Year: 1872

tisan court and backed by federal bayonets. Il
unmoved and unconcerned while these events
are transporting in the fairest city of the South
it would be bad sign for the permanency Of
republican institutions.


Over, Apparently.


The action of the Committee of Thirty Of
the French National Assembly appears to
have been anticipated or frustrated by Pres
the serious consequences that might have
resulted from hostile report of that commit
tee the President changed his Cabinet, as our
special telegram, published in another part OF
the paper, shows, to conciliate the opposing
factions. BY this he brings to his support the
Right and Left centres of the National
Assembly. M. Goulard is to be Minis
ter Of the Interior, NJ Fourton is
to be Minister of Public Works, Nj.
Leon Say to be Minister of Finance, and
M. Calmont Project of the Department of the
Seine How far this will satisfy the majority
of the Assembly remains to be seen. 1t is
| probable, however, that M. Thiers has can
vassod the opinions of the different factions
and made an estimate of the strength this
change of Cabinet will bring to his govern
ment. The arbitrary action reported of the
government having seized in the wine shops
of Paris petitions for the dissolution of the
Assembly indicates submission of the Ex-
ccutivo to the will of the majority Of the
Assembly. Looking at all the circumstances
we are inclined to believe NJ Theirs has
yielded to the pressure of the majority SO far,
in order to avert q catastrophe and ogive him
self time to bridge over the existing diff
Guilty. 1t remains to be seen whether he
can by his present tactics secure majority or
neutralize the influence of the old majority
against him. strong party like that of the
monarchists in the National Assembly,
party, though divided in their preferences as
to the royal line they wish to elevate, is united
against republcanism- not likely to submit
long to such an expedient The dread Of the
future or uncertainty of the future may make
these royalists submissive for time, but they
will never be content till they have destroyed
the Republic, if they have the power to do so.
Here is the real difficulty. President Theirs
may postpone the issue by such on expedient
as changing his Cabinet, but it will come
sooner or later.


The only hope of France seems to be in an
appeal to the people-to a new and fair elec-
ton for constituent Assembly. This is but
right. The people, through the ballot box
should say what form of government they
wish, and their voice should be obeyed,
whether they prefer monarchy or republic.
The present National Assembly was intended
to be only provisional But it has power over
itself, and there is no higher legitimate power.
Political bodies are not apt to dissolve and
give up power of their own accord, and it is
doubtful if the Assembly will destroy itself
and appeal to the people. Nor is the Presi-
dent invested with the power to dissolve the
Assembly. He is, in fact but the creature of
that body. A revolutionary act on his part
seems to be the only alternative in the event
of the Assembly persisting in being perma-
nent and Frustrating his administration. A
bolder and more vigorous man might declare





people, though not legally invested with that
power; but M. Theirs evidently is afraid to
risk such an extreme measure. Yet to all ap.
pearances France must either come to that OF
to bloody revolution in the streets. One ex.
pedient after another may be tried, but oil
will prove futile in the end. There is no way
of solving the serious difficulty that exists but
by dissolution Of the Assembly and new
election. If, after that, the public voice SHOULD
be for the Empire, the monarchy or the Re
public, the form of government desired
should be established. While we, as Ameri
cans and republicans, would wish to see re
public in France, we bclieve that the French
as every other people, ought TO have that form
of government they may choose through
tuIi land AM: fair vote Of the whole population.


THE CHICAGO Inter-: Ocean ladministratic,-r ~
settles the political status of the recaicitrac
republican Congressman in the following sum
mary manner :-"Those Senators and repre-
sentatives who one year ago withdrew from
the republican party, and, turning upon it
sought to stab it in q vital part, are politica
traitors, and no longer have any Legitimate
functions to perform in the councils of th'
organization" This is not only reading mer
out of party, but closing the door agains
their possible re-entrance at any future time
Where will they go?


TIE QUESTION OF CHURCH AND STATE Il
GERMANY still presents itself as subject TO
social, domestic and provincial agitation, a
well as for concern to the Imperial Cabinet
The Berlin government has, it appears re
solved to deal with it effectually for final solu
ton, particularly in the Polish provinces, a
will be seen by our cable telegram to-day ant
the exposition Of Prince Bismarcks position
which we append to the news DESPATCH.