The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-24
MACNAHON1S DANGER
Tbs French National Struggle Over
the Constitutional Laws.
Refusal Of the Assembly to
Create a Senate.
PARIS, Jan. 8, 1875.

PARIS Jan. 8, 1875.
France is RAPIDLY approaching the political situa-
zion Known as a deadlock. on the 9th inst.
,vpassage from the President was read IN the
Assembly in which MacMahon pressed upon the
Deputies the necessity OF voting the CONSTITUTIONAL
laws Immediately after Ministers demanded
priority OF discussion for the bill creating Senate
on division government obtained only $50 votes
in support OF this proposition, while 420 were re-
corded against It. The majority WAS composed OF
leqitimists imperalists and republicans.
RESIGNATION OF THE CABINET
followed as matter OF course but what Is to
happen next it is hard to foresee. In his mes
sage the Marshal hinted that he might be COM
PEELED to appeal TO the people, but dissolution
wiz not necessarily render the government of the
country any easter, unless, indeed, MacMahon
should consent to accept a republican Ministry.
But he mas always spoken OF himself allied with
the conservative party, ana as holding once for
their benefit He has even declared, though this
Vvas before the estab 1shmeut OF the Septennate,
that as he came into power through conservative
votes so ne would not consent to retain 1t except
BY the same SURFACES.
Now the republicans though they clamor for a
dissolution OF the chamber, which they justly be-
lieve no longer represents the country, yet desire
that the Chamber should itself fix the limit OF its
duration. The
DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSEMBLY
BY an arbitrary act OF the President would be quite
another affair, and would be accepted by repub-
Iicans solely on condition that new elections
should forth with be ordered and thai the Chief OF
the State should submit to the decision OF the
next Assembly both as to the choice of his Minis
tiers and as to his general policy at home and
abroad But the Marshal could not, with any pre-
49, clt
he remained the mere grand elector OF sieyes
constitution and lent the prestige OF his name to
the very party Tor the purpose OF keeping down
which he was raised to supreme author
ity. II, on the other hand. the Mar
the shal unable to act in concert with
present Assembly, and despairing OF more
friendly relations with any succeeding one, were
TO close for good the doors OF the theatre OF Yer
sailies and attempt, like Serrano, to govern per-
sonany, unfettered by any parliamentary lnsttu-
lions whatever, the result would be tragical-
neither more nor less than civil war. In the sum-
mer OF 1879 when q monarchcal restoration was
anticipated the republican members had deter
mined that in the event OF any forcbe dissolution
OF the Assembly they would refuse to acknowledge
the decree which terminated It's existence, and
retiring in body to Besancon. continue their sit
rings in that town and commission govern
adopt similar course in his own interests the
republicans would equally fall back this former
plan Of theirs. Nor Is 1t Impossible that the re-
publican General Faidherbe would, under such
circumstances, follow another precedent from
Spanish politics, and at the head OF an armed
force, pronounce" Tor the Republic. At least a
fair proportion OF
Is republican; for an army raised by universal
CONSUMPTION, like that OF France must TO a GER
tain extent reflect the spirit OF :he nation, and
there can be no doubt that a large proportion OF
the nation is republican. dissolution then, Is
both illegal and is not likely to help the Marshal
out OF his difficulties If he will not abdicate
his powers no one can compel him TO that step
tut the Assembly can render the government
OF the country well nigh impossible They can
and probably will throw out every measure pre-
sented by MacMahon's Ministers. He may at.
tempt to carry on the administration OF affairs by
q Cabinet OF clerks and simple heads of depart
menus, ne has before now threatened to DO
and pay no heed at all to the debates IN the Assem-
bly,, but he can only pursue such course II ma
jority OF members are content to let the country
be ruled without any reference 10 their wishes
No Parliament OF which history makes mentor
ever consented to hold position so manifestly
ridiculous nor would the Chamber at versatile.
tolerate It. In short, II the representatives OF tht
people found the President affecting to treat then
with silent contempt, they might any day fore,
him into an attitude oil respectful attention by
REFUSAL TO VOTE THE SUPPLIES,
an extreme measure, which would at once bring
the conflict between the Executive ana the iegls
lature to an issue. Again, 1t is very doubtful
whether MacMahon can much longer form Minis
try at all. think IL was President Lincoln VIII,
SAID eight postmen selected at random would con-
stttute q fair working Cabinet, and the statemen
contains deep truth If applied to America o
England, where government l. but the lnstrumen
OF public opinion. But French Ministers govern a
well as reign. and France Will not suomit TO b
ruled even by head postmen in hand
some uniforms. In France rdcule would Kill
Cabinet consisting OF a dozen permanent unde
secretaries, or whom nobody had ever heard. L
truth, MacMahon's experiment was tried lon
since py Louis Napoleon, and it failed to avert IN
inevitable collision with the Assembly. The carl
catures OF the day represented the President a
comforting al the council table with NUMBER c
headless men. Yet Ministers, who are at one
statesmen and
FRIENDS TO THE sEPTEsNATE,
are extremely hard to find at the present moment
The Duke de Brogie has refused TO undertake tn
task OF forming government. The Duke d'Au
dTretPasquer and M. Buffet, the Speaker q
the Assembly are equally unwilling u
serve the Marshal. His alliance with tn
Centres has always been, to use
French smile, rather a marriage OF reason thai
OF inclination. The Centres have no enthusiasm
for the person or the principles OF the Duke o
Magenta. They will continue to AFFORD him a sim
cere, n not hearty support, against the fanatica
assaults OF socialists and legitimists alike. Blu
they will not for his sake expose themselves to the
risk OF mourning the fate OF Prince Polignac and
his colleagues, who for manifesty disregarding the
Will OF the nation were sentenced to imprson
ment for life under TIE comparatively mild rule o
Louis Philippe, and actually remained six years II
captivity. Polfucs in France are dangerou
game.
THE GUICOWAR OF BARODA