New-York tribune., 1873-03-14
TIE UHITE FLAG.

tlcGS docs tndt OF tHlS
THE WHITE FLAG.
Everything seems working together against
the Monarchy in France. With clear ma
iority in the Chambers and Chief of the Ex-
ecutiYe Power whose personal inclnatlons are
entirely in their favor, the monarchists are
still unable to take any steps toward attain
ing their favorite form OF government. They
not only do not make any material progress,
but they do nothing toward placing them
selves in position to profit by possible contn-
gencics. They cannot agree among them
selves. After two years there IS as yet no sign
of an understanding, still less of a common plan
between their various sections. The chief cause
of this undoubtedly is the attitude OF the
Comte de ChambOrd, who, for the confusion
of his supporters and the advantage of mod
ern civilization, stands naturally at the head
of the party of reaction. He has deliberately
and conscientiously adopted position which
excludes the possibility of a fusion OF the
monarchical elements in France. He will not
step forward from it one inch to meet the
Princes of Orleans ard to gain their powerful
and eager support. This is in the highest de-
gree exasperating both to them and their sup
porters. While they are strainlng every nerve
to cOunteract the evident though gradual
growth of Republican sentiments among the
higher and middle classes, it is especially an
moving to see this ghost of the old regime not
only refusing TO assist them, or even to re-
main quietly in the background but, on the
contrary, insisting upon coming forward anu
frightening tmid conservatives by utterances
of medieval reaction.
lie has only recently sent great demoraliza-
ton into the Right by letter to the Bishop
of Orleans. This fiery prelate, who often has
occasion to discipline an unruly world, seems
to have lost his temper at the behavior of his
absentee King, and has written him letter
full doubtless of excellent counsel and admoni-
ton. Only brief extracts have bern published,
but these show sufficiently its spirit. The i'm
mediate occasion was probably that visit which
the Orleans princes made some weeks ago to
the Expiatory Chapel of Louis XVI. lie seems
10 have held this act of compromise up before
Henri V. as a model for his imitation ana
urged him to sacrifice some OF hls preJudlceS
for the good of France and the harmony OF
the family. But the true Bourbon, taking it
for granted that Mgr. Dupanloup refers TO the
White Flag, answers promptly that he can DO
nothing of the sort the flag represents prln-
ciple, without which he Is nothing and with
which he is everything. lie says, with the most
unaffected sincerity, that descending TO the
"bottom of his conscience he cannot find
"day OF an hour in which his exictions have
"placed anything in the way of sincere re-
"concilation.n He is glad to hear his cousins
have been TO the Chapel of the Martyr King.
He hopes it may do them good, and rather
;nsinuates that they needed it. He grows
little personal in reminding the Bishop that
ne left the Academy when NJ. Littre came IN,
and is therefore not quite the person to preach
liberation Of heresy. But 80 far as the flag Is
concerned, he leaves no doubt as to his senti-
ments. He will not endure the trlc0lOr under
any circumstances.
That no element of absurdity might be
lacking TO this position. 1t was only necessary
TO proye that the COmte de ChambOrd was ig-
norant of the history and traditions of his
own family, and that his flag is as great a
solecsm as he is himself. And this, it seems,
has actually been done by NJ de Bouille, who
in learned and sensible treatise has shown
that the three colors, red, white, and blue,
we're those of Henri Nv. and of the House OF
Bourbon la Marche Vend0me, of which he was
the head. They always renamed the hmgs
colors. The white flag was merely sign of
command, like the broad pennant of an Ad-
miral, used by the Colonel-Generals of In
fantry from Francis l., who created that rank,
to Louis XIV, who assumed it himself and
the white flag with it. Still, there is no pros
pect that any historical proof will ever touch
the Child of Miracle. The lapse of years has
made no impression upon him. He has always
been sure Of the throne, and now more than
ever, Nothing can shake his faith, for il is
based upon foundations Hnassaiabe by facts
or by reason. He is almost the only genuine
King left in Europe to-day, and the Republic
in France is to be congratulated that it has
him to deal with instead of those cool and
practical politicians, tho Princes Of Orleans.
A pJFl OF PPFVIOUS GOOD CH1R4CTPP