American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-02-08
THE FRENCH CRISIS.
President MacMahon Resigns-His Letter
to the Chamsers-M. Jules Grevy Chos-
President.

President MacMahon Resigns-His Letter
to the Chamsers-M. jules Grevy Chos.
en- President.
Pants, January 3O.-President MacMalf0r
has rendered his resignation in the following
letter, which was read before 10th houses:
st the opening of this session of the CHAM
bers the ministry presented to you a pro
gramme which, while aHura'ng satisfaction
to public opinion, appeared to Che Cabinet
such as might be voted without danger to tic
sec,iri.y or good administration of the coun-
try, and, putting aside all personal views,
had given the programme l:iy 1perobation
for was sacrificing no principle to Thirb
conscience eomm s me to remain faifii,
to RESPOND 9.n to n the Opinion Of the
maiSpty to in the ryar Two TO b,x6 6ham6ers
commands some general measures which
consider contrary to the interests Of the
Army, and, consequently, to those OF the
country. can not subscribe to them. ANY
other Ministry taken from the majority would
slider myself therefore, bound to shorten the
duration of mandate which the national
Assembly corfided to me, and 1 therefore
In quitting power, 1 have tie ronso lation OF
thinking that during the 53 years havc ~
voted TO the service of my country, either as
a soldier or a citizen; have never been guild
ed by sentiments other than horror and duty
and absolute devotion to my country.
Irequest you to communicate my decision
to the Chambers.
fSignedl IMAGINATION, Duke OF Magenta.
The two Chambers were opened by M
MarteI, who again read President MacMa-
hons letter OF resignation and the articles
of the Constitution. M. De Gavardie, Sem
ator, amid shouts of disapprobation, a-ked
whethef Congress accepted the resignation
of President MacManOn. Congress set this
inquiry aside by voting the previous dues-
ton by large majority, and, after appoint
ing telleIs, proceeded to vote for President
of the Republic. Seven hundred and thir-
teen Senators and Deputies were Present,
of whom $40 voted. The absolute
majority required we. 1856. M. Jules
eral DeChanzy 90. NJ. Grevy Wa.
accordingly declared elected, and was pro-
claimed President Of the Republic for the
term of seven years. Forty three blank
voting PAPERS were deposited. the voting
was secret. The only incidents were the ap-
plauding of Victor Hugo and others of the
Left as they advanced to the tribune, and
hooting at Baragnon, Broglie, Buffet and
other unpopular members OF the Right.
There was a perfect frenzy OF enthusiasm
when the figures were announced, members
of the Left and the public in the galleries
rising in body and repeatedly shouting
Tice la Repubttque!
INSIDE HISTORY OF THE CRISIS.
At Tuesdays Council, atevy, Minister Of
War, submitted his list to the President
Gen. CREWS decree dealt with the nine
Generals; of these, four were to be trans
1erreO, ana HVe-bOurDakl, Del4artlgue,
Bataille, Dubarail and MOntandon-def-
nitels relieved. Marshal MacMahon de-
clared he could not sign this decree, !"
can not, he said, " sign decree suppressed.
companions, whose legal term Of command
only expires in five or six months. There is
no danger in my refusal. / can not consent
to stay at such cost. 1 blush at the thought.
/ assure you, on my honor, L will not
do it. 1t will have to be another
who does it, Political categories must not
be created in the Army. l would prefer to
resign. My children would not forgive me
for such an act. can not, where the Army
is concerned, for which i am responsible be-
fore the Nation, obey the injunctions Of
newspapers like these" And the Marshal
showed two Republican newspapers which
for some days back have been publishing
lists of offices classed in political categories.
The Ministers said nothing, for after hear
ing this it was difficult to form an immediate
resolution. The Council accordingly adj
journed.