The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-02-17
FRENCH REPUBLICANISM.
National Lessons from the Result O
the Senatorial Elections.
The Republican Majority Scare ia
the European Monarchies.
MAcMAHON IN A CRITICAL POSITION.


All the courts and cabinets OF Europe, excepting
perhaps, the authorities OF the Swiss Canton who do
not properly constitute court cabinet alarmed
at the result of the French elections for the Senate
because these elections have unquestonaby placed tho
republican party in power The electoral strug.
gle cannot be more briefly and at tho time
accurately described than a trial Of strength be-
tween
N. GAMBErrA AND BUFFET
in which NJ Gambetta has gained a manifest advan.
tage whether the which the republican victory
has given to the monarchists is not little irrational
and premature must be considered as quite another
question One of the ceares aspects which the popu
lar triumph presents at this moment is the defeat OF
the Bonaparsts, and, should they have been perma.
nenty abated with them goes the principle Of personal
government and the feverish thirst military glory
out and away from French politics. That certainly
an important thing and there other considerations
equally weghty for the diplomacies OF the Old World
which grow out of careful study OF this Senatorial
election business 1t has taught tho various political
factions which have been fighting for the crown in
France to known their strength which, perhaps,
the party chiefs knew well enough before but the
rank and Gle did not know It, Moreover. the country
at large did know IT, and II any intelligent
had been asked what were
THE PROSPECTS OF FRANCE
a week ago nine OF them would have answered that
they saw the Empire coming back within period
more or less short, but assuredly not long Now
body believes that the Bonaparss have any chance at
all. Their chances may indeed revive some day, be-
cause nothing is impossible, but public opinion has
pronounced itself pcremptorily against all idea OF
imperial restoration at present No sophisry get
the plain meaning the fact that the mperalists
have had fair trial of forces and that they have been
beaten. They no longer indulge seriously in any
Illusion the subject There was up the close Of
last month, very general and apparently well
founded impression that Paris secretly BonapartsL
1t was thought not without show OF reason, that
city inhabited chiefly by those classes which thrive
best the luxury and spendor of court would have
rcjoced Napoleon W ascend his fathers throne
If only for the magnificent ceremonies and the enor-
nous expenditure which would have attended his
coronation and the immense influx OF wealthy strangers
from all parts of the world who would have been at
tracted by IT, The imperalists have no doubt cher
ished this hope, and even speculaed freely upon It
security which could be gwen for
BoSAPARTIsT
which recently negotiated in Holland But how
il has proved be estimated for Paris has
just conferred the most splendid compliment in his
tory the republican Victor Hugo, who IS not only
the bitterest but the most powerful and the most
prominent of the enemies of the Napoleons. Paris,
supposed to be really the stronghold of courtly in
nuences, actually elected NJ. Victor Hugo as her sole
delegate and representative mo such trust having
before been conded by great city TO single citiZenh
Department
five republican Senators, and absolutely refused Ia
record vote in favor of any one Bonapartst or Other
monarchcal candidate.
FOLLOW.
have dealt first with the overthrow Of the Imperial
party because no one entertained either hopes OF feaf
that the legitmsts the 0reanlsts could win vic
tory But the issue OF the Senatorial elections carried
the French people far beyond the fall of Bona
partisan. Marshal MacNahon has been not less
petey worsted than the OF his old master at Chs
ehurst IL is notorious that the President and his
Prime Minister NJ. Buffet, are bitterly hostile to the
permanent establishment Possibly
Aahon, being family mar, with fine son and heir,
might be himself induced TO accept the imperial crown
OF France II IL offered 10 him; but the Marshal
does disguise attempt to disguise his prediction
for the monarchica form Of government over that OF
republic Well the French people having been
and again officially informed Of the Marshals
timents on the subject, have now publicly rebuked
him, and unanimously refused to give his monarchical
Premier NJ. Buffet q place in the Senate at ALL Both
the Prime Minister and his right hand man, Dufaure,
have ANONYMOUSLY rejected by the popular voice
solely account Of their antrepublican opinions.
A WARNING OF DANGER TO THE MoNARcHIEs.
Now herein is a bitter nut 10 crack for the courts
and cabinets OF Europe. Should French Republic be
established firm basis with President at a small
salary and universal equality, the people Of neghbor
ing States will may begin to ask themselves whether
they also cannot, do without kings and queens, civil
lists and gorgeous sinecures useful for nothing Pos
sibly, probably, the OF human happiness may not
be materially increased by change of form of gov
eminent for another Abuses, ministerial and other
WISE will never from the world But this serles
of events may now be expected
Ffrst-The courts and cabinets of the Old World
will do all that craft and courage can urge them
do TO upset the French Republic before II is CONSOLE
dated.
Second The republican majority in both branches
Of the French Legislature being unused 10 the cautious
exercise of power will abuse their strength
in premature attempt to crush their opponents out OF
existence and their opponents thus being driven TO
despair will die hard
THIRD Marshal MacMahon. OF military in
sncts, finding his government turned out OF Parlla-
ment, will elect TO govern without Parliament and
both the Senate and the Chamber OF Deputies will
protest against this form OF administration denouncng
1t as C1sarIan, and in eloquent speech generally.
THB GOVERNMENT or FRANCE
is republic with monarchcal Institutions repre-
scented by majority OF Deputies Of the people deter
mined on aboshng those institutions Therefore one
party the other must give way, and then will como
the final tug OF war. Divested of all nonsense and
rhodomontade the question will then stand thus
FIrsL-European republcanism asking for liberty and
equality, with fraternity perhaps, by and by, as We
draw nearer the millennium. European republican
ism represented by all the brain power eloquence and
poetry Of the Old World certain TO establish sefin
glory sooner later but seems 10 want more martyrs
Second -Empcrors kings queens. grand dukes,
princes INCLUDING Baden and honacO), courters,
snecurists, nnanciers, loan mongcrs fearful folk,
titles all crying "fudgen Liberty. equality, frater-
nifty, forsooth ye breechless republicans and radical
toggery There never were such things In the
world and never will betn
Be IL likewise remembered that MacMahon now him
self a ruler OF the earth and therefore, consortng with
other rulers q the Garth, mostly monarchia equal
terms. Is likely 10 be much Influenced by the argu-
he will hear from sovereigns their ambassadors
and representatives. Moreover that the public opinion
OF France has put out OF his power to rule them
constitutionally his own principles He must either
consent to be frankly aud heartily republican hence
forth and quietly TO resign his authority the expra-
ton OF the term allotted TO II or he must resolve upon
A STROKE OF sTATEcRAPr
Of which no man can At present foresce the conse-
quenccs. An exhausted and discouraged nation might
offer him the crown, victorious rabble might hoot
HIM into exile. The army, the navy and the principal
adm nstration offices are still filled chiefly BY Bona
partsts but the French nation Is as we have seem re-
publican and an army has never yet been found 70 act