Year: 1872


signed and that Marshal MacMahon had been
appointed in his place, which was circulated
yesterday afternoon, proves fortunately to
have been without foundation. In all proba-
bility it was set afioat for stock jobbing
purposes by some unscrupulous parties in
terested in the funds. So far as is at present
known the only fact which could have sug-
gested this story was the election of one OF the
opposition to reply to President Theirs message
to the Assembly, which incident was looked
upon as being unfavorable to the existing
government The excitement that followed the
announcement of President Theirs resigna-
tion furnishes proof how important it is to the
interests and prosperity of France that no dis
turbance should be permitted in the order OF
things which at present exists. No one is better
aware of the want in which France stands
of well-assured government than the present
head of the Executive. In his message to the
Assembly he particularly insists on the danger
that must arise to the peace and progressive
development of France should any party in the
State unwisely endeavor to alter the form Of
government that has retrieved, if not the for
tunes, at least the credit of France. So care
full is he that he will not even venture to
disturb the present repose of the public mind
by proclaiming the permanence Of the Repub-
lie, although he asserts his belief that only
through it's agency can the happiness and
prosperity of the nation be secured.


With such ideas it is impossible for Presi-
dent Theirs voluntarily to retire from the high
position to which the confidence of the French
people has raised him without sacrificing
all claim to the gratitude, not alone OF the
French nation, but of oil who value the cause
of liberty and progress, which he has un-
doubtedly earned by the admirable manner in
which he has reconciled the contending inter-
ests of factions and rendered them subservient
to the service of the country. His has been
no easy task. Surrounded by monarchical
intriguers and obstructed by the unwise zeal
of theoretic and visionary republicans, he has
had to depend for the preservation of order
and the safety of his government on an army
whose traditions are strongly imperialistic


Well might a man in the prime of life, and
aided by strong and devoted party, shrink
from the responsibilities of so delicate posi-
ton It is due to President Theirs to say that
his successes have been peculiarly his own,
for except that unstable support, the public
opinion Of the French people, he has had
nothing to rely upon but his own strong will
and ON almost fanatic belief in the soundness
Of his own views. Such character must al
ways command attention, but there are mo-
ments when too pronounced an opinion in his
own infallibility becomes in statesman dan
gerous to the best interests of q nation. It is
the fear that this obstinacy Of character may
one day impel President Theirs to accept
conflict with the Assembly, from which no
issue but his resignation would be possible,
that gave force to the rumor which yesterday
caused general uneasiness. Had the resigna-
ton taken place and been followed by the
elevation Of MacMahon to the control of the
government the results could scarcely have
failed to be disastrous to France. We believe
that among all the soldiers of the
Empire not one enjoys a tenth of
the respect or confidence reposed in
MacMahon by the French people, but his
elevation to the Presidency would be regarded
by the republican party as threat against the
life of the Republic. The ghost of Imperialism
would be conjured up to alright the
ardent imaginatons of the youth of France,
all confidence in the future would dis
appear, and the young men would in oil
probability descend into the streets to save
liberty before the chains could be riveted.
All the benefits that have been conferred on
France would be swept away, and anarchy
and bloodshed replace the peace and indus
trial progress which are now earning for the
nation the admiration and respect of the
civilized world. Nothing more fatal to the
best interests of France could happen. 1t
would be to renew the stupid error the Assem-
bly, made at Bordeaux in appointing to
the command of Paris man who had
Redeemed his hands in the blood Of the people
in Napoleon's December massacre. The at
tempt to disarm the National Guards aroused
the suspicious of the republicans, and the
unwise appointment of General vinoy to the
command of the Army of Paris confirmed thei
fears for the safety of the Republic,
and precipitated, if it did not cause,
the struggle of the Commune, which deluged
the capital in blood and left On indeli-
BILE stain on the honor of France Had the
Assembly acted with prudence and forbear-
ance humanity might have been spared the
horrors of that fratricidal struggle, which was
rendered almost inevitable by the heartless
intrigues of the monarchical and imperial
factions even in the hour of their country's
agony. MacMahon recognizing the peril of
the situation like disinterested and patriotic
soldier, at once announced that even
should President Theirs resign he would
not consent to be his successor. No doubt he
Justly estimates the evils to which his eleva-
ton would be likely to give rise, and he is