, 1881-06-12

historical precedence contemp0raneous Win
the present Republic, and commands respect
aud adherence in that proportion. 1iie
Chamber of Deputies assented to the pro-
posed change; but, now tue Senate has IT,
iectel It, the scrutt1L dc ltStc will De the
issue III the approaching election, and Ga1ll-
bctta's opponents will have the advantage OF
taking the vote thereon by separate arroli-
diss cmcnts Or districts, and not by depart
mcnts OF States.
The fnirest estimate of Gambetta's motives
III urging the scr,4tlit dc liste is that which
accrctits to him the purpose Of undermining
the Clcricals and the Bonapartists, who are
anti-rcpublican at heart. The French AS
sembly is Il very numerous body. There Is
one Representative to about 5o'ooo lhllapll-
ants Each constituency, being OF con-
tractcd numbers, is peculiarly subject to
local influences. Wherever the Second En-
prc had made Il firm lodglncnt among the
people, or wherever tho Church retains and
exercises powerful influence, there Is pFclts
sire to be returned a Deputy who has no active
OF earnest sympathy with the Republic. Il
is equally true for the same reason that the
individual leaders Ut one faction or the oi'icr
exercise greater control oyer the voters ny
reason of personal wealth OF prestige talil'f
is always well fora Republic. III other words,
men have more influence than principles.
The result is, that what is known as the
.Right" in the French Parltamcnt-lnadeu up
uf koyalists, Bonapartists, Chltrchnlell, and
the other factions which! would willingly
abandon tile Kepublic--is more numerous
.F,.1 f>h
sutfragists were emancipated from their
present subjcction to local tiignltarlcs. Al
the same time the Republican party OF
/ France has been Divided upon GanAhctta's S
project. 1t is easy to understand why. Some
Of the l,cpublcans oppose the scheme OIL the
ground that it is Il hazardous Innovation.
Others believe that its success may lcau To il
dangerous Increase of Gg1nhctta>s powers us
!, leader. Still others may bo governed by
selfish motives, because they are able to coll
troll their own districts for themselves and
fear they might be dropped out OF general
ticket for the department i'll which their
district is located. There are numerous
Democratic members OF Congress i'll this
country who are convinced that there is no
hope for their party to obtain control OF tile
National Government, but they nevertheless
oppose dissolution or REORGANIZATION, because
they arc reasonably sure OF carrying their
own districts. Some of tile Republicans i'll
France may oppose Canbctta's scllcnc for a
similar reason.
Tho struggle over this issue before the peo-
pie will be- hotly contested. Ga1nbctta has
great power, but lie will be opposed by Il
combination of other Republican leaders,
such rs Grtyy, 'vaddinston, and Jules
Simon, as well lis the Conservatives or anti
Republicans, and 1t is doubtful whether he
can carry Ills point. But, whatever the re-
suit Of the contest may be, it will subject It.
publica1lisln in France to II new ordeal; and
If the young Republic shall come out OF it
without confusion or Impairment of its es~
scntial institutions it will BIZ strcnshthencd
in its hold upon the people and in the estl-
nation Of other European Governments.