The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-26

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what is after ALL nominal republic
Bonapartists is the most important
political movement that has taken place
in France for long time. 1t will be
observed that the resolution to take this step
was inspired by speech of NJ. Gambetta.
This gentleman has vindicated the opinions
his friends entertained OF him when he first
came into public life by course OF patience
and conservatism rarely seen in French poll
tics. The leader of the republican party, and
believed to be practically Communist in his
sympathies M. Gambetta has shown knowl-
edge Of the true principles of political
success-compromise and courage. There
fore, with that tendency in the French
mind, and especially the radical French
mind, to fly off upon thousand issues
to quarrel about fances. theories and i'm
=. aginative differences of opinion, to in
trude sentimental issues into the gravest
aspect of public affairs, his success in holding
his party as practical unit rebounds to his
credit as leader and to the wisdom of the
party which he commands.
AS our readers will, perhaps, remember,
the beginning of the crisis which has so hap
PLY ended was the fact that distinguished
French soldier made his bid for the. military
headship of the imperial party, and gave
reason to fear military coup detat like what
has twice been seen in Spain since Amadeus
lett General Canrobert was asked to become
a candidate for the Office of Deputy for the De-
partment of Lot-an occurrence not uncOm-
mon in France or elsewhere to distinguished
soldiers or distinguished civilians, or even
to the undistinguished of both classes
Several commanders of divisions have sat in
the Assembly. Canrobert, however, did not
care to enter the political arena. and chose to
say so by an open letter to Count Joachim
Murat He assigned as his motive that he
did not wish to separate himself from the
army, for he wished to be in position where
he could best serve his country if she re-
quired his devotion he had but one idea
that might be called political, which was pro-
found respect for the fallen Empire and faith
in its institutions, and he wished apparently,
to keep out Of party complications, that his
hands might be the more free to give effect
to that one political idea if an opportunity
should come. All the political journals at once
criticised this letter with bitterness which
seemed to regard 1t in the light of procla-
nation that Canrobert was ready. Cam
robert could only have thus openly declared
his readiness from o personal conviction that
he was not the only old soldier whose mind is
made up. he wished to be beforehand with
some one in his declaration. It is but natural
that the corps commanders should be dis
gusted with the ineficiency and helplesssness
of Versailles, and not unnatural, perhaps,
that they should nearly all be imperalists.
We have said this was the alarm note of the
crisis, the fear that the Empire was surely COM
ing. Ever since the failure Of the negotiations
to bring back the Count de Chambord to the
throne-an event which would have been quite
possible but for Bourbon obstinacy-there
have been but two parties possible in France
the Republic or the Empire. These have
always possessed the living elements of poll
tical action, and they are in direct antagonism.
The belief that Sedan had destroyed the Ma
poleonic legend is mistake. The Empire has
done too much for France in the way
Of material prosperity, and there is too much
to attract the French character in the nimbus
of Napoleonic glory which surrounds the
Empire for it to easily die. The Bonapartists
are adroit and able politicians. Their cause
has been sustained by large sums of money
Where this money comes from is a problem
but Napoleonism has always been financially
successful as was seen when the first En-
peror, although prisoner at Elba, had in
fuence enough to negotiate the money which
sustained the hundred days. The army has
never failed in its allegiance to Napoleonism.
The leading generals are avowedly with the
Empire, tor Napoleonism is another name for
military advancement and fame. Although
the Church would prefer Henry V. there
are many reasons why it would not
object to Napoleon Nv. The lad is model
Catholic, and the Empress is known to be
under severe ecclesiastical influences. It is
thought, also, that the Empire would give
more satisfaction 10 the European Powers than
any other form of government. England is
imperialist, Prussia has whipped two Napo-
Icons, and would not mind whipping a third.
Even the Powers who would prefer Bourbon,
as q more respectable quality of king, feel
that there can be no peace in France under
monarchical system that does not involve the
Empire.
With all these influences leading toward
Napoleonism, and above them the persistent
system OF agitation by the Bonaparte leaders,
stimulated by the success of the military
usurpstion in Spain, we can understand the
wisdom and courage of the republicans. M.
Gambetta sees plainly enough that there can
be no republic in France that does not en-
brace the moderate monarchists The mon
archists see that next to constitutional king
the most satisfactory form of government
would be a conservative republic. M. Gam
beta feels that republic, no matter how con-