St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-01-29
ROULaNGER.

BOULANGER'S magnificent victory in
the department of the Seine was fitting
climax to the series of brilliant political
contests in which he has figured, ana
may be Justly regarded as the final coup
d'etat by which the young soldier
statesman elevates himself to the su-
premacy in the French republic. With
out Paris at his back his former vic
tories were comparatively valueless.
With Paris supporting him, everything
was in his grasp. That was evidently
the view BoULANGER took of the situa-
ton when he went into the canvass in
the Seine election. Those who have
looked upon him simply as an advent
urer, without brains or force of charae-
ter, have been undeceived by the splen-
did campaign he has just closed with
such wonderfully brilliant results. lie
exhibited a genius for organization that
even his friends had never given him
the credit for possessing. and in every
detail of the campaign manifested the
skill of a trained politician. BoULAN-
GER is good deal bigger man IN The
eyes of the world to-day than ever be-
fore, not SO much by reason OF his vic
tory as by the ability he displayed in
winning it.
The effect Of BoULANGER'S victory III
European affairs will be marked. Ger
many, England and Russia are all
deeply solicitous, and we are not alto
gether Indifferent to it on this side OF
the water. No Frenchman since the
time of the first NAPOLEON has occu-
pied more conspicuous place than
BoULANGER. In fact, the manner OF
his accession to power is in striking re-
semblance to the rise of the ''little cor
poral," and there are plenty of people
both in and out of France who accredit
him with the same ambitions that dis
tinguished BoNAPARTE. Whatever his
personal ambition may be, it is mani
fest that BoULANGER's purpose is to
restore the martial glory of France, and
to bring his country up once more to
the first rank among the European pow
ers. Both England and Germany have
reason to dread BoULANGER's sue
cesses, while Russia can look more
complacently Oh these stirring political
events.
Owing to the peculiar complications
growing out of the fisheries treaty and
the Samoan affair, and our consequent
strained relations with both England
and Germany, it is but natural that we
should experience feeling of gratifi-
cation over BoULANGER'S victory.
France has so often proved to be friend
in need to this country, we are ready to
recognize the hand of Providence in the
turn affairs have recently taken in that
country. With the possibility of again
needing her for an ally in defense of our
national rights, we rejoice at everything
that has tendency to put France on
good war footing. 1t is true that the
complications which may arise from the
Panama canal business might cause us
to wish otherwise: but that is so remote.
while the others are so immediate, we
are going to feel good any way over
BoULANGER's victory.
BoULANGER has other victories to
win yet before his success is complete.
The opposition to him is strong and
under the management of able leaders;
consequently, every device will be re-
sorted to to check his progress. Still, it
is next to impossible to overthrow man
who is so much of popular idol, and
who has the sense to make good use of
his popularity.