The evening times., 1899-02-18
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY IS. 1883.
President Loubet.

II was not TO be expected that 2 man OF
destiny would succeed 10 the French Pres
idencr In NJ LOubeJ the President Of
the Senate. former Premier and The leader
OF the Leftist Senators France viii have
an honest man. without unwaTranted "m-
Lition-a simple unaffected. sensible, and
sober man of moderate views and viTtuous
habits. He is not q man 10 shine. but
be is safe and conservative. II he does
not lead al least he viii not be led, save
BY sense of duty. He is truly republican
IN his views, and while ne VIII exercise
whatever influence he has against such
pegveTsions Of Justice as have passed un-
rebuked under the administration Of Il
Faure he cannot be expected 10 create 2Ry
overwhelming republican sentiment in the
country.
For more than decade, at least, France
has been apparently on the verge OF a
great revolution, chiefly because the repub-
lican institutions for which she clamored
and fought so long are not suited 10 the
disposition Of the majority of the people
On the esthstic side OF life they lead the
world. and George Sand was not far wrong
in characjerizing as brutal the German in
vasion and the defeat and humiliation Of
the race that had achieved The highest
measure OF culture But this growth seems
To have been al the expense Of the sturdy
virtues. In the search for what is pleas
ant in life they have neglected the nurture
OF what is strong. To build up and sustain
a truly republican government in Europe
calls for qualities that are more common
10 the Auglo-SaxOu and Teuton than 10 the
Latin. SO it has only been the lack, in all
these recent years, OF man Of sufficient
force Of character, popularity and the am
bition OF a dictator, that has prevented the
overthrow Of the government. A Napoleon
would have ended the last experiment OF a
republic long ago.
That lack is the cause Of the preserva-
lion Of The government at this critical
hour. Never were a people more ripe for
revolution, although there is nothing
more distinct as a ground Of dissatisfaction
than the resistance that has been offered
by minority 10 military usurpations and
abuses. As we have said. everything can
be traced to the mad ambition to avange
the humiliatng defeat by Prussia Pub
lie journals. essayists, novelists social
leaders, and politicians have kept alive
the hope of a successful war with Ger
many. Il was this that made France ridic-
ulous in her welcome of an inadequate
alliance with Russia, and it was probably
the fact that il was Russia that bought the
French military secrets that led to the in
justice and contempt OF legal forms in the
case of Captain Dreyfus
There is not in the French army of TO-
day man Of such personal popularity and
demonstrated greatness. or a man who
has the admiration of his fellow officers 10
such degree, that be can take advantage
Of the state Of public sentiment TO over
throw the government. The suddenness OF.
the Presidential vacancy is also favorable
10 the Republic. IF President Faure had
been i'll for months, with death apparent
ly probable no doubt somebody would
have organized a conspiracy 10 seize the
reins Of government at the opportune mo-
ment. As il is, there seems TO he no
reason 10 expect serious demonstration
against the established authority.
The election OF NJ. Loubet viii not cause
widespread enthusiasm, but ii will give
sense OF security 10 the conservative Gle
lnents. The choice of 4 lightweight states
man or an ambitious demagogue would
have created uneasiness and distrust. Tn
der President Loubet things viii remain as
they are. at least, if they do not improve.