Shepherdstown Register

The French Republic.

M. Thiers, in his recent speech on the bill to increase the salary of the President of France, pronounced the French republic a failure. He said:

"It is high time to come to a conclusion, either by an accord or a disaccord. Something may be said on the basis of the question. A republic has been established in the laws, but the attempt to establish it in the manners and customs of the country has proved a failure. The palace of the Elysee does not in any way resemble the residence of the President of the United States. Is the country indignant at that? By no means. In place of condemning what is passing at the Elysee, it smiles with pity at those who have endeavored to found a republic in a nation profoundly monarchical." It is perfectly well aware that it is artists, workmen, and old soldiers who profit by the liberalities of the Elysee much more than those persons who frequent the drawing-room of the President. It is not for us to be astonished at a matter which, after all, is only a firm contradiction given by the verity of our habits to the falsehood of our laws: Let us leave such indignation to the Mountain party. General Cavaignac himself, when head of the Executive power, did not resemble a President of the United States. I should be sorry to do any thing to compromise the future destinies of the country; but I am not one of those who are indignant or astonished that France, notwithstanding that the republic has been proclaimed here, remains in reality a monarchy, by taste, habits, and usages. My vote, consequently, will not cost me any thing as to the principle of the matter; and as to the form, we have sought that which appeared most suitable."