The New York herald., 1874-07-27
FRENCH POLITICS.
A Constitution Made
to Order.
THE CABINET OF CLERKS
M. CasimiI.-Peri Re-
public.
Approaching Dissolution OF
the Assembly.
Picturesque Aspects Of the Crisis
at Versailles.

PARIS July II, 1874.
Marshal MacMahon has given the Assembly at
Versailles rather less than month to vote new
constitution. The Versailles Assembly cannot
vote constitution in that brieI space OF time,
because they are not agreed as yet as TO any one
OF the principles on which constitution could be
based and the particular constitution which Is
just now offered for confirmation by their votes is
an autocratic one, which all the liberals are
steadiastly resolved TO oppose.
Marshal MacMahon, therefore, having invested
himself with dictatora powers, Will probably dis
solve
THE VERSAILLES ASSEMBLY
and promulgate the constitution which finds
favor with him by decree. This will be kind OF
coup d'etot, but the Marshal will urge his ex-
cuse the difficulty OF his position and the political
deadlock which is keeping the trade OF France in
state-Of stagnation.
The week which has just closed has been full OF
talk and projects it is supposed that the week
into which we have entered will be marked by
some notable results. The Presidents ultimatum
has now been delivered to the Parliament, and
they must make the best OF it. Generally speaking
the press is with the Marshal and the newspapers
approve his energetic behavior, the French
people are fond OF apDlaudlng master VINO can
make himself obeyed. The only thing regretted
by moderate men Is that he did not distinctly re-
pudiate any attempt to establish monarchy now
or hereafter aud that he did not frankly declare
for a republic. Had he done SO am inclined to
think that all France would have sauted him,
with cry Of relief and gratitude, as her nperator.
Thus the Cabinet OF CLERKS, who were thrust into
ONCE merely to carry the necessary business OF
government which could not be postponed, is
likely to become memorable in French history.
II the proposition of NJ. Casimir- -Perer obtains q
major ty the period OF hair-splittlng and parlia-
mentary casuistries will be ended for one while.
II 1t Is rejected dissolution must inevitably fol-
low, for 1t will become plain that the Assembly
can do nothing at all IL would not answer, how
ever, to over-estimate the immediate results OF a
majority on Nj. Casimir. Perler's motion, for the
majority will only agree respecting the explicit
proclamation OF q republic. 1t Is certain to differ
upon details The best course, therefore, which
can now be taken by the expiring Parliament is
simply to recognize the Republic as the form OF
government under which France is nenceforth to
exist and then to leave everything else to its sue.
cessor. Before the new elections take place, how
ever, and more orderly collection of Deputies
appear on the scene, 1t may perhaps amuse the
readers OF the HERALD TO learn what are the social
and picturesque aspects OF
A PARLIAMENTARY CRISIS AT VERSAILLES.
1t is still raining, as 1t has been almost every
day Tor week. and the Parisians, who are gen.
orally clad IN unsnbstantial clothing have an al
most cat-like objection to water. But they have
got over their antpathy to getting wet through
on this occasion. There is quite block OF cabs
mixed up ineXtricably with umbrellas and ladies,
on the Boulevard Mont Parnasse, and they are all
proceeding towards the terminus OF the Chemin
de Fer de Ouest TO take places for versailles and
get the 1rst news OF parliamentary proceedings
dov lot ne tab n . W hap no frat
scramble is over, and we shall be in time for the
sitting Of the Assembly which presides in such an
uneasy manner over the immediates destnies Of
France. There Is NJ. Louis Blanc and the Duke
dAudif iffret tP Pasquer who has again Jumped sud-
denly into celebrity after an eclipse, and M.
Casimlr Perier, who is the hero OF the hour, all in
the same train with u.s.
The faded splendors Of Versailles seem galvan.
lzed back to lfe and its broad Streets quiet and
silent few years ago, when they were abandoned
to retired Anglo-Indian officers and American citi-
Zens living on small annulties, are now thronged
with busy, anxious crowd, and echo everywhere
to the pattering sound Of hurried footsteps.
friendly Minister obtains us admission without too
many preliminary fOrmaities, and the constitu-
tonal battle field OF France is revealed to view.
1t Is two O'Clock and all the Deputies are in their
places looking eager for the fray. In the tribune OF
the President Is Nine. MacMahOn and one OF the
great ladies of the Septennae, arrayed In simple
dresses without ornaments or trimmings, and
wearing an extremely democratic aspect. Near
these ladies' is the Russian Princess Patchouliskoi,
dressed in pearl gray silk with transparent
hood of white lace over II. Further
on is Marshal MacMahon, in very plain
clothes, and with an expression OF grim attention
Oh those firm, silent lips OF his The clever head
OF the Duchess Of Magenta moves in lively man.
ner as though to a quick march, and II we are now
! under o military dictatorship she Is surely the die
tatress. All the Ambassadors are present and
seem to be curiorsy conscious OF this fact. The
Duchess eXctes more attention than the Pres
dent.
In a few minutes M. Bunet pronounces the ga
| cred formula in voice rather harsh, but clear
and audible. Then he raises his calm, grave lace
towards the ladies' tribune, which ls now enam
elled with pretty faces, and bows almost imper
ceptiby. The battle has begun, and famous Or
leanist general leads the first charge. He Is not
O bad type OF that sort OF military man OF the
world TO whom every one Is ready to listen, and
who listens no less readily to himself. His white
mustache, cut precisely in the shape OF a tooth
brush his black stock and closely buttoned frocl
coat have very warlike appearance, bat mis- la
bored epigrams and frequent flowers OF speech be
tray the amateur politician who might not be In
disposed to accept the Presidency should MacMa
hon grow weary OF it, or possibly play the part o
a French Duke Of Albemarle If occasion served
Unfortunately his oratorical action is rather OF the
burlesque kind, and he sabres the air about as |
he were practising with q broadsword. Now anC
then too, he cuts joke, not in the best taste, OF
the Septennate. He and the President have beer
friends for forty years. II he did not hasten tt
pick quarrel he might die before another chance
occurred OF doing His real enemy. however
is NJ. Gambetta, and 1; is easy TO perceive, from
the tenor OF his discourse, that 1t would go hare
with that gentleman II the General were in power
The fiery orator of the Left does not seem b,
any means duly impressed with sense OF hi
danger. He is apparently listening to the aDgr.
old soldier with some amusement, and sits leaning