Year: 1871

y


day last conferred the executive power of the
| government on M. Theirs. This event was
expected. From the present time, therefore,


until the voice of the French nation de-
clares the choice of government and elects
an emperor, king or president France may
be considered republic, with Theirs as its
chief executive officer. While rejecting on
the present situation in France we cannot
help thinking that, as was the case in Spain
from the downfall and expulsion Of Queen Isa-
bella In the fall of 1868 until the selection Of
Amadeus, the Savoyard near the close of
1870, 80 may it be, in some respects, with the
French nation in 1871. France is getting more
and more like Spain every day. Like Spain,
she desires to be a republic, and French
statesmen, akin to Spanish statesmen, will, we
fear, hesitate to take a decided stand in favor
of the permanent establishment of a republic.
Prim had the game in his own hand at one
time in Spain. bold move determined act,
resolute stroke would, have secured the
stake, but vacillating course prevented the
consummation of the act. While the world
looked on and expected every day to hear of
grand coup Getat on the part of the man who
more than any other was the means
of hurling Isabella from her throne,


he wavered in course the prompt
adoption of which might have made him
one of the foremost men in Europe. The
crown of Spain went begging. The men who
would wear it could not get it, and the men
who could obtain it would not have 1t. The


Duke of Montpensier, Don Carlos and the
Prince of Asturias all were willing to assume
the kingly robe and wear the crown of
Ferdinand and Isabella, but none of them
No doubt some one else could have been found
to assume the chair Of Spanish republic, but
all alike were doomed to disappointment, and
foreign prince was at length chosen to sit on
the throne of Spain. In France we find
nearly similar state of things existing at
the present day. Napoleon longs for the
imperial purple which the disasters to his
armies forced him to lay aside. Scions of the
houses Of Orleans and Bourbon are also anx-
ious to fill the throne once occupied by their
forefathers, and it is not doubted for moment
that man could be found willing in France to
fill the chair Of French republic.


Never before in the history Of France have
French statesmen or the French people been
called upon to act in so delicate matter as
the one which now presents itself for adjust
ment. Rarely has nation been called upon
to decide on questions requiring more
wisdom and forethought. France, suffering
from series of disasters unparalleled, almost
in the worlds history, will be called upon to
select government which must secure her


peace without further humiliation. With the
country occupied by an invader, the French


army prisoners Of war, the navy Of France
poweress, the capital of the nation
at the mercy Of the victor, the task
is, indeed, one of difficult adjustment. One of
the conditions on which peace can only be
made with the conqueror will be the cesson of
the rich and beautiful tract Of France known
as Alsace and Lorraine. That the Ger
mans will insist on this there is scarcely
shadow Of doubt, and that such dis
memberment will be deeply and keenly
felt by the French people is a conviction
equally strong. The speech of M. Keller in
the National Assembly on Friday, while adjur-
ing his colleagues to proclaim their inviolable
attachment to Alsace and Lorraine, is one evil
dence Of the depth Of feeling pervading
French minds on the subject. The attitude of
the Partisan delegation, in threatening to
withdraw in case the dismemberment of the
nation would be agreed to by the Assembly, is
another proof of the difficulties of the present
situation. In the meeting Of these difficulties
M. Theirs will find himself called upon to
exercise all the tact and skill which he is ac-
credited to possess. The French people must
be appeased and kept occupied. The
final humiliation which will come in
the yielding up of the provinces of Alsace


and Lorraine must be smoothed in some


manner in which it will appear less painful
than it really is. The people will then be
| called upon to elect ruler, and on that elected


ruler, chosen by the voice of the French


nation, will fall the responsibility of recon-
structing France. With the absorption of
Alsace and Lorraine by Germany that


ruler will preside over a dismembered
nation, for such, to a proud and SEN
sitive people like the French, France must


henceforth appear, and in the feeling which


will thus be engendered will rest the dangers
which may threaten the government No
matter what may be choice, be it empire or
monarchy, or even republic, the signs portend
the coming day of the peoples, when kingly
rule will be dispensed with and universal
suffrage supply its place.


THE TENNESSEE. Nothing has yet been
heard of this steamer. The government is
| satisfied that the one reported as being seen