The Radicals in the French Chamber on Thursday proposed once
more the expulsion of all Princes belonging to houses which had formerly reigned in France. M. de Freycinet vigorously re- sisted the proposal, declaring privately that if it were carried the Ministry must resign ; but the surprise of the debate was a speech from a Radical Member, M. Henri Maret, who abandoned his party on the ground that the expulsion of individuals was proscription, and that proscription was unjust. Excep- tional laws were laws of privilege. If the Princes conspired, let them be prosecuted like other people ; and if they did not conspire, they were only citizen. M. Clernenceau, to his great discredit, fought for the expulsion ; but the Cham- ber rejected the motion by 345 to 195, and even rejected an amendment enabling the Government to expel at will by :133 to 188, asserting finally that it had full confidence in the energy of the Ministry. The Radical argument for these expulsions is that a Prince, merely by existing, must be the centre of a conspiracy ; but their true feeling is jealous dislike of social superiority. The Terrorists were more logical, and sent everybody with a " de " before his name to the guillotine. The odd thing is that the party for expulsion do not perceive bow cruelly residence in France must fetter a pre- tender. He is always in the hands of his enemies, who, if he consp'res, can imprison him.
