The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-07-24
The French Assembly.

The French Assembly.
The defeat Of Casimir Perier's bill in tho
Assembly shows clearly that the monarchical
factions are resolved to stave off as long AZ
possible the definite establishment of the Re-
pubic. They naturally enough feel that if
this form Of government be planted, even in
q mild form, under the protection of the Sep
tennate and the army, that it is likely to last
much longer than will suit their purpose In
TINS they are, no doubt right. Were the re-
publlcans wise enough to organize under the
shield OF MacMahon by the time that old
soldiers term of Office should have expired
they would be masters of the situation. The
mistake they make is in desiring to 90 too fast
1t is the same fault repeated which has ever
rendered the Republic in France an impossi-
bility. Shutting their eyes persistently to the
actual state OF France, to the close division of
parties, they have, like their opponents.
preferred to play game of political see
saw rather than accept less than their
ideal standard of republicanism. In tho
same way as the monarchists want
their impossible King by divine right and
brain and muscle to France to exercise any
influence on the destinies of the nation. The
decision Of the majority in the Assembly will
not, however, be acquiesced in, and an agita-
ton dangerous to its continued existence as
Legislature began on the announcement of the
vote by motion for its dissolution And al
though defeated this motion was very signif-
cant 1t was made by one of the moderate
republicans, and three hundred and forty
members voted in its favor. The government
majority was only thirty, and was made up
from all the elements opposed to the definite
establishment of the Republic If persisted in
this new agitation for dissolution may force
the Assembly to appeal to the country. So
long as the monarchists can avoid this they
will do so even at the risk of ruling France in
open defiance of the popular will, but
any moment may precipitate crisis
which would render it impossible for thu
present Assembly to continue legally to
exercise the powers Of national legislature.
1t is noticeable that the government was
obliged to bring it's whole influence to bear
on the conservative elements in the Assembly
in order to defeat the motion. The narrow
ness of the division must be anything but
reassuring to either the government Of
MacMahon or to the monarchical parties. Tho
Marshal has evidently made up his mind to
exercise the power vested in him by the As
sembly. He likes the dictatorship and has
no intention of allowing either the repub-
licans or the monarchists to Dust him from
his post, and he tells the Assembly so with
the bluntness of an old soldier AS the pres
ent divided legislature suits his purpose
better than would more homogeneous As
sembly he will encourage the conservative
members to maintain themselves in power 80
long as they can secure the smallest majority.
This is evidently the Marshars policy. Il
may be questioned, however, whether it is tho
one best calculated to secure the peace and
prosperity of France.
AN INTERNATIONAL MONUMENT TO THU
MEMORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Lin
coin memorial tower about to be erected
in London, apart from being grand
tribute in honor Of pure, self-sacrifcing
patriot and earnest friend of humanity, one
who struck of the letters OF thousands and
removed from his country the stigma Of
slavery, is significant proof of the hidden
bond of sympathy and esteem that exists be-
tween England and America. Such an occa-
sion calls forth the noblest feelings of both
countries and shows the truth Of the old
adage that blood is thicker than water. The
proposed tower will be worthy of the great
man to be commemorated, and will be the
first monument ever erected to foreign rulee,
upon English soil. The Treaty of Washing
ton could scarcely have more emphatic in
dorsement than this tower that, to use the
words OF an English writer twill lift its head
to tell posterity the honorable truth that when
slavery was struck down England, with few
exceptions, and free America were one."