The daily gazette., 1875-04-17
France St,.oc the War.

1t is always pleasing to observe the
tone OF pitying condesceusion IA which
the average American newspaper speaks
of France and OF French politics and
politicians, The French arc not such
lad people in their way; they have seme
very good qualities, but, bless you, they
ARE not fit for self-governmsnt. They
are too ignorant, too impetnous ana too
much given TO quarreling among them
selves; they think more of party. than
of country, and cannot be persuaded to
harmonige their differences for the com.
mon good. They arc continually seek.
ing after change, and no one can tell
how long any government they may set
ap viii last. 1t is great pity, for we
feol very kindly toward the French after
what they once did for US, bat what can
you expect from such peopleg We think
we do not eXaggerato nor nnisropresent
the prevailing tone Of the minor news
papers Of this country in their comments
upon French affairs during the past few
years; we have seen the same tine con-
sciousness of superiority cropping out
in more than ono paper with some pre-
tensions to sense in very short time, in
connection with the recent com promise
in the Assembly. 1t ia only the utter
ludiorousnesa of the thing that prevents
such twaddle from offending sensibls
people. The same papers whose noble
iuteuects find France so piLiabls have
given in their news columns most re-
narkable proofs OF Frances strengt
and Of the political capacity OF Ersnca
IN to the fight with Germany after they
found themselves betrayed. without lsa-
ders, and apparently ruined. was In it
self q marvellous thing. But 10 zee theIa
crushed and defeated aud torn with in
ternal strife, setting rssolutsly to wsrk
to accom- mplish order and to build up
again the prosperity they had lost. was
| n still grander sight. We say that these
people have not a eapaoitg Ter sst-gov-
ernnent; and yet we have seeR them
without a settled government. without q
| Constitution, without oven an establish
ed body OF precedent, OF any govern
mental institutions that commanded ths
support of all, not only governing them.
selves and maintaining Q degree OF erdcz
| and of exemption from crime such -
tho Empire mover know. but developing
tho resources Of tho country, paying the
ane imposed by Germany. which was
thought too heavy burden for any IA
tion to discharge, with apparent case
and all this time finding opportunity tc
| ulSCuSh dmOuS kANaSSAFes'A k~-@>TS~ ~~NJ
and carefully, ne laSs m0mentous Z
question than OF the form and charac
ter Of the government under uhiah thcy
would choose to live. Compare the con
dition OF France to-day with her sondi
ton at the close OF the war. whan parD
was under the Commune; see what hsi
been accomplished in tive shsrt Jaars
and reflect that this has NOT bean &C
oomphshed by any strong government
any central despstism like that which q
nearly brought France to anal ruin. bu
by the French people themselves. ani
then say il they need our patronage
They do need our sympathy in thel
.. trials and in the bitter punishment the
hayo auffered Cor their past folliesi bu
! for the way which thay have grappls
fwith and overcome appalling danger
, and difficulties they command osr ada
. ration. IL ksa TigeA