New-York tribune., 1889-12-31
THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.
THE BEsT'YEAR IN IT'S HISTORY

Red letters will he used to record the year 1888
| in the annals Of France AT no time since the
esta bshment OF the Republic, twenty years ago.
has the material prosperity OF the country been
so great, while the Government, by dint Of per-
severance, energy and moderation, has succeeded
in weathering those storms which appeared
twelve months ago TO be on the eve Of wrechne
the ship of state At that time IL looked as il the
Third Republic was drifting toward the rocks Of
military dictatorship and Of usurpation OF power,
on which the Second Republic went to piece,
in 1851 There was the same widespread dis
content with the existing institutions. There
was an anomalous agitation in favor of Constitu.
tional revision there were the warrlDg factions
Of Monarchists, .Bonapartists, CiericajS and Ex-
tren,ists who were all eager for a revolution;
and finally there was in General Boulanger. a
nolitcal intriguer resembling Louis Napoleon, and
summarized by great constituency recruited from
tho discontented classes. Although openly ridi-
cnling his pretensions to the Presidency and hD
ntYectatons OF patriotism, the Conservative foe
tons put themselves behind "le Bray General
in the desperate hope Of proliting by the tem-
porary establishment Of q military despotism lie
had securedqenormous majoritieS IN the Nord, the
Somrne and the Charente nfericuTc. and early in
January last he further consolidated his position
bv an overwhelming electoral victory IN the De-
partment Of the Seine, and the outlook was an
exceedingly gloomy one for the Government. AS
the platform on which General Boulanger went to
the polls consisted solely of demand Tor a re-
vision OF the Constitution, the Prime Minister,
NJ Floauet determined to forestall him by sub
nittinr TO the Chamber of Deputies scheme u
his own for Constitutional revision This was
placed before the house on February 49, and
urgency was demanded for its consideration By
y singular mistake. which has never yet been
satisfactorily explained, the Comtc de Douyille
Maillefeu, one of the Prime Minister'S per.
sonal friends and supporters, demanded that
the discussion Of the bill be adjourned for week.
Seeing this and believing that the Count was
acting in accordance with some ulterlor wish OF
NJ. Floquet, large number Of the Ministerial
supporters voted with the Count in favor OF the
adjournment, thus placing the Cabinet In
minority. Although every one was aware thas
the defeat of the Ministry had taken place In
consequence of a misapprehension on the part Oh
some of its supporters, NJ. Floquet and hiS col
leagues insisted on resigning President Carnot
thereupon entrusted NJ. Tirard with the forma-
ton of a Cabinet, which is now in Office Among
its members are NJ. de Freycihet the Minister OF
War: NJ. Spuller, the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
and NJ. Constans, the Minister of the Interior
The latter is man of great energy and action,
and Immediately on entering upon the duties
of his Office instituted proceedings IN the senate,
transformed for the nonce into a Ilsh NourO
of Justice, against General Doulanger on ,i tie
charge of conspiracy TO overthrow uLc n.pIi,,o pi =.
nv means of a coup detat. The General TOOK u
flight and crossed the frontier Dy niene lnGo
Beigian territory, thereby exposing ninlSn i.
to popular ridicule, thing which Is iatai ,ona IN
French political life. Failing TO appear before
the High Court of Justice IN answer
10 it's summons, General B"uianger was
declared an outlaw, and ueprNeu p9th
of his orders and of hls rank IN lhe army Inc
energetic action of the Government and The mar
yelous success of the magnificent eXhipltlon nave
completely crushed Boulangism Ihat fretehders
monarchical friends have severed thetr M connecuon
and to-day he is living discredlted, irlendless
and in poverty on the Island OF jersey general
election of members Of the Chamber OF Deputies
occurred in the early autumn. ana resulted IN
sweeping victory for the Government and Tor the
Republic against all the opposing factions.
An ATTEMPT was made by the Monarchleai
Powers Of Europe to boycott the nlVersal IN
hibitiOn at Paris account OF lts being lntehuea
TO commemorate the centennial anniversary Oh
the great Revolution Of 1889 The boycott. how,
ever, failed, and several crowned heads ana
numerous members of royal and imperial houses
visited the show in the Champs de Mars. Inc
latter was the most wonderful and gigantic MI
versal Exhibition which has ever yet taken place
in any country, Nearly every nation OF tne sloos
was represented not only by manufactures and
produce but also by its prominent citizens. VINO
focked to Paris in such numbers that difficulty
was experienced in finding means either TO trans
port or TO house them. The close of the year
1889 leaves France with her Golfers full of treas
ure at peace with the world, respected and feared
by her fellow-POwers in the European concert.
and with her Government solidltied and hrmly
based on the goodwill and affection of her people.
Never has a French Government enjoyed more
consideration at home and abroad than that OF
President Carnot and his Tirard Cabinet.