Year: 1879

deal of fraud. Though in name it is .
government of the people, by the people and


for the people, tits in reality one of the most
contemplate of despotisms. The liberty of
the citizen guaranteed by the constitution is


liberty only in theory, denied to him in fact.


This has been repeatedly demonstrated in
the past by fines and imprisonment visited
upon editors for oriticising the acts of the
government or some head Of department.,
by the punishment of private citizens for
speaking with disrespect of some person
high in rank whose acts have merited uni
versal contempt, and by the denial of rights
that are inalienable to every citizen. A
fresh illustration of the character OF
the government comes to US in connec-
ton with the death and obsequies of the
prince imperial. Though the republic has
been in existence for about eight years, the
old regime has had many adherents. They
have elected representatives to the national
assembly who have been admitted to their
seats and have pleaded the cause of the en-
pire openly, as they had an undoubted right
to do. With the exception, perhaps, of Cas-
sagnac, they have not violated the proprie-
ties of debate, and aside from an earnest au-
vocacy of their cause have done nothing to
disturb the tranquility of the nation. In the
capacity of legislators they have not been
interferred with until the accession of M.
Grevy to the presidency. Ever since that
event, however, they have been subjected to
repeated indignities, and quite a number
have been deprived of their seats in the
9 lambers for no other cause than that they
disagree with the republican majority.


When the death of Prince Louis was an
nounced general sorrow pervaded the
nation, for the people, patrician and plebian,
have all along had deep seated regard for
the Napoleonic dynasty. Though the majori-
ty had abandoned hope of restoration they
yet felt sincere sorrow for the mist ,rtunes
of the femily, and took various means of
testifying it. The army con tanned many off,
GERS who owed their elevation to the late
emperor and who, Notwithstanding his faults,
clung to him to the last, and after his death
lived in the hope of seeing his son ascend
the throne. This was not manifestation of
disloyalty, for no army is more loyal to the
country it serves than the French army is to
France. 1t is indeed, marvellous organi


zation. No matter what dynasty rules,
the French army has been loyal to it,
for it has been governed by the truest of
all patriotic impulses-a desire to magnify
the whole nation. Its results hav.. been:
France first; her rulers afterward. It has
been the main dependence of the nation.
for without it the country would have been
rent asunder long ago. Loyalty to France,
however, did not interfere with love for the
Napoleons, and when the last scion of the
race lay dead, some of those who had fought
the battles of the nation-Canrobert Le-
Boeuf, LaGrav,ere, and others desired to
attend his obsequies. Their request was de-
MED by the minister of war, for what reason


best knows. These men have never
been untrue to their country. Canrobert
fought bravely through many wars, some
times under republic and sometimes un-
t a monarchy, but always with fidelity.
He rose from private soldier to the dig
niGy of a field marshal. LeBoeuf has been lit
tie less distinguished-a brilliant, ever faith
ful soldier, while La Graviere has given to
the navy of France all the honor it now
possesses. To deny to men of such distin-
guished service the poor privilege of paying
respect to the son of man they loved on


his bier is an act of petty tyranny that will


surely react upon its author. ..--


But more forciole, because a more dis
tinguished, example of the manner in which
the rights of citizens are set at naught in
France is furnished in the same connection.
Marshal MacMahon, who for five years was
president IF the republic, preferred re-
| quest to be allowed to attend the funeral OF
the young prince. One would think. that
his services to the nation would re-
ceive the recognition of at least i'm.
munity from insult. But it was
not so to be. He was informed in curt
manner that similar requests from others
had been denied, and that he ought to have


known better than to ask the privilege. W.


venture to say that the veriest despot in the


world could not have acted worse, and yet


France is presumed to be q republic! It is 8
republic, however, only in name, but in fact is
the worst despotism on the face of the earth
| The conduct of the government in this mat
ter will do more to arouse the people in


favor of the empire, if the cause is not al.
ready dead, than all else besides, and if the
characterized other members OF the family


he will attain the throne inside of five years.
Nor would his success be deplored, for al
most any government would be preferable te
a republic that so fagrantly bellies its name.
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