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Show FRANCE MADE ITS BED. .. It cannot . be denied that the departmental elections elec-tions for the Conscils Generaux resulted in a sensational sen-sational victory for M. Combes. He is now more pleased than ever. The councils have met; they have voted addresses; and clearly the bulk of them thoroughly endorse his anti-clerical policy. This must naturally affect tho views of the masses of the French population. When the leaders and representatives of the people consider themselves them-selves safe in urging the government to carry out to the bitter end'its policy c religious persiifion, there is little hope left that the people will bestir themselves to defend the interests of religion. Indeed, In-deed, says the London Catholic Timese, it may not unfairly be concluded that the popular apathy and indifference is the very reason why the leaders and representatives are emboldened to press on the government gov-ernment the advisability of losing no time in' cutting cut-ting asunder the Church and the state. M. Combes is quite willing to act Alexander, aud what has been a Gordian knot for many previous French statesmen, may be severed this year, not by the sword, but by the more cheap weapon of law. And then we shall see whether Catholics in France will think it time to display any interest m the fortunes of the Chinch. -t . - . |