New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-03
THE FRENCH MINISTRY.

| ITS OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF POLICY BY NJ
| BUFFET-MEN WHOM THE PRESIDENT TRIED TO
| EXCLUDE FROM THE MINISTRY.
rrRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUNE
| PARIS. March 17.-Whether the Cabinet which has
| at last been formed is strong enough to hold to-
gether till the dissolution of the actual Assembly 1.-THE
next great stage in the progress toward constituting
the Repubc) is doubtful. Theoretically 1t is homo
| geneous, parliamentary and republican. one
of its members, NJ de Meaux, IS taken from
the ranks of the Moderate Legitimists, who
opposed the passage of the constitutional laws
which he has suddenly consented to assist in adj
ministering Of the other eight members, all but
three are taken from the late Right Center and not
one from the Old -Republican' group. 1t was not
to be expected that Ministry of this composition
would at the outset, reveal passionate ardor for
republicanism The programme it formally set
forth last Friday painfully surprised moderate LIB
erals. GratiGed by what was substantial gain In
principle in their victory Of February %, the great
body of sensible Republicans were willing
to renounce their due share of the material
spoils TO leave ministerial offices to the few allies
who had lately rallied to their majority.
They readily sacrificed personal ambitions and were
willing to support conservative Ministry that
should at with them in adherng to the essen
tial constitutional cause NJ. Buffet, the Prime Min
ister was by no ono supposed TO be republican
Zealo; he was assumed to be honest as honesty goes
with politicians, and was thought to be eminently
parliamentarian. The declaration of Friday sounds
as if it were the composition Of NJ. de Meaux rather
than of the Prime Minister Interpreted in accord
ance with contemporary French political usage, its
phraseoogy seems to make it less appeal for the
support of the majority of 18th February 1875, than
the old majority of oath May, 1878. They seem to
turn their backs on the $50 Republicans who planted
and held the ladder by which they rose to power
and to beckon Royasts and Imperiaists to come and
take their places. i say they SEEM for the decara-
ton appears something worse probably than 1t is.
If il had contained lively attack on ROyaliSts and
Bonapartists it certainly had not been well for
Republicans. That party is most likely to have its
own way in the long run that is content to go
slowly and secure its advances it goes. Gambetta
is evidently impressed with the soundness of the
old Italian proverb: WHO goes softly goes far"
1t IS owing to him more than to any other one man
THANKS to his restraining influence over his Repub
lican associates and folowers) that the constitu-
tional laws were passed at all.
The first Disappointing effect Of the Ministerial
programme is already modified by some calmer con-
sideratiOns and subsequent events Its appeal to
moderate men of all parties" bitterly hostile to
the new system was probably in part concession
to the Presidents fixed idea of his office and duty
as chief of Parliamentary Government. That
lie habitually entertains such an idea is certain.
Precisely what it is is hard to ascertain-expres-
sions of it that have been set forth at different
fines over his signature being somewhat at va
rance The latest is the most curious and note
worthy. Among the numerous Cabinet lists
drawn up last week was one on which
the name Of the Duke dAudIffret-P asquier was
given as that of the Minister of the Interior.
Soon afterward there was a new list, in which his
name was still included, but as Minister of lnstruc
ton as if to say "YOu can't be first officer. but you
shall be head steward" The Duke dAudifret-Pas-
ouier rejected the uncomplmentary substitution as
matter of course. AT the time. the change was
said to have been made under 1mperialist
influences. When meditating his "Out-
side" Cabinet, the President scratched off
Walon's name, with still more
disrespectful stroke. The matter had been very
much and angrIly talked about when the President
wrote an apologize letter to the Duke expressing
lively regrets at having unintentionally offended
him by withdrawing in the morning portfolio he
bad offered him the night before. One phrase of
this letter quoted as authentic, is as follows" am
only soldier and am not very familiar with parlia-
mentary customs" The commentary ON the Mar
shal's fitness for the position which he lately half
threatened to resign is "severe but just"
Meantime. the Duke dAudffrct- Pasquier has been
elected President of the Assembly carried in by Re-
publican votes. The election itself and his speech
OF acknowledgment have quite lamentably re-
duced the JOY of the Bonapartists over bis being
cast ont from the new Ministry. His election is
another striking exemplifcaton Of the policy of
Gambetta, to whose vigorous advocacy it may be
attributed. Though much later convert
from Oreanism than the body of NJ.
Thiers's followers, and not yet so much as
pretending to be fully persuaded Conservative
Republican. the Duke dAuditiret-Pasquier has
frankly declared himself for fair trial of the ex-
perimental Republic. lie has an unusually good
character for honesty, and perhaps exaggerated
but we'll authenticated reputation of being thor
ouehly hostile to Imperialism. His rhetorical
blows fell equally hard on Ganbctta and
Rouher Gambetta no more forgets than
Rouher forgives, but sensibly al CUES " This man
is a sure ward against the common enemy, and may
become our friend. Our support will make him so;
Any way that leads to a dissolution and new general
elections tine latter not being conducted with
specia favor to Bouapartism as against Republican,
sm) is the true way. whoever happens to be tue lille
leader What survives of Orleanism in fairly
chosen next Assembly is not likely TO control u.s."