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 a Scare to
the European Monarchies.
IMAGINATION 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 are alarmed
at the result Of the French elections for Senate
because these elections have unquesonaby placed the
republican party in power The electoral strug
gle cannot be briefly and at the same time more
accurately described than a trial of strength be-
tween
GAMBETrA BUFFET,
in which NJ Gambetta has gained manifest advan.
tage. whether the which the republican victory
has given to the monarchsts a little irrational
and premature must be considered quite another
question One OF the clearest aspects which the popu
lar triumph presents at this moment is the defeat OF
the Bonapartists and, should they have been perma-
nenty abated with them goes the principle Of personal
government and the feverish thirst for military glory
and away from French politics That is certainly
an important thing and there other considerations
equally weghty for the diplomacies OF the Old World
which grow of careful study OF this Senatorial
election business 1t has taught the various political
factions which have been lighting 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 not know it, and IL any ten 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 Bonapartss have any chance
all. Their chances may indeed revive some day. be-
cause nothing is impossible but public opinion has
pronounced itself peremptorily against all idea or
imperial restoration at present No sophisry get
over the plain meaning OF the fact that the mperalists
have had fair trial Of forces and that they have been
beaten. They no longer indulge seriously in any
IN was nm In ho clo of
last month, a very general and apparently well
founded impression that Paris secretly Bonapartst
II 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 to Napoleon w. ascend his fathers throne
II only for the magnificent ceremonies and the
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 II. The imperialsts have doubt cher
ished this hope, and even speculated freely upon IT.
1t probably looked upon the best part OF the
security which could be gwen for
BoSAPARrlsT
which was recently negotiated in Holland. But how
vain IL has proved can now be estimated for Paris has
just conferred the most splendid compliment in his
tory the republican Victor Hugo, who is not only
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 having
before been confded by great city TO single citizenh
and subsequently the Department OF the Seine elected
FIVE republican Senator's and absolutely refused ia
record favor of any Bonapartist or Other
monarchical candidate.
FOLLOW.
have dealt first with the overthrow of the Imperial
party because entertained either hopes
that the egtmists or the Oreanists could win vic.
tory But the issue OF ths Senatorial elections carried
the French people far beyond the fall of Bona
partisan. Marshal MacMahon has been not less
petey worsted than the of his old Chs.
elhurst IL is notorious that the President and his
Prime Minister, NJ Buffet, bitterly hostile to the
permanent establishment OF republic. Possibly Mao
Mahon being family man. with fine and heir,
might be himself induced TO accept the imperial
OF France II II were offered 70 him. but the Marshal
does disguise attempt to disguise his prediction
for tho monarchcal form OF government that OF
republic. We'll, the French people having been
and again officially informed Of the Marshal
timents on the subject, have now publicly rebuked
him. and unanimously refused to give his monarchica
Premier, NJ Buffet, place in the Senate at ALL Both
the Prime Minister and his right hand man. Duaure,
have been ANONYMOUSLY rejected by the popular voice
solely on account Of their anti-republican opinions
WARNING DANGER MoNARcHIEs
Now herein is bitter nut to 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 sum OF human happiness may not
be materially increased by change Of one form OF gov
eminent for another. Abuses, ministerial and other
WISE will never from the world But this scrics
Of events may now be expected
FTsL-The courts and cabinets OF the Old World
will do all that craft and courage can urge them TO
do 10 upset the French Republic before 1t is CONSOLE
dated.
Second The republican majority in both branches
Of the French Legislature being unused TO the cautious
and discreet exercise OF power will abuse their strength
premature attempt to crush their opponents out OF
existence and their opponents, thus beng driven to
despair, will die hard.
Third-Narshal MacMahon, a man Of military In
stincts, finding his government turned out OF Para-
ment will elect govern without Parliament, and
both the Senate and the Chamber Of Deputies will
protest against this form OF nistration denouncing
1t as Cnsarian, and in eloquent speech generally
TIIB GOVERNMENT OF FRANCE
is a republic with monarchical institutions, repre-
scented by majority OF Deputies OF the people deter
mined on abolishing those institutions Therefore
party the other must give way and then VIII como
the final tug OF war. Divested OF all nonsense and
rhodomontade the question will then stand thus
FrsL-European republicanism asking FOR liberty and
equality with fraternity, perhaps, by and by, as
draw nearer TO the millennium European republican
ISM represented by all the brain power, eloquence and
poetry OF the Old World certain 10 establish tsefin
glory later but seems TO want more martyrs
Second -Empcrors, kings, queens. grand dukes.
princes Including Baden and Monacol courtiers,
snecurists nnanciers loan mongcrs, fearful folk,
mobiles and expectant nobility growing rich TO buy
titles all crying "fudgein Liberty equality frater-
nifty forsooth 20 breechless republicans and radical
toggery There never were such things in the
world and never will bel"
Be Il likewise remembered that MacMahon now him.
self ruler OF the earth, and therefore, consortng with
other rulers q the GARTH mostly monarchal equal
terms. is likely TO be much Influenced by the argu-
ments he will hear from soveregns their ambassadors
and representatives Moreover that the public opinion
OF France has put out OF his power rule them
constitutionally his principles He either
consent TO be frankly aud heartily republican hence
forth and quietly 70 resign his authority the expira-
ton OF the term allotted TO II or he must resolve upon
A STROKE sTATEcRAFT
OF which no at present forescc the conse-
quences. An exhausted and discouraged nation might
offer him the crown, victorious rabble might hoot
him into exile. The army, the navy and the principal
partsts but the French nation Is we have seem
publican and army has never yet been found TO act