Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1881-09-03

government, instead of popular rep
resentative Cover nment,, would have
been the French counterpart oi1Amer-
loan presidential government-gov-
eminent by a party president not re-
to- the political people. In
France, the probable upshot of such
u turn of the constitution had been
experienced III the fate Of two previ-
GUS republican experiments:
NJ. Grevy rejected the MacMahon
theory of the constitution from the
outset, aud assumed the neutral role
OF a constitutional chief magistrate
who reigus but does not govern.
Though the executive power is form
allylysstsdains lin, he exerts 1t only
IbY mhistes s who Psssess the conh-
|alence and s6ppDrt u q legislative ma.
.1dtiiya rHo1gh be j the. political
head OF the state, he fs scarcely heard
of in the administration, the conduct
Of which is wholly devolved ON the
cabinet. The ,conseqn, nee has been
iaiat, lsiiice me septehate of nj. Grevy
began, In 1879, the administration of
the French republic has been inter-.
rup;ed by 40 MISUNDERSTANDING and
attended bYbOsdau96fOus crises, but
has proceeded smoothly aud tram
GULLY, to the great strengthening OF
the republic IN Che understanding, the
hope, and the conAdealceof The French
nation. The quiet, peacefuls andade-
cisive result OF n election of q new
chamber. 80 strikinglyin contrast to
the turmoil and passionate excite
ment of the election in 1877, is the
nations testimony to the wisdom OF
M. Grevy's'c course.
Will the theory of the constitution
pursued by the present French presi.
dent become permantly established {
This is perhaps the most important
question which the French nation has
to decide, as upon Its decision 'proba-
bly, depends the further question
whether the French republic is des-
tined to stand or to fall as it's prede-
cess0rs fell. Its decision will depend
in great measure upon the character
of the French president. With, such
q man as Grevy In the presidency for
a generation, the theory Of the. con
stitution recognized by him would
become fixed in the mental character
and habit Of the people beyond
any danger of any sudden rever-
sal. But should Grevy be sue
ceeded by fGambetta.s for instance,
there would be, almost inevitably. On
abrupt departure from the theory of
Grevy and return TO the theory Of
MacMahon. Not that Gambetta would
bring into the presidency any Of
MscMahon's political 4npti0ps for bel
would not. But, like MacMsh0n,ib be
is a man having the natnre. and char.
acter of q commander, whoe:wOuld
not be content to reign unless he also
could govern: sHesiskls born party
leader, with a good deal of the dem
agogue in him, but OF great sudacity
and extraordinary force and persis-
enc of character. He could not en-
ter % remain in the presidency With
out a policy. MOI without exerting
himself to make his own viewsT on.
questions the views Of the adj
in~inistration, even against the judg-
ment of q Legislative majority. In
therefore, he would DO, v hat
attempted to be, the texe- F.
cutive of party, and make the
president what the American
president. IL, the sctuAl2coldqctor Of
party government. Though, fortun-
;stely afor republican, .gOyernment in
Ersncest MacMahon failed in t6is role
uf q party president. Gambetta would
not fail, for no citizen of France is
fitted-to command q numerous
aud enthusiastic popular following
The coneeqnenceiIof plaeiagJsuch al
man in the French pfesidedcysSi In the
period of the republic,
would be disastrous to the now hope
growth of "a responsible popular
executive.
Wherever Gambetta may be placed, |
he is likely to be the leading political
spirit1of France. Therefore, there lie
but one place in the government where |
he could be of service in establishing |
what may be called the Grevyatheory |
of the constitution. That ia the
place of prime minister. The result
Of the elections renders IL extremely |
probable that M. Gambetta will, ere |
long, be called to that position. In
that event; nothing is moreA certain
han thatsthe theory, 0fsthe c0nstitu-
ton which regards the prime minis
ter as the actual and really RESPONSE |
BILE executives theory on which
there is great reason to think the per-
of the French republic
depends would. be probationary |
strengthened. IA si4 4