Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-07-27
French Politics.

Boulangism has been defined as 1.-THE
expression OF the dissatisfaction OF all
classes In France with the republic
and its leaders," but we must suspect
that the dissatisfaction Of the majority
OF the substantial and intelligent peo-
pie OF France is less with the republic
than with the leaders OF The several di-
visions OF the Republican party, viz:
the NJ oderate Republicans. Opportu-
nists or Gambettists, Radicals, Tx
tremist Radicals. Socialists. Commune
lists, Labor Party and Anarchists. We
class these diverse elements under one
general name, because they are all in
opposition 10 the Imperialists, the Blue
Legitimists and the Orleanists, and be-
cause they all prefer some form Of pop
nlar government to any form OF mo-
narchialism.
II was predicted when the present
French Republic was first established
that IL would be soon overthrow, be-
cause no republic had ever long main
tanned itself in France. On the other
hand. IL was also predicted that this
republic, although attacked from every
side, would still hold it's own because
IL would be impossible 10 unite its enc
mics. Imperialists and OrleaniBts do.
indeed stand upon common ground in
their opposition to the republic; but
the Imperialists would occupy just as
distinct an attitude of opposition IL
an 0rleanist were seated upon the
throne OF France, and the Orleapists
would be equally opposed TO the en-
thronement Of any member Of the Bon
aparte family.
The truth Is that the republic would
rest upon very secure foundations il
the republican party OF France were
not divided into irreconcilable factions.
But the distance between a moderate
republican and an extreme radical is
so great that they cannot be induced
TO act together. except it may be, in
opposition 10 the schemes Of the inn
periaiists and mOnarchialists. The
danger is that in the midst OF all con-
fusion there will arise "a demand for a
strong government, and that dicta-
torship may be accepted as a prudent
exchange for chaotic parliamentary
government In free country there
Is no escape from government by
parties; but il Is necessary that there
shall be one party strong enough TO
rule Unfortunately in France every
party loses IFS popularity as soon as II
comes into power. When Rochefort
resigned his seat Ia the French parlia-
ment. he said, II am master in my
| journal and can oppose everybody, but
| ] cannot control the chamber OF depu-
ties aud shall be outtalked by Gam
/ beta, while | shall outwrite him In my
paper. The opposition is the lot OF
every sensible man who wants TO re
tain his popularity. He must oppose
always. despite everything. even what
he thinks timely and just qUdrd meme,
! or he win fall.
II Bonlanger has any formidable
strength outside OF that temporary
support given 10 him by the Orlcanists
and Bonapartists for purposes OF their
1 own, e results from the uneasiness oil
thoughtful people at the continued un.
certainty OF the political situation un-
/ der the existing constitution. The
present state OF things inevitably de,
stroys confidence and lowers the value
| OF property. A recent report furnished
| by the French Department OF State as
serts that since the fall OF MacMnhon,
/ in 1879. the value Of real estate has de-
creased fully twenty per cent In France,
and that In the Department Of La
Meuse, one Of the richest in France,
the decrease has been SO per cent since
1884. New Orleans Picayune.