M. Henri Germain has been elected President of the Left,
Centre party in France. We wish, by the way, some one woulcf explain to us exactly what these unofficial French chiefs of parties within parties are supposed to do, whether it is, for instance, supposed to, be the duty of a good Left-Centre rem to follow M. Henri Germain's lead in the Chamber, even if he gives the signal to oppose the Government which the party, had pre- viously raised to power. However, in his address on the occasion, delivered on Tuesday, he very wisely insisted strenuously on the duty of supporting the Government as cordially as in the first days of the Republic, when the same party supported M. Thiers. That seems to us a very wise policy. But why, then, elect these unofficial leaders at all, who may at any time find it their duty to' quarrel with the official leaders ? If the Government does not satisfy the party, cannot the party show their discontent indi- vidually, without a President to organise it, as it were ? It seems to us that these wheels within wheels rather obstruct instead of ill, any way aiding the " solidarity," as it is called; of French parties.
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