The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-06-02


PARIS, May 18th, 1892.
Sultry and hot-oS0 in the shade The
Champs Elysees is crowded with gay Pa
risians, drinking and laughing. The all
absorbing ambition of those who dwell
in this fair metropolis is in seeking
pleasure, fun, and they evidently sue
coed in capturing this tickle, fleeing
will-o'-wisp. We have searched in vain
for that ''reign of terror which the
daily papers would make us believe ex-
lists here. The Anarchists bomb. bad as
it may be, is not the only dark shadow
of evil which haunts the dreams and
leaves bloody trail on Paris life. Hun
dreds of souls are ruined and slain
yearly by strong drink and licentious-
ness. Especially the later monster moves
rampant through society, high and low,
engulfing in its horrible CHASTITY vortex
multitudes of girls who thus meet with
worse fate than mere death. Virtue is
Gods best gift to woman, and when this
is gone all is lost These facts are I'M
noticed, but two men are blown up by
dynamite, and the whole world is
shocked.
The average Frenchman seems to be
very well satisfied with the present form
of government, and one hardly hears a
murmur of discomfort, and the Napoleon
ic influence is surely disappearing. The
Republics of America and France pre-
sent spectacle to the world which will
ere long effectually transform that relic
of barbaric ages, monarchy, to the free
dom, liberty and equal privileges of de-
mOcracy.
The mutual sympathy and respect ex-
listing between France and her nearest
neighbor, England, are quite conspicuous.
The English channel politically is becom-
ing very marrow. When that big Euro
pean war comes and the signs of the
times point to such an event in the not
far distant future these two great nations
undoubtedly will be allied.
Regarding political questions, that of
course which agitates the popular mind
in Great Britain chiefly and elsewhere to
a large extent is the Home Rule scheme
as championed by Gladstone. The re-
cent speech of Salisbury at the meeting
of the Primrose League has caused a
great sensation. Lord Salisbury repre-
sents the government and is the recog-
nlzed leader of the Conservative party.
His views, therefore, express the real
position, of that party. He dis
tinctly stated that if Home Rule was
given Ireland, the power being then
in the hands of the Romanists, the Prot
estants, who although in the minority,
represent the intelligence and industry
of the country, would consider them
selves as having sufficient cause to rebel
and civil strife certainly would occur.
Whether by this statement Salisbury
spoke prophetically or whether he would
actually advise or encourage rebellion in
event of the establishment of Home Rule
is question. His utterance is interpret
ed both ways. Ireland today is more
prosperous and peaceful than ever before
and we are inclined to think that it
would be unwise to make the change
proposed. Gladstone has often changed
front on these great political issues and
many confidently think he will very soon
modify his position on Home Rule, OF at
least that when he promulgates definitely
a bill for the relief of Ireland, it will be
radically different from any schemes that
have been proposed.
We are panied to believe that France
is fast becoming a nation of infidels. The
churches are thinly attended and the
worshipers are almost entirely women.
There is however one bright, hopeful
spot, the McAall mission in which
many Portland people are interested.
The work of this organization is assum-
ing grand proportions and the results
are gratifying. A fete or convention of
the Sabbath school connected with the
mission was held this week and over
1000 were present
We met Rev. MI. Reynolds and party
of Gorham, Maine, on The Seine to-day.
They go to London next week and will
sail for home about June 18th.
Miss Winchester, formerly member
OF the High street choir, Portland, has
completed her two years course of study
III vocal culture and will return home
next month.
DR.. E. W. Chase of Omaha, Neb., a
native of Portland. is in Dublin and will
soon go to Vienna. He will spend sew
eral months in the hospitals. He is ac-
COmpanled by his sister Martha r Chase