The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-17
our Paris LETTER.
Exit MncMnhon. the Soldier, and Enter Grew,
the Lnwyer-Cnmbetta'- Chance.

PARIS. Fob. 1.-The resignation Of Mar
shal MacMahon TOOK most people by sur
prise and tho immediate and inevitable
result Of surprise in Paris IL panic.
CT all urban populations in the world. the most
tmid is the Partisan. Perhaps. considering
the number Of times that tho cutters Of that
centre OF civilization have flowed with the blood
Of its Inhabitants. this is not to be- wondered at;
but on this occasion there really was no chance
Of their flowing with anything moro
alarming than liquid mud. and the
only barricades which could cnusc the
slightest danger or Inconvenience wcro
those formed by the snow; nevertheless. cx-
cited groups collected in the boulcyards. tho
kiosks disposed OF their journalistic con-
tents more rapidly than they could be sup
piled and II you paid visit to n lady the first
question was sure TO bo whether 1t was safe to
remain in Paris.
II 3 only fair to say that all this only
lasted few hours. and that the tinid
women were invariably Impcrasts or L"giti
msts. who were devoutly wishing in their
hearts that there might be u revolution which
should bring dseredt on the republic. and so
prepare the way for the advent Of the particular
autocrat Of their fancy. II IL now beginning
to dawn upon the French public that not
merely Ministerial but n Presidential
crisis IL possible without nm attendant
revolution. In fact. the ofcncr these peace
able crises occur the better in ono sense.
it will be-. as 1t will accustom the people To pclit
zeal changes unaccompanicd by violence. and
so gradually lead them 10 take an active part IN
politics. Tho tradition That no man can be "A
politician in France without being n dangerous
conspirator IL one Of the most serious obstacles
TO self government; and even since the cstub-
lis Of no I
heard an advocate nsk witness in court 10y
why Of discroditng his evidence and showing
that he was dangerous character. whether
hc had ever taken part in politics.
In the present casr. the triumph Of the Min
istry ten days before broke the fall Of the Prrsi-
don't II would have been impossible for so
serious an event as n change Of President To
have taken place under moro favorable
circumstances Tho Lnft. led 10y VI. Gambetia.
had Just received most severe lesson. From
all parts Of the country they were told to mod
crate their republican ardor. and tho existing
Cabinet were stronger than over in the national
support. Had the Marshal overcome his seru-
pies about the military nominations. there is no
doubt that the impeachment OF the Brogic-
Fourou Cabinet would have been dropped he
would hUyo risen in value as n Presidential
candidate at the expiration Of his term. and the
have been rendered more and more difficult
aud unpopular Fortunately for Gambetta.
NJ the very moment when he is at his
wits end to know which way to
turn In order TO recover himself the prosi-
dent himself comes 90 the rescue; the spirit OF
cdmdrdderie Is too strong within him. aud
when 1t comes TO signing the order for dismiss
ing his old companions in arms. who he knows,
hold exactly the same opinions that he does
himself. the honorable instinct Of the old sol
der arrests his pen. We're the cases re-
vrrsol and the Marshal one Of the Generals In
command he knows that his antrcedcnis
woul involve his own dismissal. How. then.
can he treat his former comrades in n manner
which he would resent were any one OF them to
do in his place what is demanded Of him2 He
feels that he could never hold up his head
again. This ist the whole secret of the Marshals
conduct. lie hates being cut by his friends.
Only the other day he met on the stairs If the
Jockey Club ono Of his oldest allies n General
of tie highest distinction. Tho General seeing
,he Marshal coming. in order to accentuate the
insult. stopped on the stairs. pulled out cigar.
Inc It. and pulled away. staring the President
full in the face rs he slowly assembled toward
him. Tho Marshal passed with a penitent and
downrast air Hs though dcprrcating his lust
amnesty. This GOODNESS on the part OF his
former friends and comrades has Mt last
become inioleraho TO the Gncien iautaire.
Had he signed the dismissas presented
% him hy VI. DuMure. his name would
have become Il byword Of CONTEMPT
throughout the higher grades Of his profcs-
sion. SO ne has chosen peace with honor"
lie viii retire TO his country retreat. and to tho
sport to which he II devoted. with sigh OF re-
lief. Many officers and a few other high public
congratulate him on his honorable conduct
10 will now bo able TO enter the Jockey Club
With front erect. and look back uuon his occu-
pancy OF the Elysfe rather as horrid night
marc than Us forfeited dignity. Not SO the
Duchess his wife. who was far more anti
republican. but chung with much greater
tonaci} to the sweets Of the highest oncc which
republic could bcsiow than did her husband
II ~ due 10 tho Republicans TO say that they
do not blame the Marshal for resignng rather
than Dust his old friends On the contrary so
thankful are they 10 get rid of him that he has
made himself more popular by the dignity and
magnanimty he has displayed in the method of
his retirement than by any other act of his Of
fetal career; and the Republican press. for the
first time in his lite is overwhelming him with
compliments and fine phrases.
Al the same time. as may be supposed NJ
want IVA ana MS party are not slow TO make
political capital out Of the portcntous occur
renee. They come forward as the calmcrs Of
the panic. Now we will display our moder-
alton they cNclaim. q" 1t is true. ten DAYS ago
we did not play our cards we'll and frightened
tho country 10y going little too fact. Tho mo-
mcnt has come 10 retrieve our error to restore
confidence and express our firm belief in and
affection for the Ministry we tried to turn out
last week" And. under the pressure OF public
opinion they have behaved with discretion and
tnct NJ Gambc,ta. who voted against Duiuure
and his Cabinet on Monday week. has been fore
most IN urslng tho old man TO remain where
he is.
Tho elevation Of NJ. Greyy to the highest
Office Of the stata ia one which. il ii docs not
give pleasure. must inspire confidence in men
OF all parties, no matter how reactionury they
may le. 1t Is impossible not TO respect a mun
who in the long course of an eventual public
life, which he BEGAN when us u hoy of II hc
took il b0rricudc ia the revolution Of 1880 has
been guilty Of no Inconsistency or political
conduct unworthy OF "a man of high character.
II Inc Is cold, storm, and imlH-sivc. he is up
light, well balanced. and judicial aud iucso
qualities arc too rare among the impulsiveuol-
TEXANS of France not to render their po-spssnr "A