The speech . of M. Germain, Deputy for Mn, and a
wealthy financier of most moderate opinions, is almost as important as that of M. Gambetta. M. Germain tells his constituents that M. Buffet has not put himself at the head of the 7,000,000 Con- servative Democrats who exist in France, but "has systematically affected to confuse the Republicans with the Radicals," thus uniting the three groups of the Left in the Assembly. By re- fusing to make the Constitution a reality, he forces the country to decide for itself at the election. By appearing ashamed of the Republic, he has handed it to its adversaries as an ex- perimental system. He has revived the policy of the Septennate, and "is now only a General without a flag," and in the approaching battle he will be a General without soldiers. The Conservatives must rally round the legal flag, which is that of the Republic, "and defeat the three enemies of France,—Reaction, Radicalism, and Invasion." This is plain-speaking for France, and this is what M. Buffet is doomed to hear from every hustings in the country, unless he can bring himself to accept the inevitable, which, with the Due de Broglie behind him, he probably will not do. It is notable how much softer the politics of France are getting. No- body asks even for the trial of the civil Baraine.
