The vote of the French Senate on the proposal to
dissolve was taken on the 22nd, and the request of the President was granted by 150 to 130, a majority slightly greater than was expected, and caused by the adhesion of four or five Legitimists who had pre- viously stated their intention to remain neutral. The principal speech preceding the vote was that of M. Laboulaye, who pointed out, amidst profound silence, that a Moderate Republican could no longer lean on the Marshal, and condemned his opponents for confusing the voice of the salons with the voice of the country. The Message announcing the decree of Dissolution was read to the Chamber by M. Grevy, who prefaced it by a short declaration that " the country before which the Chamber is about to return, will soon tell it that it has never for a single day ceased to deserve well of France and of the Republic." M. Gambetta has recommended his followers to abstain absolutely from rash expressions, and the entire party has consented that the 363 Members who signed the Order of the Day condemning the Marshal's conduct shall be their candidates at the elections, in preference to new men. That is a wise step, as the peasants can see that the old Members have not revolutionised France.
Previous page
