The sun., 1896-10-18

How did II come to pass that France, which
had overthrown the monarchy, submitted to
the establishment OF tho Consulate, by which,
AS Bonaparte himaelf avowed ut the time, the
Revolution was brought to an end? The Gucs-
tion has given rise to interminable discuss ION.
butthe view taken Of 1t by Prof. Andrews is
that which has commended itself to the most
careful students of the epoch. He holds that It
was the army, and not the Directory. which
represented the real feeling OF France from
l7J5 to 1900. In spirit as well as In outward
semblsnce the army dominated the Republic:
1t had become the instrument OF its policy, It's
protector its only organized support; 1t was
In short, the nation. and in 1t were en-
bodied the patriotism, the enthusiasm. and the
genius OF France. The logic OF the situation wa.
thus pushing to the front political system based
on military discipline unity and obedience con-
troled by single mind. and organized for n
single purpose-the glory OF France. In the
master OF such n system would lie tho real
power in France. and such master was to be
found in Napoleon Bonaparto. Sharply con-
trasted with the unity exhibited by the army
wore the disunity and weakness OF the govern
ment of tho Directory. Although, for two
years. Il was powerful enough under the guild
anco OF able men, TO maintsn order in France
and preserve its own dignity, yet 1t was des-
llueu 10 Ihil lntO anu ulNlslOn ana, IN
consequence. to lose the confidence and respect
OF the French people. because or the party rival
ries and jealousies handed on to It, aieng with
the principles of the Revolution. and because OF
the terms OF tho Constitution of 1895
itself. which required one OF the five Directors
to retire every year. but which allowed tho
members o. the legislative councils to bs re-
placed even moro rapidly. namely. at the rate of
one-third per year. II followed necessarily that
the legislature would be more and more repre-
sentative OF the new spirit OF the natiUn, while
the executive. by comparison, would retain more
OF the spirit OF the old ConS tion. A conflict
thus became inevitable On one side was the
France Of the Convention. represented by the
Jacobns, who, by the Constitution, were legally
AZ the head Of the state: ON tho ot her the new
France, represented bV tho majority of tho ma
tien, of the Legislature and OF the city
of Paris, which, neither Jacobn nor Roy
alist. but democratic and patriotic, was
still loyal to the principles OF the Revolution
though firmly opposed TO the form that tho
Revolution was taxing. During the sharp COL
lision between the Directors and the legislative
councils on tho 18Th Fructidor Sept. 4, l797)
which resultr't in victory for the Jacoblns-
their last victory the weak ness OF the Cunstitu-
ton became evident. aud once more was France
remnded Of the hppelessnesS Of government
dominated ny iacobn iHrrowneSs and ex posed
TO party conflicts and the pernicIuu, influence OF
personal preiudiCcs The better elements OF
the nation whu saw in the victory Of the Jaco-
bins oily national disorder and bankruptcy,
could not bat compare the aimleSs, chaotic.
and seemingly selfish government at Paris with
the d sci plined and orderly Organization OF the
army IN Italy. which had fought with brilliant
success for the protection and the glory Of