Year: 1870




has been so rapid as to excite astonishment
even among us in America, used as we
have by our late experiences, become to
political events of stupendous magnitude
being accomplished in exceeding brief
space. The downfall of the Napoleonic
dynasty and the uprising of republic in
its place recalls many important scenes i'm
the history of that volatile nation whose
political course both in war and peace has
so often startled and convulsed Europe and
Interested the civilized world


The word republic, naturally turns our
thoughts to the fearful reign of terror
which marked the first attempt of France
at that form of government.


BY the wild blaze of their first liberty
torch Frenchmen gladly hurled to destruc-
ton the traditions and institutions of the
past. Royalty, arstocracy, prescription
all were thrown down in fierce haste, and
the monarchies of Europe stood aghast as
the streets of Paris ran red with French
blood from the guillotine, and the air re-
sounded with frantic cries of Liberto
Egdtite Frdternite.


In the midst of the reckless blaze of new
made republican fcrvor the little Corsican.
first appeared, and step by stepganed that
wonderful ascendancy over the minds of
his countrymen which enabled him at last
TO take, amid joyful acclamations the inn
perial crown. This frantic boasting re-
publican France found itself again under
the strong arm of imperial power. The
time of the first Napoleon, bloody and ter
rible as it proved, will ever be fondly re-
membered by Frenchmen as the most
glorious era in the history Of that glory
loving people.


1t ended in Waterloo, but not until it
had given them the long and dazzling
scenes of victories embracing Austerlitz.
Egypt and Marengo.


Then came another period of Bourbon
reign, then more insurrecton, then the
famed coup detdt and another Bonaparte
takes the helm, and, like his great prede-
cessor, reaches at last the Imperial throne.


The reign of Louis Napoleon, if we leave
out of view its last and fatal war presents
much to command the admiration and
gratitude of its subjects The Crimea, Ma
genta and Solterno vindicated the militia
ry fame of France. The diplomatic skill
OF the Emperor had made the nation one
of the foremost in the international politics
of continental Europe And the recent
overwhelming majority of the Plebiscite,
even though secured by q skillful use OF
patronage and power, show that despite
all complaints enough progress had been
made in material wealth and constitution
al liberty to give Napoleon Il hold on the
affections of his subjects. Taken with all
their faults, the reigns Of the two Napo-
Icons fnpE
trast most favorably with the inefficiency
and disgrace that attended much Of the
tinAe of Bourbon supremacy.


But now, II few short weeks are filled
with shocks of battle, and the late mighty
Emperor, so short time since endorsed by
the vote of his people, is without a subject
and almost without friend, homeless and
4 prisoner. Truly, monarchists cannot
with good grace charge that Republics
are ungrateful." PiUe pEaDereul' to-day
and HUe te RopubLiqite tomorrow. Thus,
the volatile French nation swings back
wards and forwards between the external
form of Republican government and the
strong hand of Imperial power


No one knows what will come next, and
no one will be surprised if a month hence
new empire should be in full blast This
wild political gyrating compares unfavora-
bly, with the slow but sure progress of Eng
land and Germany, which, though still
retaining the forms of monarchcal govern
ment have made steady progress in the
principles of popular freedom and which,
though moving more deliberatelely, main
tain steadily the ground they have gained


Still, the French nation, in spite of its pc
culiar and eminently Frenchy way of man
aging its forms of government has made
unquestiOnable and substantial progress
during the last century. 1t is TO be hoped
that the next movement may not be one
that will bring mourning and desolation to
many innocent homes, as the fearful blum
der by which Napoleon has just shattered
his own throne.