The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-16
The French Elections.


The French Elections.
President MAoMAHoN has failed, or
rather let US say he has not gained much
for himself or his party in the elections Of
last Sunday for new Chambey OF Deputies,
10 replace the Chamber which was dissolved
cy him against the protest Of the Republic
can majority. The numerical strength OF
the Republicans in the next Chamber
viii be less than 1t was in the
last. At the time OF the dissolution in May.
they could count upon 1868 members, against
40 for all the factions OF their monarchical
opponents; and the nearly complete returns
Of Sundays elections show that. when the
Chamber Is again convened, their majority
will certainly be over l00and may reach 100.
Thus the party of the Republic has again
asserted its supremacy in France, and thus
the French people have once more proclaim
el their purpose 10 maintain the Republic
The result has been disappointing to both
parties. The Republicans have boa sted that
they would increase their majority OF 1863
- ut least 400; and GAMBErrA never got
tired Of asserting that he was as sure OF 400
rs Of the dawn OF the day OF election. Now
lie nnds that his party has lost perhaps
nifty members. while the party at which
he ieered has gained an equal number.
MAcMAHoS's Government, on the other
hand. boosted without censlng that their
united body OF Imperialists, Legitimists,
aud Orleanists would obtain the nscendancy
IN the Chamber. Tho successive manifes-
toes OF IMAGINATION gave assurance that
this would be the case; and the very day
before the election Minister FoURTou is
sued q circular to the Projects OF France
announcing that three hundred constitu-
encies were secure for the official candidates.
Now the Government has found that nearly
one hundred of these constituencies were
secure for the Republican opposition.
Under the circumstances Of the election,
II Is a remarkable success that the Republi-
cans have won. The three monarchcal
parties were combined against them as they
had never previously been combined. They
were confronted by the whole power OF the
administrative machine, which is so highly
organized and exercises such n pervasve
and tremendous power through France and
the official bodies were under the direction OF
that experienced boss OF elections, NJ. DE
FoURToU, Minister Of the Interior. The
Church, with all its agencies OF influence,
was against them, and displayed u
measure OF activity which has never
been surpassed, even in French poll
tics. All the forces at the disposal OF the
Government Of a country in which govern
Inent is n power that Immediately super
vises, II II does not control, all public inter-
csts, were brought To bear against the
republicans with an energy never be-
!oic paralleled, and an unscrupulousness
that had no limit. The Ministers and
the Projects, the petty functionaries
oad the police, struggled for the tri-
umph Of the Government as though
their political and eternal salvation depend
,d upon ii. Republican journals and speak
cfs were kept under a surveillance that
YVES almost ludicrous in its manifesto
tons; and the newsvender was no safer
tnan the Project, the wine-shop keeper
was no safer than the Deputy, when
anything like Republican squint was to lie
clscerne1 in his ways. Yet, notwithstand-
ig all these things. the Republicans have
returned to the Chamber with a majority
that leaves the Government no chance OF
disputng their power, In contest over any
measure OF policy.
What is likely to be the course OF MAC
NAHoSS Government IN view Of these
iacts The President must submit or re-
sign, said GAABETTA, 10 whom the Presl-
dent replied that in no event would he re-
{ gn. 1t is not improbable that the very
considerable gains made by the Govern
ment may encourage IMAGINATION TO repeat
the act OF dssolving the Chamber, and
try the fortunes %; another election. If, in
lis first great EFFORT, lie has added fifty Ia
che force OF his supporters, 30 that they
Number 30 in the Chamber. why may be not
indulge the hope that. IN another election, he
viii gain the additional fifty-eight required
- secure IA working majority; IL must
te remembered that he has taken ground
Toward the Republicans that makes il almost
impossible for him TO coOpernte with them
~ the conduct OF the Government. lie has
formally declared that he will not submit tc
their measures that he will not ahdcby thch
Clctation; that they arc doetructionistS and
anarchists, against whose schem"s lie j.
IeaGy. in the last resort. 10 launch the army
as the preserNer Of society, order, and r.
9ion. In another trial Of strength, he
o.. 5ft LuV" advantages that no do
At'@ l'r-'-' III llle lilhl OF luHl
:daday. he could, without trouble
ind an opportunity Tor the declaration
col martial law in Paris aud the other cities
.rgm which the Republicans derive thcii
lain strength; and under it. he would have
nothing like assurance OF the election:
farming out according to his desire Iii.
two most trusted advisers the Dukc
T. BEoGLGE and NJ. DE FouRToU, urgcc
iu'n before the election Of Sunday +,
'i'p' The cNpediont 81 martial law in Ger
t'n localities; mud it was only through tn,
rotcst Of the Minister Of Var that he VA
ltc'entcd from taking this step. In anothe
election the influence o. Gen. BrRIHAUD vii
Very certainlv be overcome by the deter
Iinat.Qn Of Or bHooLu, and DE FornTor
TIE situation in Franco * very fan q
Ier! Tie Whole country il fevcrish an
angry. The ierocty Of party spirit la
reached its highest pitch Another atteml
OF Presidsnt IMAGINATION to dissolve til