Year: 1877

The French Situation.


The news from France continues to show
the besitancy and indecision of the cabinet
in their present embarrassing position. They
are unable to advance and unwilling to retire.
The volcanic character of French politics
and the curious intermixture of contending
factions In the legislative bodies, make It a
hazardous matter to predict what the result
Of the present turmoil Will be; but IL now
seems as If the crisis would be passed in
safety and the republican form OF govern
ment IN substance retained. The monarch
lists in the cabinet and out, including Mac
Mahon himself, are In spite of their bold
front, dismayed by the result OF the last elec-
tions, and well they may be. Toe French
people, never very forward in voting against
The government, have in spite of the tre-
mendous pressure brough TO bear upon them,
given the republicans majority in the house
of deputies of more than hundred over the
combined forces of the opposition. IL must
be boren in mind.moreover that this opposi-
tion To the majority is not united by
any common bond except dislike of the
republic, and that the different factions are
continually coutending and intriguing for
ascendancy among themselves. The cabinet
is now divided and irresoluteas to the course
ii shall pursue. MacMahons past actions
lead one 10 doubt whether he is OF the stuff
of which dictators are made. Though stub
born in bis opinions and a thorough legiti-
mist, he has not hesftated TO accept Office or
promotion under every form OF government
that has predOminated in France during his
political career; and he has always at the
last pinch, yielded tOpOwer or the force of
public opinion. There are reports that the
crown has been offered TO the Comte de
Cham bOrd, and a coup fefdt proposed, but
Henri Y iS tn y!,af ;e
not In the power of those who offer it TO give
nor in his to retain. the Increasing power
OF the BOnapartists and the tone assumed by
them is beginning to alarm the Orleanists
and coalition is possible between the latter
party and the republicans. which would give
them the control OF the senate and would
completely battle the Bonapartist schemes
Gambetta's recent speech, which attacked
the BoDarartists, bat spoke in conciliatory
tones OF other parties, is said TO point in this
direction. Thus, amid the jsalOuSies aud in
trigues OF It's opponents, the republic may
"pluck from the nettle danger the flower
safety" u is suggested that MacMahoH,
in orserto let himself down easily with as
little OF the appearance o! a surrender to his
opponents as possible, will ASK for a dissolu-
uon OF The new house OF deputies, which, be-
ing refused by the senate. his cabinet will
tender their designations. Thus they will ap.
pear 10 bend to the will OF the senate, and
not To the republican house. GA the whole.
the chances seem TO be favorable for the re-
publicsns- They have a large majority in
the house OF deputies, can control the senate
by coalition with the Orleauists, meet oaly n
divided eremy, are well organized AMI
under an able leader. NJ. Grevy, the suc-
cessor to ThieIs, Ia the republican leader
ship, has been spoken OF so contemptuously
by the morarchist press in France that there
is perhaps a danger OF his being underratel
In The American mind. He is a man who
long before Thiers' death was suggested on
account of his integrity and ability as that
leaders immediate successor He was born
In 1913, and Is now consequently sixty-four
years of age. He studied law In Paris and
rose TO considerable distinction In his profes-
sion, not as a sensational but as a keen hi
sensible pleader. But the events IsIs
diverted him from legal pursuits arIu brought
him into political life. In the exercise OF the
difficult functions OF commissioner to the
Jura and as member OF the constituent as
sembly, he became widely known a a firm,
consistent and upright man. As President of
the Assembly he is described as 1.-The incarna-
tion of dignity and presidential authority
The important duties of this office were per-
formed by him with ability and impart iality.
He is quite conservative in his tendencies
and has at times been almost as strenuously
opposed 10 the fiery republicanism of Gam
BETA as TO monarchy. His political course
has been one of extreme consistency to prin-
ciple, and he has on several important occa-
siops voted in opposition 10 the liberal party.
He also opposed the return of the Orleans
Princes, and declined to participate in the
revolution of the 4th of September, being at
variance with his political friends in both
cases He Is man on whom dependence
can be placed for great prudence in forming
plans, and for bravery and steadiness in
their execution. The republicans have no
need TO be ashamed OF their leader.