The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-12-16

Republican France.

and rose upon the ruins OF the Empire,
under circumstances OF almost desperate
depression to France. we had little con-
bdence in the continuance and stability
Of that form OF government among the
French people. We were by no means
alone in that opinion OF French Repub-
licanism. Such were the views almost
universally entertained by the thought
nl minds OF this country. Five years
have elapsed since that event, and the
French Republic still stands.
Certainly, tive years do not form a
very rigorous test OF the stability OF any
newly constituted government. But, in
the case OF Republican France, there
are some important considerations that
should induce persons originally skcp-
tical to re-examine their first opinions
One of these considerations Is that
France has really taken no backward
step from her original republicanism.
Granting that their original type OF re-
publican government was not up to our
standard OF Tree speech, free press,
fixed periods for elections, and univer-
sal suffrage, yet such as it was it has
not retrograded.
The events attending the progress oil
that country since 1870, demonstrate
that, SO far from monarchieal reaction
carrying the Government backwards to-
wards imperialism, the republican fea.
lures have become more firmly fixed in
public regard, and republican principles
more consolidated in the practical admin
istration Of public affairs.
When Theirs was compelled to retire
from the head OF their administration,
and MacMahon was placed in the Exec.
utiye chair, it was supposed that the first
step towards the re-establishment of the
throne had been taken; and that MacMa-
hons administration would end in the
return Of the monarchical system to
France. On this presumption the coali-
tion Of the royalists and the imperial
lists, representing the Bourbons and the
Bonapartes, was formed. whereby Theirs
was defeated and MacMahon placed in
power. Each of the monarchical par
ties relied upon making MacMahon its
stepping-stone to the restoration Of it's
authority; and both were disappointed,
and probably deceived. At all events,
upon accession to power, President
MacMahon chose 10 hold that power for
himself, rather than make it over to
either Bonaparte or Bourbon.
; BY this means the Republic rece ived
at once a longer lease OF life. Seeing no
opportunity yofre-establishing the throne,
both of the royal aspirants were discour-
aged, and the coalition was dissolved.
This freed the Republic from the in.
trigues that were, before that, constant
ly carried on in the Assembly, and gave
1t individuality Of character and indie.
pendence Of action. And these were
important points to gain.
Recently another very significant event
has occurred. In the Legislative de
partment Of the new government there
was but one House, or branch Of legis
lation. 1t was deemed expedient to di
vide the legislative functions between
two branches, after the model of tht
American Congress. Accordingly thu
organization Of a Senate was decree(
and an election of Senators was ordered
This again revived the hopes OF the mon
archists. They presumed that the sena
tors would be chiefly elected from mon
archical classes, men holding titles ant
whose names had been conspicuous il
the annals OF the Empire. From this
was inferred the probability of a res
toration OF the monarchy in one form OF
the other.
On account of the interest excited BY
these alluring hopes, there was grea
zeal displayed in the selection Of the
Senators. The Bonapartists exerted
themselves to the utmost, thinking tlat
the Senate would be able to nulliiy any
adverse action of the Assembly and Il
gradually turn the current OF affair
towards the recall and re-enthronemen
Of the exiles. But these efforts wer,
fruitless, and these expectations vain
The election of Senators resulted in tn
choice OF large majority of reliable Re
pubiicans. So that, instead OF nn ele
ment OF disintegration to the Republic
the Senate will materially contribute L
Its strength and stability.
This latter circumstance gives tn
world greater assurance OF the perpetn
= Ity OF the French Republic than an
other event OF recent Occurrences. !
signifies the failureof monarchical coali
tions and, intrigues to control the popu
lar sentiment Of France. ftsigniies th
public acceptance Of. the Republic as ta
fixed order OF things for the government
fthecountry; and that 1t is no ionge
experiment that was to serve merei
provisional purpose, until the old OF
der oould be restored.s Iu view OF thes
considerations the friends of Republi
canism throughout the world may than
God and take courage.
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