The National Republican., 1885-11-17

NOW tnNt our own elections are over anu
the excitement dying out, we have time
for such careful consideration Of the affairs of
our great European sister, the French re-
public, as has not hitherto been practicable.
Telcgraphic advices have kept the reader
Informed Of the results of both the recent
elections for members of the new chamber
of deputies. II Is known that the rcpub-
licans, by sudden change in the current
Of public sentiment between the first and
second elections, succeeded in obtaining a
strong majority, but there is no Disgusting
the fact that the party has received serl-
Gus warning from the country. On the
first ballot the reactionaries about doubled
their number of deputies, and on the sec
ond trial they gained twenty.six more
seats. On Oct. ! the country elected 1870
republicans aud 176 reactionaries; on the
18th 1t chose 242 republicans and 20 re-
dictionaries. If to these 3T2 republic
cans we add the ten elected by the
colonics-where there were no reactionary
tickets-it will be seen that they will have
in the next chamber majority of $50 votes
The new chamber will contain 295 members,
old assembly, of this number 223 are re-
publicans and ~ reactionaries. A classin-
cation of the new chamber shows that there
are lss moderate republicans, 1865 radicals,
90 independents, and 2O2 anti-republicans.
There are already numerous demands for an
investigation against reactionary members,
and IL is not unlikely that some of these
elections will be annulled, but for all prac-
tical purposes we now know the respective
strength Of the parties in the next chamber
To show the warning given to the repub-
licans we may say that at the last general
election in 1881 the reactionaries polled
only 1,S00,OO0 votes, while this year they
have polled 3,5OO,OOO.
With majority of $50 votes the Republi-
cans would be able to have their own way
If they were united, but the great question
at this moment is, Can they sink their petty
ambitions and agree upon common policy9
While the moderates are numerically little
stronger than the radicals, they can form no
ministry without their consent, for 1t is the
radicals who have gained the victory and
who will practically be the masters of the
new chamber. The progress of the country
toward radicalism is shown by the fact that
while the chamber of 1877 was pure left,
that of 1881 was union republican, and
now 1t will be extreme left. From 20 or so
the radicals have jumped TO 100. This in
crease hns naturally led them to claim that
the country demands more vigorous policy,
and different one from that pursued by
the opportunists in the last chamber, and
they are already indicating the principal
points in the new legislative problem.
While extreme partsans like Rochefort,
Michelin, and Camelinat consider that the
first questions TO be decided are the sepa-
ration of church and state, the election of
magistrates, suppression of the senate, and
a reduction of taxes the more serious men,
bers seem willing to agree upon policy
that shall have for base the abandonment
Of colonial expeditions and the reform of
the home administration. In fact, an ex-
animation of the manifestoes issued by the
candidates elected shows that 200 republ-
cans were chosen as opposed to an immedi-
ate abrogation Of the concordat, and as for
the suppression Of the senate 300 candidates
declared themselves hostile to this change.
The election of magistrates was not lead
ing issue in the campaign, and there were
very few republicans who promised this re-
form. Another demand made by very few of
the extreme radicals is the trial of NJ. Jules
Ferry, for his action as minister in the Ton
qnin affair, but this wild idea will certainly
not meet with sufficient encouragement to
become reality. Upon two points it will
be possible for the various sections OF the
party to agree, viz, the abandonment of
further colonial enterprises and the realiza-
tion Of policy of economy. 1t is upon
this basis that an attempt is now making to
bring about an understanding.
The session of the chambers will be ex-
citing, If not stormy, but friends of the
republic on this side Of the ocean have
learned that storms and crises are not signs
Of imminent danger
The results Of the warning OF Oct. 4
have been salutary and the good effects
will be lasting. The republic will give up
It's dangerous foreign policy and the gov
ernment will address itself to domestic
concerns. We believe the French republic
has come to stay.
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