New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-02-09


million dollars more than it expended IN the years
ended June 3d. 1871 and 1872! Is this the
whole case for increased taXesl If it il not
we trust there will be no delay in laying the
rest Of it before tax-rdlen and lOng-sufIcr-
ing community.
TIE DEFEAT or THE DUKE or PADOUE.
The French Republic, whose death has been
daily predicted for the last four years, seems
less likely to perish now than ut any time
since the meeting of the Assembly at BOr-
dcaux. IL has Obstinately survived the most
serious crisis which could possibly befall it.
The Assembly was monarchical, and the Presi-
dent whom it elected was also the most emf
nent constitutional monarchist Of Europe. But
NJ. Theirs, though an old man, was not UNI
tcachabe, and the events of the day, the
spirit of the nation, the persuasive force OF
circumstances, all eXcrted so powerful an IN
huence upon him that he at last gave way to
it, and threw in his powerful moral weight in
favor of Conservative republic. The ma
jority of the Assembly were not yet ready for
this. Their intelligence and dOcility were not
educated up to the point where years OF eX-
pericnce and observation had brought the
veteran statesman ut the head OF the Govern
ment. They therefore rejected his leadership,
and by casting him out of Office made him the
undisputed head OF the Republican party.
They were, however, unable to harmonic their
own forces upon any one of the prctenders
favored by their various factions. The first
months after tie overthrow OF NJ. Theirs
were passed in q vain effort to induce the
Comte de Chambord to listen to reason and
common sense, and consent to assume the
throne which was waiting for him. But the
stupid fanaticism of that excellent gentleman
was prOyidentially in the way, and the con-
spracy fell through on account OF his rldlcu-
lous and trivial requirements. In the panic
which followed this failure, the monarchlstS
hurriedly elected Marshal MacMAhon to ill
the executive Office for seven years, so as to
give themselves breathing time for new COM
binatons. Their object was evident. Orlean-
lists, Lcgltimists, and Imperialists were
equally anxious to prevent or at least delay
the definite establishment Of tho Republic.
Neither one Of these factions voted for the
Septennate in good faith each held itself
free to strike a blow at any convenient time
for its own pretendcr, and in the mean time
to shane all it's action with view to its can
didate's interests.
This condition of hostility and bad faith
could not remain vailed forever; and as soon
as the elections began under the Septennate
it WAS seen that the various monarchical
parties owed no allegiance to the power they
had created. In the words of Louis the
XVIIIth, nothing was changed in their con-
tests; there WAS only one party the more.
The Septennalist candidate took away few
votes from the Monarchist, but not enough to
elect himself, or stop the triumphant march of
the Republicans. Once in great while Bona
partist, upon whom the other mOnarchsts might
be willing to unite, was elected, and at every
such event there was q fresh cutlery that the
reaction in favor Of the Empire had fairly be-
gun, and that the Republican gains were at
an end IL Is true that the Bonaplrtists alone
were able to cope with the Republicans,
though their successes were about in the pro-
portion of one to four. The Monarchists and
the MacMahonists simply neutralized each
Other unless in the rare cases when they
chose to vote for an Imperialst But they
have recently become aware of the absurdity
of their attitude in working for the Bona
and even the apparently incorrigible Govern
melt of MacMahon seem at last to have be-
come convinced that they must find their ma
iority on tho side where there are the most
votes. The coalition by which the cOnstitu-
tional bills have been put upon their passage
was tho result of this tardy recognition of
fact which has long been patent to the world.
The election held on Sunday in the Depart
ment of the Seine and Disc was q matter of
some importance as showing whether the ac-
cord just established in the Chamber would
be ratified at the polls. The Duke Of Padoue,
the acknowledged leader of the Imperialists,
was o candidate upon their side, and NJ. VAL
entin on that of the Republicans. The Duke
il n man of high social position, great wealth,
and commanding influence in the department.
He is personally unobjectionable, and there
fore while many votes cast for him must be
attributed to his individual popularity, it is
safe to conclude that every vote cast against
him was a vote against the Empire. He is
decisively defeated. We must wait for fur
Their details Of the voting to see whether
he received the entire mOnarcMM vote
or not. If he did the Republicans
have been stronger than all the reac-
tionary parties cOalesced. If not, the
result is scarcely less significant. for it shows
that the Conservatives, weary of hewing wood
and drawing water for that family which dis
graced and ruined France, are beginning to
rally to the support of the only Government
within their reach, which by their aid and CO.
operation can be made at least as permanent
and orderly as one resting upon a medievalist
like the Comte dc Chambord, or band of ad-
venturers like those who surround the ex-Em-
press.