The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-07-26


radical. During the lapse of the single
century past, she has been ruled by
Kings, by Emperors, by Directory, by
a Consul, and three times under Repub-
lies. Every one of those Kings and En-
perors, six in number, has abdicated,
fed, and died in exile, except one, who
was beheaded within sight Of his own
throne. Surely, these events, all occur
ring within a single century Of this most
enlightened age, are sufficient to war
rant Burke's philippe in densninating
France as ''the Empire OF Sedition."
With such a record Of change and tur-
bulence, "of sedition, privy conspiracy
and rebelliou," it is not surprising that
men question the stability of The present
French Republic. But little more than
six years have elapsed since this third
Republic OF France was proclaimed, and
even now every principle OF true repub-
lIcanism is outraged by the incumbent
of the Presidency Of that Republic. by
his order the press OF France is mtzzled.
IL PoHAASh ouSuV 10 SAS Nv
istration Of MaeMahon is to incur the
penalties of fine and impris sonment ana
the suppression Of the publishers pa
per. The mails are scrutinized to dis
cover any evidence of the utterings of
opposition or discomfort, whereon to
found accusation before the criminal
tribunals. By the Presidents order the
French Assembly Is arbitrarily dis
solved, all projects of the provinces un-
| favorable to MacMahon are summarily
dismissed. In the new election for
members Of the Assembly, MacMahon
openly indicates who are the "GOVern-
ment candidates." for whom all officials
are required to vote and to assistin pro-
curing their election among the people.
How long would such courses be toler-
ated In this country? And yet the
presen MT government Of France is called
republican.
| Whether it be the purpose OF the Pres
ident OF FRANCE to bring about resto-
ration of monarchy by a coup d'etat, such
as made Napoleon Emperor, in his own
| behalf, or on behalf of Bourbon
| or Bonaparte, he has certainly
shown his hostility to the Republic that
he presides over. Indeed, MacM ahon is
in no sense a Republican, nor ever has
been. His election was brought about
by a coalition OF MonarchistE, who ex-
| IA 70 Rppnhl n
even at the expense Of revolution. A
Monarchist himself, he is surrounded by
the old French nobility as his trusted
ministers and friends. 1t is not pre-
sumable that these have ever abated
one lot or title OF their hereditary ha-
tired of q Republic. That they them
selves consider the Republic as bnt
short-lived, is manifested by the peril
nacity with which they cling to their
titles of nobility, which will better be.
come them when they appear once more
as courtiers around a throne.
1t must strike any one as an anoma-
and Marquises and Counts and Rarons
sitting as members Of Congress in Re-
public! The inconsistency is too slar-
| ing and absurd to be without pGrpet-
ual sting to their hereditary pride.
Granting that there are with them un-
titled men, men of the people, as sagac-
ious and as ambitious as themselves,
men who will aim as high and strive as
hard s{pr the renown they covet, still
they do not and can not eclipse those
titled dignitaries before the eyes of the
French people. Accustomed to rever.
encing great titles and yielding ohedi.
ence to glittering crowns, that people
do not regard the aims Of their aristoc-
racy with the jealousy that would be
found among Americans. Their long-tu-
tored veneration for a snowy nobility as
a common feature in their political and
social systems would induce the French
people by thousands to break out in
would not accord to plain W0nSieGi
Theirs or Gambetta.
Moreover, while the elective franchise
has been conferred to a liberal extent
France has failed to give corresponding
extension TO her public education. With
some OF the finest scholars in the world,
France has peasantry among the most
| uplettered in the world. Emotional by
! nature as race, multitudcs of these
| common people would be found quite
willing to accept in a government brill
fancy for strength, and will be as ready
to confide In the protection of throne
surrounded by the regllIa of heredi.
tary nobility, as to rely upon the prom
Uses of a plain unepauletted Republic.
But there is also another and very
different class OF the common people OF
France. They are better informed, but
more intolerant and turbulent than the
former. Their prejudices against the
aristocracy are stern and invincible
They would resist unto blood the rein.
statement of the AFRO Iant nobility, whom
possibly envy, but more probably
wrongs, have prompted them to hold in
detesta;ion.
Here, then, are found most DANCE rous