The New Orleans daily Democrat., 1878-10-28
PARIS GOSSIP.
THE CONTEST FOR TME SEPARATION
OF CHURCH, ANw STATE.

cat1Oh-strength of the French Army
A Chapter of Grlrme-persenal Items.
Correspondence Of the Democrat
PARIS, October f. 1878
How strange must the European conflicts;
between Church and State read to Americans.
Faulty as may be our own government in
many respects, we certainly can boast ex-
emption from trouble accruing from the impo-
sltlon OF one creed, or the forms of creed, on
the governing body. Probably not one in
q dozen OF your readers pause to think what
Is religious liberty.
THE STRUGGLE IN FRANCE FOR FREE THOUGHT
should make them appreciate it, What would
an American Jew or Protestant exclam were
he informed by the directors of the public
schools that his children could only benefit
by those schools on condition that said chill
dren learned the Roman Catholic catechism
or bent the knee while repeating Roman Cath
olic prayers? We fancy we can hear the gush
Of Indignation that would drown such a
measure-one SO calculated to stunt public
progress by impeding public instruction Yet
such Is the actual state Of affairs in France
Thank Heaven, we live in land where Jew
and GENTLE, Catholic and Protestant can
each follow the bent of his belief without i'm
posing it on others.
If we are blind to the beauties of our sys-
ten Of government in this respect, France is
not She is determined to adopt one of our
vital principles-the separation of Church and
State. Garnbetta suggests that, among other
reforms, public instruction shall be taken out
Of the hands of the clergy.
We were glad to see our own country held
up as o model to France in the management
OF It's schools, at least so far as religion is CON
cerned.
The effect of Gambetta's now farnous)
speech at Romans is not confined to the stir
excited by the above question His Injunction
'to apply the law, seems literally to have been
carried outeven in more weghty matters,
Bishop Robert, recently appointed to the
bishopric Of Marseilles, wished to enter his
future episcopal seat with all the honors usual
on such an occasiOn-that is. q guard of
honor, cannons firlng4troops under arms etc
lhe project OF police interfered, backed By q
law that no religious ceremony can take
place outside Of editces consecrated to the
Catholic religion in cities where there are
churches pertaining to q different mode Of
worship" thatis, the existence OF o Protestant
church or q jewish temple in any city renders,
illegal any public Roman Catholic procession.
Bishop Robert avoided the scandal which
might have arisen in case of resistance on his
part, and entered the town in q private car |
rlage instead OF heading an escort of monks.
This event would seem to prove the truth
1f the rulnor that some French bishops have
applied to the Pope for Instructions how to |
lCt III the event OF certain emergencies which |
nay arise at the approaching elections. The
holy Father has replied that "under present
he can neither offer advice nor
can only assist the applicants |
~ his prayers |
1t is said that the PDpe's revenue this vnar |
S half what it was last.
GAMBETTAs SPEECH
he clergy. Mr.. de Falloux, who processes
himself q liberal Catholic-that is, he ae-
some Of the benefits Of the French
revolution has been the first to remonstrate
v gr Dupanloup is now preparing reply to
he Republican leader He is not a liberal
catholic, but an anti-revolutionist, and will
lot express views in the forthcoming reply
with those of Mr.. de FalOux 4
pllt in the Catholic party in the present state
Il affairs would be poor policy indeed. The
hat
lSince our correspondent wrote Mgr Du-
'anloup has died
These religious disputes do not make
rance forget her more material interests.
Ar. de Freycinet, the Minister Of Public
Works, has undertaken q gigantic system of
Internal improvements, which will not be
ompleted within the next ten years. For
he 1lrst year alone he demands a credit of
49, 7G46 $685. to be raised on per cent mortga-
eS. Inc year Will commence January J. 1879
Have you any curiosity as to the strength
I the French army? Here are some statig-
les which have interested us greatly
HE MILITARY AND NAVAL FORCES OF
FRANCE
onsst Of 100000 men; that is, one-tenth OF
le population. The permanent army CON
lists OF 100000 men, the navy of 30. 900, total
# fl,n Il e.
ontingent forces, men only required to serve
The event OF war, auxiliary services, etc.
10000; reserve Of the active army 700 06O,
Len at the disposal Of the Minister of Ma
ne $1,000; naval reserve $4,000. Territorial
rmy 100000, reserve Of the territorial arm /
5000 Ii the army would be mobiIized there +.
ould be staffs for 10000 men. Brt the J
ctive army, with it's reserve and disposable !
zen, consists OF 2,O80,000 troops; and the l
onsequence is that, after the above force had !
Il up vacancies 100000 men.
Last Saturday q remarkable case of mill 3
Try INSTRUMENTATION occurred. Lieut. Co1r-
lant des Sablons WAS returning to his home,
aVlng drned with some Of his relations. He Y
Iet the sergeant Of his regiment, and, seeing 8
i'm in state Of complete Drunkenness. or t
cred him Immediately to his quarters 50 t
; to avoid further disgrace, The sergeant c
lsWered insolently in turning away. A Sec '
I'd time he was met by the lieutenant, who
'peated his orders. The sergeant apparently b
9eyed, but really hid himself behind the an t
e OF wall where he knew the lieutenant Y
ust pass. Face to face with the unsuspect- Il
e. .Courchant, he drew his sabre bayonet and i
flicted three wounds on his officer before the :
tier could act on the defensive. One Of the +
trusts was on the right cheek, another b
trough the lungs, and q third through the 0
ligh Mr. CourChant fell, and his assauIter, 8
ith savage ferocty tramped on his body. c
0rtunatey sentinel, stationed near, called
'e guard, wounded the sergeant to make him
'slst from his Inurderou9 attack, carried the
scued man to the nearest cafe, and placed
e assailant under arrest. ;,
We know that every week in Paris Is expect q
to bring forth
SENSATIONAL MURDER, II
1t how harassed is 8 correspondent who has t
record three or four.
Another woman has been found near Mon +
Mer, not alone murdered for the i
IKE Of few jewels and q little money, but
hacked and dSsected by the rnur- Il
9rer, who has been arrested <
The head was found in one place. the arm,
ith o portion Of one breast, In another, the $
ltrail5 in another, etc.
| suppose your readers will have obeervnd g