The herald., 1895-01-18
WILL FRANCE REMAIN 4 RE-
PUBLIC?

to the stability OF q republican govern
ment in France arises from ths mer'
curiaI temperament OF the French PEG
Pile, and the frequent revolutions tina
have occurred in the last 100 years
most of which HAYS been of on extraor'
binary and unexpected character. Whei
the existing republic was established
thsre was not the strongest hope on thu
part of the friends Of popular institu'
tious that it would be permanent, but 81
the country has successfully CONS
through many changes OF mors or lesi
disturbing character, there has 5esE
growing more confidence in She stability
of the French psopls and their dispose
ton and ability to msinsain ponulaE
government.
French politics are peculiar and diff
cult to understand. The political par
ties are RspubiicsE, Socialist, Lsgiti-
mist and Bonapartist. Among Repub'
lcans are several nhadee and factiont,
and in the senate and assembly there
sre groups instead OF parties. We read
OF the right and left and right and LEFT
centers, and in slec.ing president or
constituting o csbinet enough OF tn g
groups have to be concilisted to consti-
tuts g majority. The coalitions are like
ropes of aand, the slightest dissstis fac
ton destroys them and the government
finds itself in q minority, and then the
ministry has to resgn. The man desig-
mated for the head OF new cabinet 10
compelled to consult the groups, and if
he has skill enough to combine su fiji =
Gent number 60 make o majority he
can go on with the government
till soma group or groups join The cppo'
sition and reduce the ministry to q mi
nority. The French people have at
tempted to carry out the British syste 10
of government without tho stability OF
the Anglo-Ssxons. They have sue.
ceeisd better than was expected. and
there ere grounds OF hope for the future,
rs every strain successfully resisted
makes the people better able to over
come difficulties.
Tns resignation of President Perier
caused a fear that there might again
srise state of confusion and anarchy,
which would MAKE it necessary to call
in the aid of the military, which might
be- a otep towards a military or a mon
archial government. The Lsgtimists
always have a recognized leade.
entitled to the kingship, and ready
to step in and take thu gov
ernment whenever there ia an open
ing that promises the slightest success.
The shout vive lie roll is beard whens
ever there is condition that in the
least warrants hope that the idea it
suggests Will receive q favorable re-
spoDse; it is always On hand to DO put
forward "a test OF popular sentiment.
The Bonapartiste seem TO have dwin-
died into utter insigni6cance. while tn Q
Bourbonisss have preserved much
greater strength. The latter, dou btlecs,
M AXE use OF Socialists aud anarchists to
create confusion and disorder tn ct may
have a chance to restore the monarchy.
The existing republic has had FIVE
presidents, Theirs, McMshon, CIR evy,
OArnot and Perier. Theirs was OF great
age when he took the presidency. and
he was selected because of his
great abilities, large experience and
high character. He said when
made president that he had lived under
twenty-one governments in France. He
organized the republic aud placed it on
on as good footing as possible under the
circumstances. but was compelled to re.
sign on account OF his physical infirmi-
ties. Mcmahon was chosen to succeed
him because he had achieved renown Ga
a soldier, and in the belief that it WAS
necessary to have a strong hand at the
helm. He had strong friendship for the
Bonapartists, and it was not unnatural,
for he had been marshal under the en-
pire. McMahon. il not a resctionist,
was not progressist, and lost the con-
6dencs Of Gambetta. For this reason,
and because the position was uncon-
genial to him, having been a e.long
soldier, he resigned, aud Grevy was
chosen as his successor.
Gtevy possessed excellent qualities
for president OF France. He was sew
enty-three years old. had considerable
ability and experience. and was one of
those well rounded. even tempered men
who rarely make enemies. France was
placid under his regime, and his ad-
ministration WAS successful and acce Of
able to the French people till his SON
in-law, Wilson. was convicted OF pecu-
lstion and corruption. This forced
GTeTy to resign, aud Csrnot succeeded
him.
The grandfather OF Carnot WAS the
great war minister under the fret Ma.
poleon, and his father was a senator
under the second empire. He there.
fore came to the presidency with the
prestige OF great family name. His
administration was extremely popular,
for he was a man of convictions, intez-
rity. tact and equipoise. He knsw bet.
ter than any of his predecessors how to
command tbs hearts OF tbs French peo-
Pile. He did not do it by display
or dsmagogy. but through methods
that gained their respect and sobered
them. The lovers of freedom through
ont the world trembled for France when
Csrnot was assassinated. but the coun-
try passed through the emergency with