No. 247.
Mr. Morton
to Mr. Blaine.
Paris, September 1, 1881. (Received September 15.)
Sir: The French elections are now concluded. For the Republican party responsibility has begun, compromise and half-way measures practically ceased. Excited action and political confusion will, from present indications, be held in check in the chambers and throughout the country. The departmental elections are also strongly Republican in character, and their result clearly indicates the general opinion that a republican form of government, at the present time, meets the wants and receives the sympathies and support of the masses of the French people. At this moment the republic in France maybe said to be consolidated and placed beyond successful attack. Ninety years of perplexing experience has developed democratic ideas into a tower of strength. It must be most gratifying to the government and people of the United States that a country which, one hundred years ago, powerfully contributed to the establishment of our independence, has itself adopted the free institutions which have placed us in the foremost rank of nations.
The political struggle which has just drawn to a close is, furthermore, remarkable for the absence of all government pressure on the electors, and of any attempt to “mobilize” universal suffrage. This confirms the strength which the republic has gained since 1877, and shows that the progress of republican ideas has been steady and uninterrupted. Some explanation for the apathy and non-appearance of passion in the political arena to-day may, perhaps, be found in the fact that the parties hostile to liberal institutions have lost ground, and consequently courage, in every electoral campaign since 1871; and that the wisdom and moderation of the programme adopted by the republican leaders has, in a high degree, secured the confidence of the people. This programme would seem to be replete with measures and plans for the future. The canceling of the estimates for public worship, the rupture of the concordat, the secularization of education, the remission of certain [Page 425] unpopular taxes, and the revision of the constitution regarding the mode of election to the senate, when brought forward in the chamber, are positive and practical steps, which are likely to gain the heart and mind of the nation.
The most accurate returns of ballots, as now ascertained, give the Republicans 398 and the Reactionists 85, out of a total of 547, leaving fresh ballots to be taken in 64 districts on the 4th of September. The aggregate number of the opposition in the chamber, of all shades, will probably be about one hundred. The Monarchical party obtained a majority in only four departments, viz, Maine et Loire, La Loire Inférieure, le Morbihan, and la Vendée, which latter was celebrated in the wars of the revolution for adhesion to royalty and opposition to innovation.
It has been often affirmed, France is a country that requires a personal government. In whatever sense this may be interpreted, at the present time it seems to be the general opinion a new ministry will be called to replace the present one, and that Mr. Gambetta will, at last, take the reins and form a cabinet which will enjoy the confidence of the legislature and promote the various measures of reform.
I have, &c.,