POLITICAL SITUATION OF FRANCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 151, 29 December 1870, Page 7

POLITICAL SITUATION OF FRANC E.

The political situation'is excellent. The Provisional Government is reaping gold.en opinions for its honesty, uprightness, and patriotism. JSsloperjpetua. It undertakes nothing but what it accomplishes; promises only what it fulfils. It convokes the Constituent A ssembly in face of many drawbacks ; gives three representatives where the ex regime gave but one ; leaves the elections as freo as air, where tho proletaire and millionaire can alike become candidates free of expense. TherearenomorePrefetsto take care that the urns will uot contain more votes for the official candidate than voters on the lists. It restores to the communes their independence, strikes oft* every fetter that manacled individual action, and collective strength. It took the ex-ompirc eighteen years to leave the nation powerless and nearly in ruins ; the present rulers in eighteen days has placed it ou a firm pedestal. All desire peace, on condition that it will not tarnish honour. The people are content to pay dearly for the closing up of the accounts of the Second Empire, whose official parliament—voting white yesterday, black to-day, and black again to-morrow — brought on them this terrible invasion. Napoleon's greatness wasbut a mockery, a delusion, and a snare, and he has " left but a Corsair's name" behind.

France has had enough of military glory, ; she wants to shine now in the world of peace, industry, and commerce. Centralizal ion made her under Louis XIV, but has nearly destroyed her under the solnsin of Napoleon ill. If Bismark and Juk-s Favre cannot arrange a peace — if Prussia insists on keeping Alsace and Lorraine — France will use up her last tobacco box, ritie, her last Mobile, before yielding. Then she will educate her youth to carry arms, to organise them, to take back what was wrung from her in her un preparedness. She knows well. " If we do but watch tho hour, There never yet was human power Which could evade, if unforgiven\ * The patient se.irch and vigil long Of him who treasures up a wrong,"

Leagues of neutrality cannot last for aye, and there is in French character a fascination that will bring her something more than sympathy, and will help in dressing her wounds. Note — ___ The Czar decorates the Prince of Sax-l ony for his prowess before Sedan, and I toasts his royal uncle of Prussia, | breaking the gob.'et as evidence ofl eternal friendsliio. But there must be

no more 'holy alliances' against people ; while France lives she will be the protest, likely the avenger. She is under a cloud now ; but

'" The darkest clay, Live till to-moirow, will have passed away."

Study Victor Hugo's second proclamation. It breathes forth threatenings and slaughters ; it " perverts the Prophets, and it purloins the psalms ; but it is French — all it intends to be. --Amiens CorrcsDondcnt's Letter.