Year: 1870

II we reckon the population Of France at forty
millions this would make nearly one out Of
| seven land owner. Outside the large cities
there are but few families that do not pos
sess portion Of the soil, however small
that may be in some cases. Hcnce we can
very well understand the ardent patriotism of
the people and the desperate fight they may
make for their country and homes. Thon this
extensive subdivision Of tho soil has both o
conservative tendency under q reasonably
good government, and revolutionary ton
dency against grinding oppression or class
and mona-chical usurpation.


1t Is doubtful If the first Napoleon could
have perpetuated his monarchioal power or
the Bonaparte dynasty through his son,
beyond certain period, had he not fallen
through his own vaultiug ambition and the
coalition of Europe against him, and his son
had lived TO succeed him. With all his states-
manlike ability and popularity he could not
destroy the seed Of the revolution and the
republican sentiment Of the French people.
This remained always partially smothered
fire, only ready to ignite and blaze forth when
ever stimulated by misgovernment and the
restless nature Of the people. The restoration
Of the old Bourbon line after Waterloo was
effected by foreign bayonets. Combined
Europe had crushed France, with her Emperor,
SO effectually that the people were compelled
to take whatever government was offered.
Another cycle Of less than twenty years and
this monarchy fell again under the car Of
revolution. The French might have tried a
republic again at that time, but through the
influence Of Lafayette and other leading men
sort ofcompromise monarchy was established
sscitizen king" was elevated to the throne
not King of France this time, but 'sKing
Of the French" The monarchical principle
was tried again under this new phase, but the
inevitable revolution kept on, working silently
and marching with the reaction Of Louis
Philippe's government till 1S4S. Eighteen
years were the Cycle Of this experiment, near
about the Same time Of the previous monarchi-
cal experiments under Napoleon and the old
Bourbon restoration. In 1848 France had
acquired good deal of experience, and pro-
claimed the republic with some hope Of estab-
fishing it. The republican sentiment had
grown nightly both in France and throu -hout
Europe, as was seen in the general and extra
ordinary revolution at the time. Again, how
ever, the excesses and impracticability Of the
republican leaders were seen. The Napoleon
lists and monarchists fought the revolution
down. The republic was squelched by the
coup Gft0t Of Louis Napoleon, and this
Bonaparte made himself emperor OF the
French" BY great tact in fattering the van
ity Of the people, through successful foreign
wars, through making internal improvements,
and through talking all along of liberty while
he exercised almost absolute power, he was
able to delude the French and to keep the
revolution in check. But it required all his
tact and the greatest effort to do this. The
very war which overwhelmed him was made
with view mainly to keep down republican
aspirations and to maintain his popularity.


This brief review Of the struggle between
republican sentiments and monarchy in France
shows that the French are democratic at heart,
and that their agrarian system, by which the
lands are divided among the mass Of the popu-





ment than a republic impossible permanently.
How long the struggle may last no one can
tell. Great efforts will be made by the Prus-
sian monarchy, the German princes and aris-
tocracy and the monarchs Of Europe to
destroy the present republic, and under such
pressure it may fall. The French
may have to submit to another
monarchical government forced upon them, as
they did to the old Bourbon restoration in
1916, but the revolution will not die out. The
republic is inevitable ultimately; for that is in
accordance both with the spirit and progress
of the age and the social condition of France.
However much the Prussians may protest
to the contrary, the war they are now relent-
lessly carrying on is against the republic 1t
is war against the ideas of the times. 1t is
as atrocious and cruel as it is destructive
Dreadful as France suffers, such nation of
forty millions of people cannot be extinguished,
1t will recover. With the lessons the French
are now getting we may hope to see them
wiser and better. Their vanity and restless
proclivity for war may be cured; they may
learn to decentralize their system of govern
ment and to establish liberty on firm basis
France has been the laboratory, 50 to speak,
of progressive ideas in Europe, though she
has not pro6ted by them herself as she ought,
and now it is to be hoped she will try no
more monarchical experiments, but end In
establishing the republic.


The Last Bnrroom Murder.


The killing in barroom in Mott street,
on Sunday night, of member Of
gang of very notorious characters, by
q brother rufdan, has been the means of
illustrating In a yery remarkable manner tho