The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-05


Resignation of the French Ministry.
From time to time the noisy and disor-
DERBY Chamber mt Versailles brings forth
debates which, even If not important in
themselves, are highly instructive ~ indi-
eating the drift of the popular mind in
France.
For some weeks past, while not neglect
ing petty party struggles aud personali-
ties, the Legislators of France huvo seem-
ed to concentrate their attention upon
clerical matters. There was no apparent
reason for their doing this now more than
previously. The clergy are not visibly
gaining or losing influence; the people
are not becoming either more ardent
or more Indifferent Catholics; aud church
affairs seem to run very much as before.
Tho Government however, many of whose
members, and especially NJ. DUFAuRE,
Minister Of Justice and worship. aud Pres
idcnt MAcMAHoN who is guided by his
pretty wife, are under strong clerical in
ilucuce, were foolish enough 10 introduce
into the Chamber several questions which
reused the anti-clerical jealousy of the
members. First of all came u demand
for an increase in salaries aud pCn-
sons for army and navy chaplain-;
then a grant for clerical scholarships was
proposed; then came another bill FOR
grant To a Carmclite school; and on all
these proposed grants of money the Gov
eminent was defeated.
The debates began with violent speech
of Prince NAPOLEON, denouncing the
clergy. and the disastrous influence
which he said they have lately exercised
in France. The unpopularity of the
Prince with most of the members
OF the Assembly did not prevent
their siding with him on this occasion.
aud the bills were all rejected by large
majoritics. Meanwhile, and as the debates
were progressing, the Radical party pre-
pared an attack on the Government, by
raising the question WHY military escorts
have atterly been refused to deceased
members of the Legion Of Honor in
cases when they were buried without rcll-
glous ceremonies. They knew that with the
mass of the French people, honors legally
due to the dead would never be refused
on account of the remains being accom-
panied to the grave by II Protestant minis
ter or no minister ut all. instead of n CATH
Ollie priest. NJ. DUFAuRr, fearing the re-
suit of this question, sought to evade IT 10y
proposing that military honors should
henceforth be rendered only TO military
members OF the Legion of Honor dying in
active service. This was u concession on
his part hut the Assembly would not be
satisfied with IT. They imperativcly de-
manded that no change should he made in
the law on this subject. aud no difference
shown in the last honors paid 10 those
who had sufficiently distinguished them
selves 10 become members of the Legion ~
Honor. The Government had accordingly
20 Withdraw their measure and the tab-
rendered its resignation. Marshal MAO
NATION accepted the resignation. but
requested the Ministers to remain in office
until their successors are selected. II Is
most likely that the change will not be a
very important one. and that the Cabinet
VIII remain substantially the same. with
the exception Of NJ DUFhURE, for il i only
against HIM the Assembly was lighting.
The overthrow Of the Minister of Jus
ticc aud Worship should. however. 10y
no means be interpreted in the sense
that there Is any increase Of anii-re-
ligious feeling in France. The mas, II
the people in that country remain the
same, part of them being fcrventy pions
while the rest are perfectly Indifferent To
religion. The Assembly in defeating VI.
DUFAvRE's proposal, simply insisted upon
preserving the status quo in religious mat
tiers. GAMBErTA has Admiralty ex-
pressed the state OF opinion prevailing
among the majority of intelligent men
with reference to this subject. While ques-
tions of religious expenditure were under
discussion, radical member VI. MADIERDH
MoNTJoU, asked that the post 81 Ambnssa-
dor TO the Holy See should be abolished,
since the Pope was no longer a temporal
sovereign. GAMBErTA opposed him, arguing
that there We're probably about twenty
millions Of good Catholics in France,
whose wishes had to be considered, aud who
would certainly desire 10 see France pNor-
cisng her share OF Influence in case Of the
election of IA new Pope. lie clearly point
ca out that while leaving everybody AZ
perfect liberty 10 feel ana think as they
please, the Government cannot anord
to disregard the Pope So long H. Franco re-
mains "A Catholic country. Such nrgu-
mcnts coming from man in GAMur1rAs
position plainly Indicate that Francois not
yet going over TO atheism, aud that if she
! does not remain very ardent IN the faith.
she -till uphods religion as n matter Of
policy.
The rumors that political iroublei~ likely
to follow the resignation Of the Ministry
seem TO us greatly exaggerated.