New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-04

Il
One of the earliest incidents of The French
electoral canvass is the retirement of the Par
liamcntary leader of the Bonapartists from pub
lie life. Active politics have had no charm
for NJ. Rouher since the death of the Prince I'm
pcrial. Personal devotion to the Emperor and
his son did not imply enthusiasm for the waning
fortunes OF Imperialism, especially when the
cause was represented by n Prince whom the
Auyergnat lawyer had always disliked. Those
whom he served with zeal and fidelity and who
honored him with their cordial affection have
passed away, and there are no personal ties to
bind him to the present head of n fallen house
lie sees that his course is run and tells his con-
stitucnts that he cannot represent them any
longer. He makes his retirement an act of
homage toward those whom he loved and who
appreciated his fidelity.
1t was this feeling of sincere loyalty that
lifted him above the level of the couricrs and
Adventures of the Second Empire. If his po-
lltlcal associations had been formed before the
Revolution of 1SlS he might have Joined the
group of Liberal Orleanists, whose devotion to
the principles of constitutional government has
made them the safest and most useful of the
conservative bodies in French politics The
year after he entered public life he became Min
lister of Justice under President Louis Napo.
leon and from that moment until the downfall
of the Empire such wit and talents az he had
were at the service of the crowned intriruer
who had cheated the people out of their liber-
ties. He resigned his offices when the Orleans
estates were coniiScatcd, and again when the
Emperor committed himself to a policy of So
called liberal reforms but he was too useful to
be spared, and each time was recalled to n
higher post, until finally he came Ia. be popu-
larry known as the Nice-Emperor. AS Premier
President of the Senate and confidential adviser
of the Court, lie shared in the triumphs of its
foreign and domestic administration and when
the collapse of the Emperors fortunes came he
was not disheartcned. His real ability as a DO
litical manager had not been suspected when
he was the leader of a house In which the mi
nonty was insignificant and the majority
applauded him as matter of FORM When he
returned to Versailles as member of the
National Assembly, and became the leader of
the most unpopular faction in that body, his
adroitness, consummate tact and skill in COM
binations were generally recognized Under
his guidance the Bonapartists increased i'm in
fluence and political strength until at one time
they fairly matched the Legtimists and
Orleanists. Voting with the Royalist factions
at times, he discerned their mistakes and Joined
the Republicans whenever he could render his
own party more popular with the country. In
this way he served the fallen Emperor and the
young Prince. depressing far as he was able
the violence of blackguards like Paul de Cas-
sagnac, building up a strong party under the
most trying circumstances and doing what he
could to revive the fortunes of the fallen
family whose faithful servant he was in adj
versity no less than in prosperity.
Nj. Rouher has the good sense to perceive that
his work cannot be taken up under the present
head OF the Bonapartes. His career virtually
ended when the Prince Imperial, who had
profited by his shrewd counsel fell in the Zulu
underbrush. He recognized the fact by absent
ing himself from the sessions of the Chamber
and by allowing the headstrong partisans of
his faction to direct the policy of the most nm
popular of the princely pretenders Prince
Napoleon's appeal for II revision of the Consti-
tuition SO us to permit the President of the Re-
public to be elected by the direct vote of tbe
people fails to interest the best tactician of tbc
party. lie retires to private life, leaving NJ.
Paul de Cassagnac in the centre of n group of
political tramps and tatterdemalious. He has NOT
been patriot--so much is plain He served the
Bonapartes, father and SON. He loved tbcm
rather than his country. Yet he has been of
some use in his later days in bringing to naucbt
the plots of the Orleanists and Legitimists. and
his figure will be missed from stage where he
once played so conspicuous part.