The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-04
FRANCE.

EXPECTED MINISTERIAL cRIsIs-A GLUT on
GoLD-A CONSTITUTIONAL" PRESIDENT
HIGHER EDUCATION IN FRANCE-LIBERAL oP-
POSITION TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.
PARIS Dec a. 1874.
The Mint has been busy OF late coming gold
pieces Of twenty francs at the rate OF $l6O, 900
worth daily. Sixty millions worth are to be put
in circulation, and the twenty franc 10 to DIS
appear altogether. The recuperative energy OF
France is astonishingly displayed In this tact.
Three years ago even silver was SO scarce that one
franc notes were commoner than the coiu'Oi that
description. Now silver and gold are equally
plentiful. The inevitable
MINISTERIAL CRISIS
which has been expected for the last six weeks Ia
likely to BEGIN on Wednesday, the l6th when the
government will move that the constitutional
laws take precedence OF all other orders OF the
day. Bonapartsts, legi' imlsts and republicans
pretty certain to vote against the proposal in
company in which case the Cabinet must be de-
Ieated and resign. What Marshal MacMa hon Will
then do Is doubtful He Is determined not to re-
sign himself, and his vile has issued Invitations to
two grand Presidential entertainments in the mid
die OF January; yet month Is long time to look
forward to in Revolutionary France, and even with
the army Behind his back the Marshal cannot gov
ern without a Ministry. Ii the Due Decazes and
other statesmen OF respectable name in the con-
servative party are likely to undertake the thank
less taskf From the ranks OF
THE MODERATE REPUBLICANS
MacMahon could easily form an administration,
but he has repeatedly expressed his determination
to rule only by means OF the conservative party
aud for ITS benefit. Probably when the Marshal
made those declarations he had no idea that the
time would come when he would find himself re.
pudiated by the Two important sections OF i'm.
peralists and ultra rOyaists In truth the Presi-
dent must speedily make 1p his mind either to
turn himself into q constitutional ruler for the
next six years and enjoy the hOnors OF Chief OF
the State, while the real work OF government is
done by q Ministry enjoying the confidence of the
Chamber. or he must frankly accept the Republic
and so govern through that party whose I'm.
1enaole merit Is to command the largest number
OF votes at the polls.
HIGHER EDUCATION
has hitherto been the principal topic Of discussion
In the Assembly. OF late years the subject has
been too much neglected. and when 1t Is consid-
cred that higher education Is almost entirely In
the hands or the State at the present moment the
statement maze by NJ. Jules Slmon late Minister
OF Public Instruction, that less than Sis, 600 were
the year 1872, VIII cause no little surprise. bill
has now been read second time, by very large
majority, which establishes the liberty OF higher
instruction. Inc clergy, whose cry III France, as
In America, is only for
FAIR FIELD AND NO FAVOR,
vehementy support the measure, while the rad
Gals and pnilosopnic liberals oppose IL, chiefly be-
cause they are avowedly AFRAID to give the church
lair play. 1t may almost be questioned whether
the true conception OF religious freedom is under.
stood out OF the United states. In Germany 1t is
OF Prince Bismarck. In England, too, liberals
have shown unmlstakable signs OF O desire to
them ne sS Gather
hcs. There can be little doubt that English
liberals OF the type OF Mr.: John Morley, the editor
HTss the laws Of PRUSSIA
than those OF any other country Italy, perhaps
excepted, to the claims OF the Church OF Rome
still, one must 20 back TO the seventeenth GEN.
tury to ind another Instance OF freedom being
deliberately opposed by the advocates or freedom
for fear certain class OF the community should
ENJOY II. 100 -
are years wide enough apart from each other but
the policy OF English wings IN the iormer and OF
french liberals In the latter period Is nearly ldenti
cal. In 1858 James H. published and ordered the
clergy to read IN the parish churches his celebrated
"Declaraton OF Indulgence" which accorded ABB
almost to man refused to read the Kings dec.
aratloh as being contrary to law, and we're sup
the wing as well rs the tory party. ON this some-
what unfortunate point the great battle OF tne
s s,S ,n S oeiaIy styled giorloas may oe
liberals then was 'Loerty for all but Roman
Cathohcs". THIS argued even attudinarians OF
the stamp OF Tllotson and Burnett. Nj Chalemel.
Lacour, who delivered the speech OF the day
against the BILL Is not really much more enlignt-
ened than those statesmen or six generations ago.
Fortunately, cannot help thinking. for the liberal
cause as for the Catholic Church, he found himself
In hopeless minority. The bill mas been accepted
IN principle and may be expected to pass unmutl-
lated into law. new impetus Will be given TO
the INTELLECTUAL and religious lie OF France by
open competition Of creeds and systems Of phil
os0phy In such competition. moreover, tnas
unfailing test OF sincerity-a demand for money
Will be applied. II the men OF science heartily
believe in nothing they viii only have to pay lib
orally that their brother men may be taught to
believe In nothing. When everybody Is ready to
subscribe not only his name, but distinct sum
OF francs, to this cheerful creed, IL Will be clear
that 1t has made progress At present there Is no
denying the CALLING truth that liberals are iar less
chary OF ESSAYS and "demonstrat lons IN favor or
'nothlng'' than oil hard cash. The church, on the
Othar hand adds materially. wear year. TO lt8