New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-11-07
com CHEER ron FRINGE.

The peOpe of France have passed their first
test examination in practical politics, aud have
been graduated SuB,mG cum tduie. The re-
duced Republican majority in the Chamber OF
IDENTITIES, resulting from the election on the
18th of October, was none the less rebuke
70 the MacMahon Government, and brought
confusion into tho camps OF the monarchlcai
conspirators. Even the boldcst and most
reckless of the latter were compelled to
pause; and this is one of those crises
where the least hesitation has the moral elect
of failure. 1t required but a few days to as
sure France of the validity of the Republican
triumph, and the end of all danger from
violent measures on the part OF the Govern
ment. The wisdom of the policy adopted by
the popular leaders, and SO fOrbearingly OBJ
served by the people themselves, has given
the party, notwithstanding the reduction in
the number of its representatives, strength
which it never before possessed. 10 the
prestige of numbers is now added that OF
prudence and patriotism.
Had the Government been able to draw any
cheer from the October election, It's influence
might have been powerfully exertcd upon that
which was held last Sunday, Tor the choice o!
Councillors-Gcneral and Councillors of ArrOn-
easements. These officials being Senatorial
electors, the maintenance Of the Government
majority i'll the Senate depends upon them
Yet the elections, 50 far AS heard from, indi-
cate very large Republican gains in both
classes of Councillors; the majority may pos
sby reach as high as 80 per cent.
This, however, does not yet give us
clew to the probable changes in
the composition of the Senate, for much de-
pends upon the manner IN which the gains
are distributed among the separate General
Councils. The Senate of France contains 300
members, about 12O of whom can be called
distinctiyely Republican, The yote on the
dissolution of the Chamber, last June, was $50
yeas to 1870 nays, the former representing the
utmost strength of the Government at that
time. 1t would probably be somewhat less
now One fourth of The Senate is elected
by the Chamber of Deputies of the remain
ing 225 Departmental Senators-as they are
called in France-one- third, or - members,
must be renewed in November, 1878, by the
General Councils now elected. But of the rs
members to be retired (unleSs reGlected), 81
voted for the dissolution of the Chamber, IS
against il, and the rest abst;rned from voting
4 change of only IL votes would lose the
Senate to the Government and give Repub-
lean majority to both legislative bodies. This
is now almost certain to take place, and it
removes all danger of second attempt to
dissolve the Chamber Of Deputies.
The change of Ministry, while it is natural
consequence of the failure Of De Broglie's and
F0urtou'5 plans, means nothing more than a
piece of tempouzng. Except ouyer-QHcrter,
the names reported are not such as would con-
tribute strength to the Government. General
Berthaut and Admiral Gicque DIES Touches,
who will probably remain in any case, are not
polihcians, and are understood To be accept
able to the Republicans. But the first attempt
of P0uyer-Quer,ier to establish a new Min
istry has already failed, and it seems to
be taken for granted that the Duke de
BrOglie must represent the Government
when the Chamber of Deputies con-
vcnes. Under the circumstances, this is
not a matter of much Importance. There must,
of necessity be new Ministry; and the first
change can only be a temporary device. which
seems 10 yield nothing, yet which at least will
make an additional change, such as the Cham
her expects, somewhat less embarrassing. The
Republican party is too emphatically victorious
to be subjected to new indgnities Ii it con-
tinues to be firm, digniGcd and united, as here
tofore, it will govern France hcncefOgth-even
with Marshal Mcmahon as Presidential figure
head.