New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-18
PLON PLONS EXPLOIT.

Prince Napoleon has succeeded, perhaps for
the first time in his lie, IN pleasing the group OF
adventures who once wore the Imperial livery.
Under the Second Empire he was distrusted
because he was a free-thnker, although his
vile. Victor Emanuel's sister, was ali ardent
Catholic; he was despised because he had
shown signs of cowsrdice in the Crmea; and
he was detested because he professed to be
something more than n Liheral-indced, almost
4 Republican 49, in his political convictions.
After the downfall CT the Empire he had del.b-
erately sanctioned the new institutions and in
creased thereby his own unpOpularlty among
the Bonapartists. THE Republic exists" lie
had said patr otism imposes it it IL the only
form Of government possible in France; wish
for it loyalty without reservation" Obviously
he could not be a leader to inspire enthusiasm
for a lost and disrcputable cause. But his
right to the succession could not be denied
Before the birth of the young soldier of fortune
whose life came to tragic end In the tall grass
of Zuluand, a decree was passed that in the
event of the death of Napoleon Ill Prince Ma
pOlcon OF his heirs should have the IMPERIAL
inheritance. This decree was subsequently rat
flied by pl6biscite, and upon the death of the
Prince Imperial was accepted by the BOnapar
lists as an Imperial and National edict rcgu-
lating the succession. But the validity of his
pretensions did not affect his personal unpopu-
larity. Plon Plon was hated and despised by
his followers. They looked upon him as a
leader destitute of luck, audacity and talents
for political intrigue and possessing fatal
facility for blundcring. They amused them
selves with idle conjectures in regard to his
,I..t;,, fap
could how long lie would remain on the stage
and stand in the way of bold attempt on the
part OF his successor to retrieve the BUnapartist
fortunes.
Prince Napoleon, however, had more wit than
ho was given credit for. He avoided the con-
cluson that the best and only thing he could
do for the BOnapartst cause was TO die as eX-
peditously rs possible He began by clumsy
but not unsuccessful attempt to convince the
Clericalists that his candidature would not be
dangerous to the interests of religion. AT the
mass solemnized in Paris TOR tie Prince Impe-
rial, he threw himself upon his knees. buried
his face in his hands and appeared to be over
come with piOus emotion, 80 that the PRIESTS
might have repeated to the BOnapartsts the
cynical words addressed by Buckingham TO the
citizens who had gathered in the courtyard to
offer the crown to Gloucester:
"when holy and devout religious men
Are at their beads. Tia much to draw them thence"
Moreover, he took pains to snre Senator
that he had never attended the Ill-famed food
Friday banquet nor insulted the Church and
its ministers; and he confessed that NJ. Oll-
viers book on the Vatican Council had con-
WINGED HIM that no had been at sea Oh religious
questions. "Political speeches." he remarked,
with Napoleonic impotence, must be distIn-
gulshed IRON settled opinions" Having thus
made his peace with the Clericalists on the
principle that "Paris is worth mass he
waited for an opportunity for Haunting the
NapOleonic legend of pl6biscite before the eyes
of FIenchmen. The death of Gambctta has
served his purpose. The country, stupefed by
the sudden loss of it's greatest mau and
harassed by the mediOcrity of its legisla-
tors and the instability of its Cabinets,
is in a state of suspense and is easily