Year: 1871

President Theirs and the Orleans Princes


Dimcult Question In tho Assembly.


We print this morning cable despatch,
special to the HERALD, which leaves US little
room to doubt that grave crisis has again
arrived in France. On Tuesday last the Due
d'Aumale and the Prince de Joinville had an
audience of NJ Theirs for the purpose of con-
sulting him as to the course which in present
circumstances they ought to pursue. Both, it
is said, are anxious to claim their rights and
take their seats in the Assembly. To this, it
seems, the President Is, for the present at
least, opposed. Their presence In the Assem-
bly,, he thinks, would arouse existing animosi-
ties and lead to serious trouble. The Bona
partists are active; 80 are the Reds, and even
the Legtimlsts have not altogether abandoned
hope. Any attempt on the part of the Princes
to take their seats M. Theirs would regard as
menace to the republic. The Princes havs
consented to take no decided action witt "a
further consideration. On the same night t.


members of the Commission of the Abrogatiou
Of the Law Of Exile was convened. II is not
clear what course the commission has
decided to take. On the ground,
however, that the appearance OF the
Princes in the Assembly would be q
menace to the republic, the President has
made up his mind to make to the Assembly
some defnitive proposition as to the establish
ment of the republic on solid and permanent
basis. The definitive proposition will, we fear,
,r,ba Il ho fo,,nH tpo lai Tha nipio
according to our correspondent, Is general
that If the Princes push their purpose the
republic will fall. D'Aumale, it Is said, Is
confident Of success, and there are many who
think that If he were to take action at once
the majority of the Assembly would be with
him.


1t is notorious that two-thrds Of the National
Assembly are monarchieal in their principles.
We have no doubt that If 1t were put to the
vote whether the Assembly favored mon
archy or the republic the majority would vote
for the monarchy. But 1t is not our opinion
that such o vote would be decisive. The pres
ent Assembly is no longer representative of
France. II was elected in circumstances and
for purposes which no longer exist. The
nation, it is said, would gladly accept any
arrangement which would promise them
solid and permanent government. II is i'm
possible, however, to imagine that the repub-
licans Of any shade would contentedly accept
the decision of the Assembly II It went
against them. The Bonapartists would
raise o howl and demand pltJi-
scite There can be no settlement of this
government question unless there be a fresh
appeal to the people. II President Theirs
takes this bold course he may yet make HIM
| self the master of the misunderstanding himself
quite equal either to tho restoration Of the
House OF Orleans or to the continuation aud
consolidation Of the republic. Z If he does not
take some such prompt action the Bonapartes,
aided by the disahfected parties, may force a
| pltbiscite and so restore the empire. When il
Is necessary to guard the French coasts by


ships Of war, In dread OF "another descent


from Elba," it is reasonable to take 1t foi


granted that Napoleon and his friends arc


watchful OF the situation and ready for thu


opportunity. NJ Theirs is in tight place


We shall soon see whether he Ia equal to tn,
Asavy demands now made upon himl