The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-19
FRANCE AND SPAIN.

While the National Assembly, which meet
at Versailles, is still engaged in theapparentl!
hopeless task of organizing permanent gov
eminent for France, the Spanish military
leaders have cut their Gordian knot by calling
to the Spanish throne the youthful son of the
Queen who was so unceremoniously dismissed
by them six years ago.
In both countries, the will of the people is
about the last thing thought of by the men
who assume to control the destinies of their
fellow-citizens In France, the Legitimists,
Orleanists and Bonapartists of the Assembly,
although unable to agree on anything else,
have SO far combined as to prevent the adoption
of an organic law recognizing the Republic as
the government of France, in spite of the
well-known fact that an overwhelming major
ity Of the French people are in favor of that
system, and that almost every one of the partial
elections which have taken place within the
last two years, has been carried by the oppo-
nents of the Monarchy and the Empire.
Marshal Mac Mahon may favor the restora-
ton of Henry V or Of Napoleon " at some
underlined period in the future, but there can
be no reasonable doubt that. for the present.
at least, he is, above all MacMahonist.
Viewed in the light Of the late elections, it
would appear that the only parties which
have given any sign of life in France of late
are those which favor the "Septennate," or
seven years dictatorship of the hero of Ma
genta, the Empire or the Republic.
The army, of course, will sustain Marshal
NacMahon, as long as he confines himself to
the maintenance of the provisional govern
ment, OF which he is the head but should he |
attempt to play the part Of Monk, and to restore
either the Monarchy or the Empire, it is almost |
equally certain that he could not RELY upon |
he united action of the armed forces of the |
country.
Many Of the ablest general officers of the
french army were appointed by Gambetta
Turing the war; and achieved distinction as
tlvision or corps commanders. They still
occupy positions of influence and enjoy great
with the soldiers on account of
heir gallant deeds in the last war, and they
viii never lend themselves to a military coup
|
'etat or Spanish pronunciamiento in favor of
ny pretender to the French throne.
The political outlook in Spain is not likely
0 become more reassuring until the Carlist
nsurrection is conquered contamination
'hich the accession of Alfonso XII was conf
emily expected to bring about, but which,
rom present appearances, seems as remote as
ever was, no detection of any Importance
ON the cause of Don Carlos having resulted
lerefrom.
The proclamation issued by the last named :,
oyal aspirant shows that he is not in the
asst alarmed by the accession of his
poor young cousin" as he rather scornfully
yles Isabella's son, and that he feels conf
ent of his power to continue the struggle c
18th undiminished vigor and effect. If Al =
nso, or rather the military chieftains who !
i've brought him back to Spain, do not make Z
tort work of the Carlist pretender, the
resent year may witness another kaleido.
epic change on tie shifting scenes of Span d
affairs. \