Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-10-02

The influence of society and social
attractions on the politics of nations has
often been remarked. Many great events
even wars and revolutions been
traced to the plots, intrigues and inAu-
ences of social drawing rooms. A queen
of society, who entertains Hospitality,
whose house is an envied resort of the
eminent, and whose personal allurements
are exercised on the course of public
events, is often power in the state RI
valing that of Chancellors and Minis
tiers.
Such results are not. confined to any
one country. In England the power of
society politicians of the gentler sex has
often been shown. Lady Jersey in the
time of the Regency, the Duchess of
Sutherland in the early part of Victo-
ria's reign, and the late Countess Wal
degrave of more recent days were in
stances of social leaders who had much
to do with the shaping Of public policy.
This social power on the part of Grill
liant and accomplished women of society
has been more marked, perhaps, in
France than in any other European
country. For it is in France that social
customs have always exhibited the most
minute and attractive refinement.
The society of Paris, gay, witty,
gorgeous in attire, lavish in extrav-
agance, sparkling with all the Gallo
vivacity and spirit, has always been
closely allied to the politics of the day,
as we'll as setting social examples to the
rest of the world. So it has been that
its feminine leaders have given tinge and
tone to the tendency of public affairs;
have strengthened or undermined Cab
inets, and have lent security or danger
to royal thrones. The throne itself, in
the days of monarchy or empire, has
been to large degree propped up and
supported by its brilliant social setting;
while the opinions, and even at times
the whims and caprices, of women of
high rank or wide influence have
dictated alliances, wars and treaties of
peace.
We know the part played by Madame
de Maintenon in the politics of Louis
XIV; by Pompadour and Dubarri I'M
der Louis XIV; by Madame Roland and
Charlotte Corday in the Revolution; by
Madame de Stael and the Empress
Josephine, in the time of the First
Napoleon; and that played later by a
host of fascinating social leaders, from
Madame Recamier and the Princess
Lieven to the Empress Eugene and the
Princess Metternich.
It is serious thing to the present
French republic that it is greatly def
Gent in supporters among the queens of
Partisan society and so important in
France is such support to every govern
ment, of whatever kind, that this lack is
grave source of weakness to the regime
over which President Grevy presides.
The republic is too simple and too
severe, indeed, to nourish brilliant,
snowy society, fond of pageants and
ceremonies. The social leaders of other
days were women of title, ancient
descent, and great wealth. The women
of to-day who possess these attributes
are, for the most part, ardent Mon arch
lists and Imperialists, and very bitter in
their political prejudices. They abhor
the republic and will have nothing to
do with it.
The old, gorgeousdays of the Tuileries
balls, of coronations and splendid royal
fetes, of gatherings of sovere1gns and
princes, seem to have departed; and in
their place has come dull monotony.
an air SO heavy that the social butterflies
cannot mount in it on their bright-colored
wings.
The period, too, of those renowned
"salons," in which the famous in litera-
ture, art. politics, war, science, the
church, beauty and wit were wont to
gather. to chat and eat and drink and
laugh, to discuss and often direct the
current of political affairs, seems fast
waning; and so it is that, under the
serious, practical republic. the influence
of women on French politics appears to
be fast dying out.
1t seems remarkable that Republican
women Of great force of character and
intellect do not arise to give the Govern
ment their social influence. In the early
days of our republic the Government
was greatly strengthened by the intelli-
gent support of the wives of our Presi-
dents and leading statesmen.
At Folkcstonc, England, lately, q
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