New-York tribune., 1874-10-20
FRENCH ELECTIONS.


1t is possible that the cause of moral order
in France may be subserved by setting the
elections in echelOn formation, as Marshal
MacMahOn has done, but it is clear that this
expedient is accomplishing nothing either for
the monarchy or for its shadOwy counterfeit
the Septennate. A large number of seats III
the Assembly are now vacant, and the timid
officials of the MacMahOn Government, fearing
that to suffer them to be filled all at once
would create too great perturbation OF
esprit among the populations" have strung
them out by twOs and threes, so as to cover the
entire delay allowed by law for vacancies to
continue. So far they seem to be merely pro-
longing their own torture, like the nervous
man of the old story who could not
bear to make his dog suffer too much,
and so cut off his tail an inch at
time. Scarcely single candidate favored
by the Government has been elected
since 1t came into power, in spite of all its
efforts. The Republicans, worried and harassed
as they have been in the press and in their
canvass by continued administrative interfer-
ence, have managed to carry almost every
seat, and those which they have lost
have been seized by the Bonapartists. The
Monarchists seem unable to control a single
Department. The fight has become clearly
one between the Republic and the Empire;
and yet for making this evident observation a
newspaper in good standing at Paris has been
visited with official censure. 1t is true that
the punishments of the Government are not
very disastrous. The XIIh Century enor-
mOusly increased its subscription list during
its suspension few weeks ago. But the fact
that such results follow the repressive measures
of the Government only shows more plainly
how unwise they are.
The elections last Sunday were in the beaten
track. In the Pas-de-Calais, the Bonapartst
has plurality though he is not elected. In
the Maritime Alps two Republicans are sue
cessful, and in the Seine-et-Oise the same
ticket appears to have triumphed. 1t would
seem that such lessons as these ought to be
effective with far duller people than Marshal
MacMahOn and his Councillors can be con-
sidered. But nothing they have hitherto done
gives any reason to expect tnat they
will change the disastrous course upon
which they have embarked. 1t was
said that on his recent tour through
the provinces the Marshal-President
was so struck by the repeated demonstrations
| of Republican sentiment which he encoun-
tered, that he came back to Paris with the
purpose of recognizing the drift of public
opinion in that direction. If he really had
entertained any such impression, it soon van
| ished under the peculiar influences which sur
round him, for since his return the repressive
| measures have been resumed with even less
reason and prudence than before. Some of
the ardent monarchical organs advise more
energetic measures than those which have
hitherto succeeded so i'll. They urge that not
only the newspapers which advocate the Re-
public shall be suppressed, but that the cause
should be boldly attacked in its leaders, and
NM. Theirs, Gambetta, and the like should
be arrested and silenced.
| 1t must be confessed that there is something
exasperating in the conduct of party which
will not take the word of Cabinet composed
in great part of Dukes and Academicans, as
to what form of government is best for
France. They 60 on, month after month,
voting for the Republic, just as II Henry V.
and the amiable and estimable Princes of Or
leans had no existence. NJ. Henri Salles has
lust published book which cannot fail to
produce great indignation upon the Right side
of the Assembly. He shows that there have
been during the last three years eighteen par
tial elections. 1874 Deputies have been elected,
of whom 152 are Republicans and 32 Mon
archists. In these elections nearly nine
millions of voters have taken part, and
their votes are divided as follows:
Republicans, in round numbers. 100000; Mon
archists, 2.OO0000; Bonapartists, 100000; Legit-
imists, 100000; giving the Republicans an alb
sOlute majority of 100000 votes over all the
other factions of France, voting during the
last three years. In country pretending to
he ruled by parliamentary govcrnmept Gun