, 1874-04-01

ES11J 'Dh~A WY &S ~
gist of the letters is simply a renewed recon-
mendation of the Republican form of Govern
ment as the only one possible in France, as the
sole means of repairing past disasters and OF
securing the triumph of the general interests
OF the country over the minor interests OF
dynasties, classes, and systems. NJ. Ihiers
desires the establishment in France of a Sensi-
bic, firm Government, as stable as possible.
That is what every honest Frenchman who
loves his country must desire, and it is only
when the form of Government comes to be
discussed that differences arise. NJ. Theirs
says
"With the spirit that reigns among the
masses in presence Of three Mcnarchical parties
d~iSputing the Throne, | consider the Monarchy
impossible, and the only practicable solution
see is that of a prudent, equitable, conserva-
tive, and recuperative Republic"
Observe in the paragraph, just quoted, the
covert blows he AIMS at his political foes. Like
a &kliuI pugEIiSt, he administers singing pun
lSlment with scarcely a seeming effort. "Ihe
three Monarchical parties" To include the
Empire among these is manifestly to annoy
and eXasperate the Royalists, and, at the same
time, he Ignores the Fusion and alludeS to the
Orleans family as if they still were competitors
for the Throne. "A plague on all your
houses - he excIaims, and will have none of
them. Convinced by the experience Of three
yearS-a conviction henceforward invinoible-
he demands a prudent, equitable, conserva-
tive, and recuperative Republic" 1t is that,
ne Is persuaded, which The country desires, and
that alone can save and restore it. The friends
of France-and we believe them to be numer.
Gus on your side of the Channel-will be
pleased to learn, on such high authority, that
there exist in this country the materials for
such a Republic. 1t has hitherto been believed
by many foreigners that genuine Conservative
Republicans are too few in France to secure the
permanent triumph ofthe regimen they advocate.
Surprising it to be proclaimed and installed, ithaS
been feared it would prove but shOrt-lived and
would soon be replaced by a Republic of a
Redder tint, which, In its turn, would be
sWamped and overwhelmed by the p~artisans of
anarchy-the Socialists, CommunardS, ~Interna-
ton alistS, or by whatever names may be de-
signated the scum and refuse of subversive
Radicalism. The present form of government
in France is not in all respects satisfactory, 1t
is something to have a Government which
guarantees order and tranquility for seven
years, and none have a right to doubt that Mar
shall MacMahon will prove determined and able
to maintain both but, meanwhile, it is certain
that political parties, c~0vertly or openly, affect
to discredit its durability and indefatigably
seek to undermine it. The National Assembly,
says NJ. THEIRS, "is divided into two exactly
equal portions" The Ministerialists will hardly
admit this. 1t is some time since there has
been a trial of strength, and it is impossible to
know what changes have occurred in the
minds of two small fractions of the Chamber;
but the Government looks forward without
uneasiness to the Interpolation to which at one
time considerable Importance was attached,
but Of which little has lately been heard. 1t
has not been formally Withdrawn and may
therefore be expected to come on when the
present uninteresting discussion of petty taxes
shall close.
Surprising the de Broglie-D ecazes Cabinet
defeated-of which I see no approaching pro.
bability,-but everything is possible in this pays
de Pimpr6cu,-the Marshal President would
have to compose his Ministry partly olits former
elements and partly from the Left Centre. which
would become possible by reason of NJ. de
Broglie'S retirement for of late there has
come into existence a party which may best be
designated as anti Broglists, among whose pro-
minent members are the leading men of the Left
Centre. Surprising this transformation effect
ed, it may be doubted whether the dream of a
Conservative Republic would be at all advan.
ced towards its realization. | have much
greater faith in the prudence, intelligence, and
good intentions of the Left Centre than I have