The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-27
The Republic IN France.

morning. In a.despatch elsewhere printed,
that the recent vote on Wallon's bill shows
that the moderate and patriotic men of all
parties have resolved that the time has come
for France to cease her experiments with
monarchies, and to enter upon a perma-
nent and peaceful government Many
years Of war and revolution, Napole-
onic campaigns draining France of her
wealth and manhood, and drenching
Europe with blood-reigns of terror, direc-
tories, usurpations like the eighteenth Of Bru-
MARIE and the Second of December-over-
whelming and deserved humiliations like
Leipsic, Waterloo and Sedan, have taught
even Frenchmen that the Republic, and the
Republic alone means peace. The declaration
of a legltimist leader, as reported in our de-
spatches, that there would be terrible struggles
between the republicans and the conserva-
tives and that the followers of the Bourbons
and Bonapartes would INCREASINGLY combat
the new institutions shows the true spirit
of royalty, and justifes the belief that is now
shared by thoughtful men in all parts Of the
world, that the monarchists will have throne
or war. 1t was this resolve, the refusal Of
princes like Charles L and Louis XVI. to &C
cept any terms with the people failing to
recognize their divine rights, that precipi-
tated the excuses of the revolutions in Eng
land and France which cost them their
thrones and their heads. 1t was this senti-
ment which made Castelars Republic impos-
sible in Spain, which stimulates Don Carlos
and his bigoted bandits to devastate Biscay
and Navarro, and which, after driving a con-
stitutional Cortes out of Madrid, summoned
Alfonso by military usurpation. We see
it in France arraying itself against the will
Of the people expressed in nearly every
election, and confirmed by solemn and
repeated votes of the Assembly, and now
menacing the new Republic with ''unceasing
war" We repeat, therefore, that the Republic
means peace and monarchy war.
Our correspondent sends us an admirable
resume of the public opinion in Versailles,
which finds expression in this Republic. We
may be pardoned, perhaps, in referring to
his despatch as a step in the progress of jour-
nalism. 1t has become as necessary for us to
have our daily budget of news and
opinions from great capitals in Europe
as it is to have a daily report from our
own capital By this alone can we have an
intelligent appreciation of the great events
that move the world We see, as our CORE
spondent informs us, that the French have re-
solved that they will no longer have per-
manent and irresponsible master. They
want living government, not a mummy
They want a system that expresses their
will and ministers to their greatness and
prosperity, not stupid Bourbon or an
obstinate Bonaparte. Weary of revolution,
and of wars springing from ambition worse
than revolution, they wish to be able to
change their government when it no longer
pleases them. AS our correspondent aptly
puts it-Frauce as nation proposes hereafter
to deal with it's rulers as the citizen deals
with the servants of his household and his
business. Nor can this be regarded as freak
or sudden impulse, or mad craving Of an
ignorant multitude for novelty and change. In
earlier and ruder days, before society rested
upon law, when force was another name for
justice, in the feudal times of the Middle Ages
q military chief was necessary to the protection
Richard the n-hearted, Du Guesclin and
other teudal leaders were indispensable. Civil
cation has made such men as unnecessary as the
old armor-which would weigh our most
stalwart warriors TO the earth, or the battle axe
and the bow. Then great issues were decided
by prowess: now we refer them to engineering
and rifed cannon. Men of genius are no
longer necessary to society, for society repre-
sents genius higher than that given by God to
any of his creatures. France is greater than a
Napoleon, and France lives. Caesar was greater
than Rome, and Rome persisted. Whenever
the spirit Of Casarism or Napoleonism usurps
the free expression of a peoples will the nation
will pass away. Consequently we see the no.
blest struggles for liberty in the efforts now
making in France to destroy the royal system,
and the resolution of patriotic men at home
to stamp out the budding power of C@sarism
and military ambition.
The present condition of parties in France
is full OF interest and instruction. 1t recalls
the Georgian period of English parliamentary
history and the extraordinary condition of our
own politics before the war. This is felici-
tously limited by our correspondent In the
Georgian era Pitt and Fox were sustained
by landholders and hereditary noblemen,
gifted and spirited arstocracy, who
displayed to great degree the
highest qualities of craftsmanship. In
America we had similar party In the South
q small, compact, gallant race, resting upon
slavery, controlling the Republic by genius
and will Our Northerners were then too
active in the pursuits of life, too eager for
gain to take an active part in public
affairs. While the strongest men repre-
sented the compact, aristocratic slave States,
powerful constituencies like New England
and New York were represented by men of