The New York herald., 1873-12-08
THU NEW PLEDISClTUM CRY.
Bonapartists and Republicans
Agitatirg for an Appeal to
the French Nation.
BonapartiSt Plots and Re
publican Hopes.
NJ. Theirs Schemes and M. Rouher's--.
Prince Napoleon Again.
PARIS, Nov. II, 1873.

PARIS, Nov. II, 1873.
| Since the Count OF Chambord launched his no
surrender manifesto French political parties have
had to take what Americans call 'new de-
parturesn The royalists. unable TO restore the
King or their choice and unable to prevail on the
Count or Paris TO accept Lieutenant Generalship
OF the kingdom, have, for the most part, rallied TO
| the idea of conservative republic, which means,
! in their eyes, republic which shall have nothing
Of republicanism in it but the name, and which
shall be upset at the 1rst convenient opportunity.
On the other hand, the republicans pure, en-
boldened by the failure OF the royalist ntrigues,
| have taken their stand declaration that the
republic should be formally proclaimed as the def
mite government OF France, and that all parties
conspiring TO overthrow it in favor OF monarchi-
cal pretender should be amenable to the penalties
or high treason. The Bonapartists, who are small
/ body in the Assembly but very large faction out
or doors, at first stood aloof from the two other
parties, but since the opening Of the session they
have made common cause with the republicans,
and 1t is now certain that MN. Thiers Gambetta
ana Rouher have entered into q temporary league
and intend agitating for
PLEBIsCITUM
| Now there have been nine pI6biscites held in
France since the great revolution. In two or these
| the nation pronounced for republicanism, in the
other seven for Bonapartism and in fact it would
be shorter to say that In every one OF the nine
| Dle6iscttes an overwhelming majority or the people
| answered "Yes' to the questions put to it by the
| existing governments. OF course, NM Thiers
| aud Gampetta both feel confident that II the cour-
| try were appealed to at this crisis 1t would declare
for republicanism, and the Bonapartists are
| secretly OF the same opinion But the imperialsts
/ have ever been astute party and their plan ap-
pears to be as follows:-Once they have fairly COM
mitted the republicans to the idea OF ple6iscite
| then they will break of with them, adhere to
| Machahon, obtain two or three seats In the Ca5l-
net and bring on the plebsctte with their own
men In power to guide and manage it. To use a
legal term. this would completely change
| the venue OF the question. plebis-
| cite taken by republican government
would result in republican VOTE but plebtsctte,
| organized with M. Rouher at the Home ONCE and
a legion OF imperiast projects, mayors and minor
| officials working to cozen the constituencies.
would be as assuredy favorable to the Bonapartes
| as IL Napoleon were actually on the throne.
| 1t may be asked how the republicans should be
so blind as not to see through this plot? But they
| do see through it. NM Theirs and Gambetta are
| not dulards. They know very well that an alli-
| ance between republicans and Bonapartists can
| never be sincere; but they have great reliance on
| their own strength, and hope to defeat the Bona
| partist Vaccinations by rendering M. Rouher's,
/ anu even MdCMaHOuS, ioux tcuuIO VI OhCC ILL
possible In plain terms, having now strong ma
jority of the nation at their backs, they count on
heading the poll at most elections and, when they
| have secured working majority in the Legisla-
| ture then they will iorce MacMahon either to ac-
cept liberal Cabinet or to resign In either case
that is, whether there were republican President
| or simply republican Cabinet-a plebiscitun
would be taken on the question.
/ KING, EMPEROR OR REPUBLIc2
/ hlsoar vofn p{, p.nha tr
tainly would under these circumstances royast
or imperalist politicians would be compelled
| thenceforth to abstain from everything that re-
| semDled Q conspiracy. Such are the republican
| projects. They may succeed or they may be frus-
| trated by the superior craft OF the Bonapartsts,
but this fact is at all events positve-namely,
! that plebiscitum in some shape or other will be
| taken before another year has passed. The thing
is inevitable. 1t has become the cry OF two great
parties. 1t is mode OF settling matters which has
many attractions to the ordinary French mind !;
| for 1t is the highest acknowledgment OF and the
| best homage to popular sovereignty. Once launch
| the idea OF pleoiscitum amongst Frenchmen, and
the nation will have no rest until the p,ebiscttur.
| Is over.
PRINCE NAPOLEON AND THE PRINCE IMPERIAL.
| 1t is needless to remark that one of the chief
fomentors of the pl6biscite scheme is Prince Napo
leon. When this pushing politician issued his pro-
| rramme OF a republico Bonapartist alliance in
| September last there were many cries or indigna-
| ton from the prominent men OF the two parties
| whom it was proposed to weld together. But as
| the NEW YORK HERALD pointed out at the time,
these cries meant nothing. Prince Napoeon's
only mistake consisted in proclaimng aloud what
was being done IN secret, for that imperalists and
republicans had already coalesced or would shortly
do so was TACT that observer OF things polit-
cal could doubt. Since his letter Prince Napoleon
has been continually on the move between England
and France receiving instructions from Chisel.
hurst and interviewing the leading statesmen or
his country.
Occasionally His Imperial Highness seems to be
acting on his own impulses and in opposition to
the interests of Napoleon ILLS heir; but these
appearances must never be taken an S6rteuC.
The Prince knows better than TO dissociate his
fortunes from those OF the fatherless boy who may
some day be called Napoleon ". This lad is re-
ported to be weak and delicate, and he s the only
and the headsnp OF the imperial dynasty. II he
were to ascend the throne during his minority
Prince Napoleon would be Regent; If he were to
die unmarried or cndess Prince Napoleon would
become Napoleon V. These are prospects fair
enough to keep King Jerome's son faithful, and
throughout all the plebsctary intrgues which are
about to convulse France we may expect to see
him hustle, plot and travel, veering now towards
one party, now towards another, according to the
hazards OF the hour, but bearing always in mind
that great idee Ndpoienne, which means that
the Bonapartes should pc masters OF the French
| nation by fair means or foul.
|