Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-07-26

No less than 80 times in the last 20
years the third French republic has
changed its ministry. Yet in spite of
that it lives on and IS today certainly
on Il sourder basis than it was ever be-
fore. The ebulition Of political corrup-
ton which has deluged the country is a
sign of returning health and vigor, not
of mortal illness. If the foulness had re-
manned covered up and seething in the
heart of the government, there would
have been the real danger.
In coming years the philosophical his
torian of France, he who traces Out
causes to their effects, will regard the
Franco Prussian war As the regeneration
of his country. Louis Napoleon had fed
the French on shows and pomp, as the
Romans were fed in the declining days
Of the empire. Without knowing it the
whole French nation became enervatcd
and bound down to ideals of material
luxury. The Germans whipped the soul
into them again. Startled unSpeakably,
they looked about and asked the cause
of their defeat.
The cause was the deterioration of
French manhood and ideals. and they
recognized it. Then, cut to the heart,
but determined 10 manifest real superb
GRITTY again. the French pulled them
selves together to try once more They
revolutionizcd their system of educa-
ton. Where Ovcrwcl ming vanity had
been, there came 4 humility coupled
with a r,as1lH-.a 1i,4r id
conclusions with Germany again the
result would be different. There was
first, so to speak a magnificent and ro-
bust physical awakening. Improved
military drill, beginning in the very
schoolroom, physical culture in its most
approved form. became the vogue.
Frenchmen loved their country all the
more for what she had suffered, and
there was baptism Of patriotism COM
parable to that we read of in the chrou-
icles Of white plumed Henry of Navarro.
| Educational courses We're renewed, too,
| and made to include the industrial, ar
tistic and scientific needs of the day.
Last of all comes the news of the great
moral regeneration which is sweeping
across the beautiful republic. The
Panama canal trials were only one of
the results of the cleansing wave.
| Disturbances like the students riot
and its resultant arousing of the mob
spirit in Paris could easily have precipi-
tated revolution and overthrow of the
government half a century ago. That
they did not do so this time shows how
much the French have gained in self
discipline, also how deeply the republic
is rooted. The students who exhibited
q nude model at one of their balls and re-
sented police interference have doubtless
received lesson in the appearance of the
mob specter they invoked when they re-
sisted the officers. All the tramps, anarch-
lists. thieves, cutthroats and men with a
gTudge against society enlisted under
the students riot banner and made au
army before which the young men skunk
back in very shame.
There may be riots in Paris before the
summer is over and during the coming
parliamentary elections, but the govern
ment of France can place 10000 men il
the streets of Paris in five hours time
and will do SO in case of need. With
this knowledge before them, the moi
viii not go to desperate extremes. 1t is
with deepest interest and sympathy that
we on this side watch France gaining
self control and stability and marching
surely up again to the head among ma.
tons. Long live the republic of France