Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-28
DIsCREDITABLE TO BOTH.

The recent exposures made in France oi
the relations of the Comte de Paris ans
General Boulanger, render it pertinent to
remark that the confessed attitude oi
the leader of the French Monarchy cannot
but affect the estimate which thinking
Americans will place upon the royal visitor
to this country. Of course, no discreditsble
thing done by one who has title to royalty
will make any difference to the tuft
hunters, who are ready to worship anything
in the form of royalty. But the American
people who have had high opinion of the
Comte de Paris as an estimable though rather
perfunctory officer of the Union Army and
as careful and fair historian of our war,
cannot but feel their respect for him
diminished by what he himself admits of
his relations with Boulanger.
OF course the discovery that the Boulan-
ger movement was produced solely by the
funds of the Royaiists, and when Boulanger
reached power, was to turn over the Govern
ment to the Comte de Paris, puts that
military adventurer below the notice Of
decent men. But what is of more Importance
to this country, is the position in which the
descendant OF Henry ". is left by his own
statement He says that he FUSED such
instruments as he was able tS reach" The
argument that his resurrection of the throne
is not so important tkat ne is obliged to use
whatever instruments he can get hold of,
would, of course, be Greek to the Royalist
party pEt it seems as if there ought to be
considerations of honesty In .the use of in
struments, which would appeal to the party
advocating the restoration OF throne, to be
the fountain of honor and representative of
chivalry.
1t is not to be supposed that an aspirant
to throne, anv more than a candidate for
political honors, is responsible either for
the character or the motives of all his sup.
porters. But when a discreditable instru-
meut is used, there is clear responsibility
FOR the way in which the instrument is gained.
1t is, unfortunately, beyond dispute that the
ability to use Boulanger was secured for
the Comte de Paris by direct purchase. 1t
cannot be held to exonerate the Prince
from the charge of purchasing political
instrument, that the money was paid by the
Duchesse dues, with his knowledge and
approval.
Beyond that what this instrument was
hired to do reflects an equal discredit upon
the purchaser and purchased. 1t was not
to work up popular opinion in favor of the
Bourbon restoration. 1t was not even the
mere questionable method of working up a
democratic agitation which would drive
conservative Frenchmen into the Bourban
party. But it was the most dishonest course
of all, that was outlined, for Boulanger to
gain control of the French Government, on
professions of the most ultra democracy, and
then to turn over the Government to the re-
vival of the Bourban Monarchy. 1t was
simply proposition that France should be
betrayed by purchased treason; and that
France should be subjected to the throne by
a combination of force and fraud. 1t is ex-
actly the same principle. or violation of it,
that would be involved, if Presidential
electors elected to vote for one candidate,
should be bought to vote for the opposition.
America can welcome the Comte de Paris
on the score of his old friendship for the
United States. But it should be clearly
understood that there is no Endorsement in
this country of his part in political bar
gain which, for scandalous corruption,
has few equals in the politics of his country.