The Star. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1879.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3595, 18 October 1879, Page 2

The Star. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1879.

The unfortunate death of the Prince Imperial has brought complete disorganisation upon the friends of the Bonaparte dynasty. A meeting of leading supporters of the Empire haß been beld and Prince Jerome, the indolent and impracticable, ba3 been chosen as the bead of tlio party. The will of the late Prince designated the son of Prince Jerome as bis successor in the event of such a cutting off as has occuvred, but it has been found impossible to ignore tho legitimate claims of the father for the purpose of accepting the son. A sufficient period having elapsed Binco the catastrophe in Zulu land to satisfy tho requirements oi decency, it was felt that some evidence of vitality as a power in tho state should be manifested. Accordingly a meeting of Imperialist Senators and Deputies waß held at the house of M. Rouiier in Paris. M. Bouher himself, tho Cassagnacs, peve ct fds, and many other prominent leaders of tho party only a few months ago, were absent. The gathering was not large ; it was not enthusiastic ; it was morally feeble ; and the hopes expressed were characterised by an almost utter absence of hope. As there was not the remotest probability of the selected candidate being ever called upon to rule over France, the question of an approximately near restoration of the Empire was not even raised. Prince Jerome was only asked to accept the empty position of titular head of an unpopular and powerless dynasty, and even tbat was not agreed to without considerable opposition and protest. The elevation of Prince Jerome to tho leadership of the party was no doubt a necessity, but tho selection of snch a leader shows very conclusively the desperate Btraits to which the party has been reduced. Prince Flon-plon, as ho is called, is neither loved nor trusted; a considerable minority at the meeting were indisposed to concede his claims unless certain guarantees were stipulated ; and a suspicious looking resolution binding tho party to " support tho principles which have always inspired the Imperial policy," but not even mentioning Prince Jerome's name was submitted. Perhaps it would havo been better for the fortunes of the Bonapartists if tho meeting had never been held, as it has mado clear to the world the di'sßirß"ons and want of confidence subsisting, if it has not actually been the means of affording grounds for still further ruptures. At the caucus no claim waß put forth for eovereign rights nor for tho possession of any imperial honour or dignity on behalf of Prince Jeiiome. It was freely allowed tbat any claims which he might bo considered to havo should bo submitted to tho popular vote before they could be recognised. Tho meeting pimply confined itself to tho very empty recognition of Prince Jerome «b the heir of Louis Napoleon, and one whom the party should bo prepared to support, if, through somo at present unexpected contingency, occasion should arise for a reference to the whole subject of the future government of France to the peopie. This hesitating and fearful policy ia due in a great measure to the known unpopularity of the candidate. The late Prince Imperial was a modest, bravo, and virtuous youth, and however the French people may cherish sentiments of hatred agaiDst the memory of the " man of Sedan," the late representative of the Bonapartes, personally, could havo had few, if any, enemies. Had either he, or Prince Victor been the subject of the gathering, it is certain tbat the meeting would have been much larger, more united, and as a result a bolder policy would have been announced. In the meantime the proverbial restlessness of tho French people ib again beginning to manifest itself, The death of the late unfortunate Prince has evidently been the cauio of a

general stirring up of old feelings and passions. The Republic baß governed France well, and the French people owe much of the blessings they now enjoy to that form of Government ; yet there are not wanting signs of dissatisfaction and a desire for change. A. conciliatory policy, such as the Grevy Ministry have pursued, is nob understood by a people familiar to the strong arm of the sword and the authority of force. It is mistaken for weakness. Hence there are rumours amongst the Republicans of a probable Ministry under Gambetta, and if the existence of the Republic is threatened, Gambetta is the only man in France that can save it. Since the caucus in the house of M. Rouher, both Prince Jerome and the Count de Ohambord have issued manifestoes to the country, and both have sought to obtain the sympathy and support of the clericals, thereby recognising that the priesthood are still a great political power in France. In the Home News of August 29, it is said that Prince Jerome has been fairly successful in his effort, and has disposed of the insinuations cast upon his personal courage. The manifesto of Henri Cinq, in the usual form of a letter to a supporter of the Monarchy, we publish in another column, and if any demonstrations of the feelings of the Parisians are to be taken as a guide to the prevailing sentiments of the people, it certainly would appear that he nas recently won very considerable sympathy. From recent telegraphic news we learn that in Paris, on Sept. 29, the birthday of the Count de Chambord, was celebrated with universal festivities, and banquets ; addresses conveying sentiments of devotion to the King were read, and predictions of the speedy overthrow of the Republio openly indulged. Upon the whole it would appear that if any revolution of the political wheel takes place, it will be in the direction of bringing the Bourbons once more to the throne. Prince Plon-plon will require to conciliate a great deal before he can win for himself a good position in the estimation of the French people. His reported treatment of the Empress Eugenic in the hour of her terrible affliction, has given a chock to the most devoted adherents of the fortunes of his House. The army, upon which the fortunes of the Bonapartes were built, and upon whose support the Empire always rested, has, since the establishment of the Republic, become almost completely alienated from the old Napoleonic ideas, and can no longer be relied upon as a source of strength. The hopes of the friends of the Empire were concentrated in the brave Prince who fell in a far-away land, and the present is their darkest hour. The future of France is now a question of an enduring Republic or a restoration of the Monarchy.