right Center" etc, Is. necessari
", confusing, and leaves no idea ON the
mind Of the political principles or affilia
tions Of the individuals 50 classified. A
general knowledge of and familiarity
with. these divisions is absolutely essen
faI to a correct understanding Of the
current news of the day. and, therefore
at the risk of repeatinga thrice told tale
we shall, as concisely as possible, give
the origin and meaning of these terms
The names are derived from the posi-
ton occupied by the members of The
same political proclivities on the floor o
the Assembly, the practice being there
as in our own Congress, for parties +
group themselves togetheras nearly a
possible. We, in speaking of our put
lie men politically, mention them as Re
uubIicans, Democrats, etc, but in Con
rro, it sometimes happens, though tn
custom ices not generally prevail, tina
the noIiticaI oailiations of member ar
referred to at on such q side of Tn
house. This has be, "ome so cnstomar
and well understood in France that II
other designations are made I." the, Assem-
bly,. by the press, or, even, in telegram
to foreign newspapers. The two ran
divisions in French politics are the Re
publcans and Monarchists, denominate'
respectively, the Left and the Right, tn
extreme left or right being the radical
Of the two parties. Acting with the Re
pubIicans are the "Left Center" who
while they accept the republic, have n
sympathy with the extreme views O
Gambctta and other leaders of the rad
Gals, and who, we are told, are ready t
repudiate any opinions entertained b
them, if, perchance, they should disco'
cr that Gambetta was of the same view
So with the Monarchists are the "Rigt
Center" who avowing their adherenc
to the principle of monarchial govern
ment, yet will not cautiously oppose IL
existing government, or engage in plo
OF conspiracies for its overthrow. IL
Conservatives, as they are sometime
called seems to be rather generic tina
a specific term, and means, sometime
opposition to THEIRS, and, at others, gel
eral opposition to extreme republicanisn
The term, in any event, seems misa
piled, unless opposition to propose
changes or refusal to change may be
designated.
In looking at the overthrow of Thiel
il is impossible not to see that it had
very foundation and cause in his oV
vaccilation and want of consistanc
Theirs was the central figure aroul
which he revolved, and his eve
thought, act and word had its rise in /
own supreme egotism. This made hi
one of the most inconsistent of pub
men, and, strange as it may be, he W
not aware of his inconsistency. A RAJ
cal one day he would advocate the me
extreme conservative measures the ne
day, and be prepared to accept and c
fend a moderate course the next, bel
equally brilliant and eloquent III his a
vocy of each. He has been everythi
by turn, and nothing long, till even
supporters have learned to distrust hi
We haze no doubt, however, that TAXI
France as it is. Phiers, with all
Inconsistency, egotism and selhshne
was true friend to the country, a
would secure the best attainable govel