Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-03-31
Paris Letter.
PARIS. France. March 10Th. 1880.

The gaiety of the Mi-Careme evidently
had not the effect of keeping people away
from the more serious entertainment OF
attending the Senate to-day, and the inter-
est which the famous Article has so long
evoked was manifest in the battle for
seats, which took place in all parts of the
building devoted to visitors. The fair sex
were in very great force. Unfortunately
the expectation that the opening discus
sion on the famous article would bring
some of the great authorities to the tribune
was not realized. rs. with the exception of
NJ Buffet, who did not begin to speak
until half-past 4, and NJ. j. Simon, who
only spoke few words. none of the rec
ognized leaders were heard. 1t is so long
since the Ferry bill first made its appear
ance in the chamber of deputies that it
may not be inopportune to give a transa-
ton Of the famous paragraph, which has
given rise to one of the longest discussions
ever heard in French parliament" Article
!. No person is allowed to direct or give
instruction in public or private educa-
tional establishment of any kind if he
belong to \ non-authorized religious con-
gregation." The clearness and conciseness
of the article could not be exceeded, and if
the different orators who have spoken on
it have dragged into the discussion nearly
every political and religious movement
since the world began. it must be ac-
knowledged that they were not warranted
in doing so by any superiority of matter in
their text. The debate commenced with
Il long speech by the eminent barrister,
NJ. Berenger, in which, although he es-
poused the cause of the Jesuits he once or
twice made admissions which brought
down ringing applause from the left. He,
however, made very happy hit in chal-
longing any members of the left, who in
their youth received instruction from the
Jesuits, to get up and say that what they
had taught them was injurious. NJ. Buffet
at once attracted the attention of his hear.
ers by his quiet but pointed and semi
satirical eloquence. lie commenced by
reminding NJ. Jules Ferry, who presented
the bill, how in 1870 he had protested
against monopoly in the matter of edu-
cation as being one of the worst relics off
the empire. M. Bullets long parliament
AIRY experience and tenacious memory
enabled him to administer several other
not very agreeable reminders of opinions
formerly expressed by some of the sup
porters of the project. NJ. Ferry gave
some interesting statistics, showing that
there are in France no fewer than $4,000
" ReIigieuSes," keeping over 10000
schools for girls. He referred to the Jesuits
under the second empire, saying that,
though they had been subjected to various
acts of oppression under the imperial
regime, they declared themselves the EN-.
pre's best friends. A tumultuous scene
occurred at this stage, NJ. de Gavardie, in
loud tones, defying the minister to read
letter, which he mentioned, from the head
of the order. NJ. Ferry restored silence
by promising to read it tomorrow, when
the House will hear the remainder of the
ministerial utterances.
The EJalite, II socialist organ, expresses
open sympathy with the nihists in an
article addressed to its "Freres de Russie."
The last paragraph is worth reproduction.
1t runs thus: We are with you in your
duel with a man, as we doubt not you will
be with us in our war with class when
the hour Of action arrives"
As an instance of the way in which Lent
is disregarded in official circles now,
may mention that it is beginning to be
the fashion to dance mt several of the
ministerial weekly receptions. NJ. Coch-
cry, minister dies postcs at biographies,
set the example. His salons were last
night crowded, and the reigaing beauties
danced with Us much hcartiness as though
the observances of lenten rules had formed
no part of their religious education.