The Worthington advance., 1877-09-27
McMAHON'S EDlCT.

The following is the full text of Nc
Mahon's manifesto:
FRENCHMEN: You are about to be
called upon to nominate your representa-
tivcs in the chamber of deputies. I do
not assume to exercise any pressure upon
your choice, but I feel bound to dispel
any doubt upon what you are about to
do. What have done is this: For the
last four years have maintained peace,
and the personal confidence with which /
am honored by foreign soverejgns enables
me daily to render our relations with all
powers more cordial at home. Public
order has never been disturbed for a
moment, owing to the policy of concord
which brought around men devoted be-
fore all things to their country. Public
prosperity, momentarily arrested by our
misfortunes, has recovered its elasticity.
The general wealth has increased not
withstanding the heavy burdens borne by
the people. The national credit has been
strengthened, and France, peaceable and
confident at the same time, sees her army
always worthy of her, reconstructed upon
a new basis.
These great results were, however.
threatened with danger. The chamber
of deputies daily throwing off the leader
ship of moderate men and more and more
dominated by the avowed leaders of the
radical party, at length forgot the kshare
of authority which belonged to me and
which could not allow to be diminished,
without invading the honor of my name
before you. and before history. Contest
ing at the same time my rightful influ-
ence in the senate, the chamber of depu-
ties aimed at nothing less than substitu
ting for the necessary equilibrium of
public powers established by the consti-
tuition, the despotism of a new convention.
Hesitation was no longer permissible.
Exercising my constitutional right and
in conformity with the opinion of the
senate, dissolved the chamber of depu-
ties. 1t is now for you to speak. They
tell you seek to overthrow the republic,
but you will not believe it.
The constitution is entrusted to nv
guardianship and will make it respect
ed. What look for from you is the
election of chamber which, rising itself
above party rivalries, will occupy itself
before all things with the country's affairs.
At the last election an abuse was made of
my name among those who then pro-
claimed themselves my friends. Many
have not ceased to oppose me. People
will speak to you of their devotion to INV
person aud assert that they only attack
my ministers. Do not be duped by this
artidce. To frustrate it my government
will designate among the candidates
those who alone are authorized to make
use Of my name. You will naturally con-
slider the bearing of your votes. Elections
favorable to my policy will facilitate the
regular conduct of the existing govern
ment. They will affirm principles Of auth
ority opposed by demagogues and will as.
sure order and peace. Hostile elections
would aggravate conflict between pub
lie powers as we'll as impede the course of
business and maintain agitation, and
France in the midst of these fresh COM
plications would become for Europe an
object of distrust.
As for myself, my duty would increase
/ with the danger. l could not obey the
mandates Of demagogues. I could neith-
| e- become the instrument of r.dicalism
nor abandon the post in which the con-
stitution has placed me. I shall remain
to defend the conservative interests with
the support of the senate, and shall ener-
getically protect the faithful public, who
at difficult move have not allowed
themselves to be inundated by vain
threats. Frenchmen, I wait with full
confidence the manifestation of yonr SEN
timents: After so many trials France de-
| sires stability, order and peace, and with
Gods help we will secure to the country
these benefits. You will listen to the
words of soldier who serves no party
and no revolutionary or retrograde pas
sion, and who is guided by nothing but
love tor his country.
The manifesto is countersigned by the
minister Of the interior. The decree fix.
ing the date of the elections for October
| 18th will be published on the 22d inst.