M. Pion, the leader of the Republican Catholics in France,
has written an important letter justifying the votes of his group. He denies that a general election would prove a danger to Parliamentarism, because "true Parliamentarism is the best instrument of progress and liberty, and will always be pre- ferred by an enlightened nation like France, unless she is panic-struak or fettered." The country must not, he says, be frightened by bugbears. The crisis is not really so terrible. From the fragments of the "confused coalition" now in power may arise two clearly defined and opposed Parties. "Sagacious Radicals are now trying to organise one of them, with the advanced Opportunists for their right wing and the Socialists for their left. It is for us to organise with sincere loyalty the Democratic-Conservative Party." This latter Party must produce "no exaggerated demands, no suspicions, no resentments, no metaphysical theories," must forget all maids, and have but one programme, namely, "an open, tolerant, and honest Republic." If X. Pion is sincere, that 2e client ewe ; but we confess to A fooling of despair in regard to "true Parliamentarism " in France. That is an ideal which appeals to about one Frenchman in ten thousand..
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