Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-06-08

in a new country, it would prove
utterly inadequate TO rule aud direct
the complicated condition Of things
incident TO state OF society where the
lapse of centuries, the force OF customs, preju
dice and forms, and the intricscies OF foreign
policy presen; conditions which democracy
would be utterly powerless 10 meet. We
know that Germany especially regards
France sBprehensively, and fears that in
some exigence Of internal policy, or some
strait in foreign war, that country may take
the opportunity 10 strike for revenge and for
the recovery of the conquered provinces,
Alsace and Lorraine. Iii stherefore with pain,
not unmi1ed with apprehension for the per-
manency of her new institutions, that We see
France fritteriDg away her power and losing
sight Of her true principles Of freedom, be-
coming an invader of the weak and an OPP
pressor Of the feeble, and 10 doing this weak
ening her own power TO resist direct attack
aud insidious wiles OF her unsleeping, watch
ful enemy, the government of Germany. II
is natural that We should Wlsh to know now
France vindiczIes her policy and de-
tends the republican government an
der the present state of tbings. A
recent article in the Paris Figaro has given
opportunity for st least partial expression
of French republican sentiment. Figaro lie
a Journal OF reaction against the republic,
and spares no opportunity TO bring ACCUSE
tioDs against the republican government,
which it. accuses on every possible occasion
of pursuipg policy injurious TO the inter-
ests of the country. In recent article it
called upon the people to lay aside fttes and
frIvolities, as the country is encompassed
with grave periIs. Never was it go weak,
never more isolated. Never was it sur
rounded with more inveterate or more pow
erful enemies. The plans of Bismarck and
his triple alliance are such as may compel
the French government TO a change OF policy.
Figaro declares that the triple alliance Of
Germany, Austria and Italy intend to dis
member France, giving 10 Germany what is
left Of Lorraine, including the city OF Nancy
and also Franche Comple; Belgium to take
French Flanders; Epgland's neutrality 10 be
purchased by the gift Of French seaport
upon the Straits Of Dover; Switzerland to
take Chablais and another canton; and Spain
Roussillon and part of Gsscony. All
this the New York French journal, the Mes
sayer Franco AMERICAN, pronounces 10 be
nonsense" and says il excites more con-
tempt than anger. The charge that France
has received nothing but injury from the
republic, the Messenger meets by enumeratiDg
sou~" detai's r what the republic really has
done during the twelve years of its existence
for the country. II paid 1000, 600 francs
to relieve French soil from the presenes oil the
enemy; it eyganizsd the military forces and
required citizshs OF ali classes to perform
obligatory service in The army; it strength
ened the national defenses; it built s,rate-
gical railroads; it reconstructed the eastern
frontier. By the solicituds and energy OF
the republic France has now an sciive, for
midable, well equipped and well drilled army
with staunch reserves, SO that The absence of
some thousands of Zousves sent abroad 10
defend the colonies and to secure the execu-
ton Of treaties, in no way diminishes the
force that may some day be called upon TO
defend the soil OF the country. The
French army is doubtless not one
for aggression, but the tribune and
the press have alike made known
that France has no thought of conquest, that
it will content itself with defending the coun-
try, and when the time comes, taking back
wi halnnna In tha lin
development has spared nothing during the
last twelve years for improvement in oblga-
tory instruction by lay teachers, nor has woman
been forgotten, ahe has the advantage OF in
struction in the girls lyceums, where she is
educated upon modern principles ia accord
ance with an enlightened civilization The
republic has M ade the law respected, and as
brought back the clergy 10 the terms of the
concordai.z-The republic has had to contend
| against the outrageous opposition Of bishops,
| priests and monks whose duty it is to incul-
cate respect for the established government.
Pablo works have been extended and i'm
proved since the war, also The postal and
telegraphic service; canals and railroads
and The national highways have been i'm
proved; agricultural, manufacturing, aad
COMMERCIAL pros periiy have enabled the State
| to pay 5000, 000, 900 francs of war indemnify
and the 1,200,O00,00O francs advanced
by the bank, and all the expenses
connected with the reorganization Of
the military forces Of the country
| The labor performed by the republic is
colossal. And now the great work of restors-
ton is finished, opponsuls see tit to blocken
the republic that they may seize upon Office
and power, aud public writers, reptiles fed Gu
| Berlin gold, endeavJr by falsehood and cal
| umny 10 deprive France # support by pro
| mitigating The belitfthst sac is la a state ol
| feebIeness and near 10 her last end Theii
| effOr's vaip.- FraIcs desires neither g
| change of syst, M Gor h continental war; she
| wishes for peace within and without. Should
| the declarations of the country's intentions
and wishes fail to be understood there il
nothing 10 be afraid of In spite OF clerical
and monarchial alliances; in epite of uipls
or quadruple leagues; in spite Of anti.
French articles in Figaro or elsewhere
1
France are attacked che is strong enough
TO stand up resolutely and say to its in
vsd,rs, be they who they may, "Here you
cannot passp Ton ne passe pasD The pic
ture here transferred from the columns O
our French contemporary of what the Frerct
republic has accomplished, is not overdrswa
but there are parts of the Messengers dtfens,
that provoke challenge. Can its assertion o.
the non-sggressive attitude OF the French
army, the desire for peace within and with
out, and the assurance that Ia rspubhgu
FTancaise ne reue point de eOnqHetes be taker
au pied de Ia ttrsf
LITERARY LORE.
Tx the next number of the Century will ap
pear several letters Write m by Emerson sooI
| zff.r Ne lefl Tn on 4 IL IL