The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-20

by four-nrths OF the Chamber. Tho small
proportion Of Orlcanists returned shows
that as political factor this party may be
considered as cxtinguishcd; and with them
the Duke DE BROGLGE will doubtless lind
himself compelled to retire from the pulit-
cal arena. The Bonapartists, ON the other
hand, appear in increased force, and il may
therefore bc possible for Monsieur DE FOUR
TOT to remain III Office. The Duke DECAZhs
has already served every political shade Of
which French Governments have been com
posed since the early days of Monsieur
TnrRs's Administration, and has exhibited
n lccch-likc propensity which IL not likely
now to desert him II will bc necessary for
the Marshal 10 introduce into his Cabinet
some men from the Left Centre SO as to de-
tach, If possible, Il sufficient group to give
him u small majority. There can he no
doubt that there are among the 1876 a con-
siderable number who, although they were
not Government candidates. would only bc
too glad now that they are in the Chamber,
to find an excuse for supporting the Govern
mcnt, provided that the Marshal does not
render it impossible by the extreme charac-
ter Of his measures These are the men that
in doing SO. he alicnatcs some Of his ultra
clerical and lcgitimst supporters. the effect
will bc rather favorable to him than
otherwise, and he will win from the Left
Centre in proportion as he loses from the
extreme Right. The nvariable tendency of
the French Chamber has been for the two
extremes to unite. and for the Government
to derive its working majority from the two
Centres.
II is to he remembered that the action OF
the Marshal in exercising the most violent
pressure upon the country during the clcc-
ton does not strike the electoral mind of
France as it would that Of any country ac-
customcd 10 constitutional government.
The Republicans themselves have no right
to complain Of it, When GAMBErTA issued
his proclamation from Tours ordering the
elections in 1871. he expressly excluded as
ineligible all persons who had at any time
held public Offices under the empire. At no
period since the young Dictator, as hc was
then called, controlled the press Of the
country, has it been allowed less liberty
than under his regime; and the lnpcrialist
journals can show that they have suffered
far more under Republican rule than the
tration Of Monsieur DE FoURToU.
Had GAMBfrrA been President instead Of
MACMAHoN. with monarchical vote Of 1868
in the Chamber against a small Republican
minority, his previous acts warrant the
belief that, 70 prevent the return Of mo-
narchcal Chamber, he would have resort.d
even to more violent measures than any now
adopted by the Government. The fact that
some day or other the Republicans may still
desire 20 do this, is one reason why political
tyranny resulting in fines and inprison-
nent does not produce the same impress
sion on the public mind that 1t would in
America. Monsieur GAMBErTA submits to
his penalties cheerfully, for he cherishes
the hope that the day may come when the
positions will be reversed. and when Mon
sicur DE FoURToU, inadvertently COM
mcnting upon his political acts. will be
bounced upon by hi. police and tried, con-
victcd. and punished by his Judges.
1t is a mistake To suppose that any
Frcnchman who has yet risen to the sur
face Of politics, has shown the slightest
Respect for political liberty, or any intcll-
gent comprehension Of the principles Of
constitutional government. In spite of his
posthumous manifesto, no French states
man, not even excepting Marshal MAC
MAHoS. who cannot he called Il statesman,
has shown himself more ignorant of these
principles than Monsieur THEIRS himself.
His conception of republic was to pre-
serve intact the centralized machinery
of the empire with President who
together with his Cabinet: but that the
d..
and not collectively responsible to the Cham
bier. In other words. they were to bee the
scapcgoats Of the President, that great
official himself ascending the tribune and
sacrificing one whenever he should find 1t
necessary to anpease the angry multitude.
Mnilr however, he made his ministers re-
sponsihe TO the Chamber for their various
departments, be- only allowed them mere
shadow of authority in those departments.
.le hlms, II proposed the measure and If IL
turned out well, he assembled hctribune and
took the cr,siit Of it; while if it turned out
badly, lie made his minister ascend the
tribune and defend IL; aud when he had
failed, offered him up gracefully. Toward
tine end of his career 1t is not surprising
that hc found il difficult 10 get men to 90
INTO his Cabinet TIIrR,'s notion seemed
to hc that as President he should govern
the country automatically, and that as
member Of the Chamber and its first mimic
ton. Dee was Responsible t. himself alone a.
prr-ticnt. while NJ AcM NIoN appears to inn
as'ae chat as President mot in the Cham
hcf. hr is r,- pYu- BILE toiho country. and that
the Chamlnr s. responsible to his ministers.
WHAT GAMu.rrA's hirn viii Zee should he