The New York herald., 1879-02-01
AMONG FRENCH RESIDENTS.

| HOW MACMAHON's RESIGNATION is LIKELY TO
| AFFECT POLITICAL PARTIES IN FRANCE
DANGER OF DIsoRGANIz1NG THE ARMY.
| The news of the downfall Of MacMahon and Of the
election of Grevy was most eagerly discussed among
our French residents yesterday and hardly anything
else talked about in French cafes restaurants
clubs. 1t was the source of much pleasurable
graduation among the nine tenths of Frenchmen in
this city who enthusiastic republicans. The
remaining small minority composed of clerical con-
servatives on the hand, and 'reds the other,
were not so delighted. for the first named class
looked upon the government of MacMahon as
stanch friend of the Church. which. they fear will
be now rudely assailed, while the latter. though
pleased at the change would have still rather seen
member of the Extreme Left in the Presidents chair
than the moderate Jules Grevy.
FORTUNATE CHANGE.
The following very interesting interview with Mr..
Frederic r. Condcrt was had yesterday by a HERALD
reporter
'wil the change in your opinion. be beneficial or
not. Mr.. Coudcrt? 4" the first question asked
II do not know Mr.. Coudert replied; 'that is the
wisest answer that give. do not believe that
any human being upon whom the mantle of
prophecy has not fallen could give n differen. one.
will say however that in respects think the
occurrence q fortunate one. The dreaded ghost of
1881 has been looming up and growing larger and
more formidable as it approached What will follow
AIacMahons retirement question that was
more easily put than answered. That problem has
been suddenly resolved in unlocked for fashion.
SO far then. any change in the Executive is con-
cerned and is likely to influence public events there
are seven years of probable possible
peace. Then. too. it is satisfactory to that
the change has been effected in regular and const
tutonal manner The fabric of republican govern
ment to that extent has been tested and found safe
1t is fortunate, too, in some respects that such q
man NJ. Grevy has been selected. He is moderate,
reasonably popular. enjoys good reputation and
his talents not OF that very high and brilliant
order might be likely to miscad him into mis-
chievous attempts. think. too without speaking
here especially with reference to France. that the
worst rulers republican country likely to be
military men. The very qualities that make good
soldiers of them are calculated to interfere with their
efficiency as constitutional of the Republic
/ beg to say here that am not talking of General
Grant possible candidate for the succession here
or elsewhere
"what effect will it have on republicanism in
France and in Europe generality
.In France think the effect is likely to be good if
the movement stops here. But revolutions do not
s'Sp % tear or te ne
overwhelming successes of the republicans Mt the
late election Senators, venture to fear
fortunate the republican party. Republican in
stitutons cannot live without party differences party
conflicts and strong opposition to the parties that
be- If the republicans had held their own and n
little more to show that the popular feeling
greatly growing in their favor, they would. of
sity, have been compelled to act moderately and
wisely They could not have afforded to disregard
opposition and those elements of concistion which
are absolutely necessary to republican could
not have been overlooked. Assuming French human
nature to be very much the same human nature
all the world 1t is tn be feared that tho tide of
radical rcpublicanism will become very strong. and
possibly too strong to be checked"
EDUCATION NEEDED.
what will the government probably do with
reference to- Church, clergy and cducationY'
"As to education, think that all men agree that
compulsory education Ia absolutely required. Ed
ucaton Is the great want of the day do not mean
to say that there IL less in France than in other
tncnta countries: indeed, 1t is my opinion that
there arc more thoroughly instructed In France
in proportion to the population than in any other
country this globe. ljut the must be cul-
vatcd IL the Republic IN to endure In old fashioned
times the King the army and the bourredu execu.
in the matter of school cducation; but kings are
out of fashion, the army is popularizcd and
the functions OF the bou,redu rapidly becom-
ing obsolete The Church also stepped in with her
mild precepts to restrain popular violence. IL IL not
upinr too To say that n France in many other
countries, the restraints of practical religion have
become and becoming weaker. Whether the re-
publican form of government will be able to concili-
ate the religions, wants and aspirations of great part
of the people, with the necessities supposed neccs-
sities OF the age take to be of the greatest IL not
the chief. problem to be solved
FiAScEs POSITION DEFoRE EUROPE
"Iow will it affect Frances position before Europe
great Powcry
France position before Europe n great Power
will depend more. think upon the character Of her
u.,A hNr