New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-09-21
MACN.iHON'S MENACE.

The manifesto just ssued by Marshal Mac
Mahon. Duke of Magenta and President OF
the Republic of France, is a political curiosity,
Despotic threat and demagogical suavity
maintenance and overthrow of right, assurance
of security and alarm of danger, were never
before so mixed and blended within such a
small compass. We are reminded OF that
triumph of Chinese culinary art, roasted ice,
which must be eaten while the inclosing bat
ter is hot and its cold kernel still unmelted.
But MacMahOn has allowed too much time Tor
the consumption of his dish: the one hard ele-
ment which gives it form will dissolve long
before the elections are held, and leave but a
sodden mass in the mouths of the people. 1t
would have produced an effect for the space
of twenty four hours, perhaps, and he would
have been wise to delay its PRONUNCIATION until
tho latest possible moment. There is still
abundance of time for that analysis which
must excite disgust, if ii cannot wholly allay
the general anxiety.
1t seems hardly worth while to examine
carefully n document which invents danger
in order to meet it by assertions which con-
tradict themselves. France desires stability,
"order and peace" says the Marshal-all
/
the Chamber 81 do not assume to exercise
"any pressure upon your choice" but" my
Government will designate among the candi-
"dates those who alone are authorized TO
"make use of my namew There is no con-
stitutional king IN Europe who would dare to
nominate his own candidates, and command
his people TO vote for them. "The Constitu-
"tion is intrIsted to my guardianship"
nevertheless, even is hostile elcctiOnsD
should "aggravate a conflict" " | shall remain
&" to defend Conservative interests, with the sup
sport of the Senate" etc. This is Esau as
suming the voice of Jacob. The language is
that of a cOnsummate political trickster the
meaning is that of a harsh soldier, in an
enemys country. The substance of the mani
fcsto is simply this: 81, Marshal MacMahon,
"wa5 tired of the increasing Republican major
"ity in my Chamber of Deputies. | dissolved
" that Chamber TO get rid of it. ] warn You,
L" Frenchmen. to vote for my candidates but
"cvcn if you repeat the Republican majority.
q" | shall stay where l am, and govern you
L" with a Conservative Ministry"
There is one phrase in the document which
we should think as humiliatng to all true
Frcnchmen as it is pretentiOus in the Marshars
mouth. He ascribes the good relations of the
Republic with other powers, as due alone TO
"the personal confidence with which | am
"honored by foreign sOvereigns!" The world
has hitherto supposed that these good relations
were chiefly due-in the order of time-first,
to the wisdom and energy of President Thiers;
secondly, to the patience, courage and vast re-
operative power of the French people; and,
lastly, to the developed practical sense of the
Republican majority. MacMahon inherited
Government of order, organized out of difficult
ties and dangers. He seems to have taken it
in the hope that some part of the machinery
would wear out soon, and require a monarchi-
cal substitute; foiled in this hope, he now
forcibly NEEDLES with its operation, and tries
to veil his design by cry of alarm. 1t is an
old trick, bunglingly repeated. His Govern
ment, not satisfied with the worlds charitable
suspicion of stupidity, is now taking unneces-
sary pains to make itself Infamous.