New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-10-20
THE TRUE STATE OF THINGS IN FRANCE.
LETTER FROM w 4 BRISBANE
The Predominant Ideas in ~ociety-The Divi-
sion of Parties-Plans of heform-Chnnaes
In sOcIety-The Clubs In Paris-The speak,
ers-Rcyolntion of Public Opinion-The
Peace Party-Description of an Ultra
French Conservative and an tltrn-Rnd-
fcoI Pms sent q 1912

"h" IN
ical PARIS, sept g. 1879
To the Editors Of Tie Tribune.
When a man has witnessed the tremendous
social out which have recently conyused France
ordinary events dwinde into insigndcance. lie feels
little disposed 10 write about them. since June there
have been no violent eruptons OF the social volcano 10
record but the disorderes elements have still muttered
ominousy below though the events not great the
facts are worthy OF study Under these circumstances
viii leave for the able pen Of your special Correspond
cnt the immediate topics Of the day and endcavor to
present view Of the actual under currents Of society
the ideas and feelings which excite aud agitaie the PEG
pic Of Paris for ae! all ideas and feelings are a, the
bottom OF the Revolution and if We understand them
we understand the Revolution.
The strongest impression which has been produced
upon my mind is the universal spread OF Socialism
among the people and the thinking minds Of the upper
classes Politics is entirely secondary the Republic IS
but means 70 an end q radical reform IN the whole
system OF Labor Credit Commerce and social Life is
tho desire and aim. This il summary OF leading
ideas which are presented under infinite varieties of
doctrine and method some OF them damctrcsy ~
posed 10 others and which give vitality 10 the great
movement in France known by the general name Of
Socialism It may be- truly said that ia France at the
prescnt day the idea OF Political Reforms has been
swallowed up entirely by the idea of Social Reforms
The Republicans of the Past have nearly all become so
cissts and they desire only to establish Repuo
lie "a surer and safer means OF establishing Social
Reform The few among the Republicans who are not
Socialists are msrshaing themselves in the Conserva
tive ranks and for itself alone, the Republic, in fact
has no representatives and sincere supporters II may
consequently be said that there are but two parties in
France At presont-the Conservatives and the Social
ISIS The sea, battle be fought in the Press in the
streets in the Clubs and in the Legislative Hall viii be
between Conservatism and Socialism. So true is this
that Conservatives and even ultra Conservatives, have
stated to me in conversation that the contest lies not
between the Monarchy and the Republic, but between
tie old order of things in society and Socialism. This
avowal this quarter shows conclusiyey that the
idea 81 Social Reform has become he grooi hriHg and
nork,u9 idea All classes it and feel H. and while
the body of the people the working classes and the ad
vanced minds are spired aud moved by IT, those who
are in possession of riches and exclusive privileges
cognze only to fear it Seshness always fears to lose
what it has by sharing with another.
The Revolution Of % was purely Official but the
experience gained by that terrible conflict brought the
conviction to many minds that deeper and more organ
ic reforms than those of a mere political nature were
needed and hence the idea of Social and Industrial
ence of the Past in the mind of this Nation The think
ing minds have for long time since the subsid-
ing OF the fiery elements of the first Revolution been
quietly celebrating and propagsting this idea. They
were engaged silently and obscurely until the Revolu-
ton of 1890 but openly and energetcslly since that
epoch But it is mainly since the Revolution Of Feb
ruary that the idea Of Social Reform has entered the
arena of popular discussion, and become object Of
prominent importance, penetrating and exciting socie-
ty TO its very center.
Out of the great variety Of systems and plans Of So
cal Reform which have come into existence and are
advocated with more less ability and energy by diff
ferent parties the public mind with that kind Of nsnc
tive common sense which ever belongs 10 the masses
ia selecting what suitable for the present moment
what meets the immediate wants Of the People, what
can DE applied 10 men and things they The re-
forms which excite the most interest are those OF an
industrial character; the question which stands pre-
eminent is that of Labor.
Its cesrly understood that the Lsborng Glasses
degraded by a false system of Labor that they are
oppressed by Monopoly that they are spoiated ard
preyed upon (eploited) by Capital and Commercial
Credit and hence that paccai and radical reforms IN
Industry in the system of Manufactures Of Commerce
of Banking SC must be effected not merely super
fetal political reforms which attempt only 70 regulate
the disorders of Society but those which will absolute
y remove the evils which Cypress the Producing Class
es IN a word the Iteration Of tie Lab0riRg Classes
through Industrial Reorms is the fundamental IDEA and
the demand Of the present time in France.
Nowhere can we better study the temper Of the times
and learn what are the ideas at work among the people
here than at the Clubs. These centers Of agitation
which were closed after the conflict Of June have been
recently allowed open again. have attended with
great deal Of interest some OF those which have re-
sumed their sitings. Here We can not only become &C.
quainted with the character OF the reform ideas cher
ished by the people bat ascertain their nteli
rence their sincerity thoir devotion and their determ
nation knowing these may easily pronounce upon
the future.
The Clubs arc chiefly composed Of the Lsborins
Glasses and students and intelligent, minds among the
Middle classes should Judge that 500 or ~ persons
were present generally at those which have visited
They are held large and elegant halls oi when mere
great many in Paris, constructed principally As ball
rooms The speeches delivered At them are generally
shorter and more pertinent than those which We hear
al political and reform meetings 10 the United states
they seldom exceed neen minutes in length and tney
manifest vyacity and earnest enthusiasm nav
b,en torciby struck too with the order and decoru
which chsracterize the Clubs, and the liberal courtesy
which Is observed toward opponents. but above ALL
have been surprised 81 the Intelligence, me achs an1
H. knowledge and devoted thought which the speak
srs usually evince In this respect particularly tha
Climbs far surpass my expectations. Any one present
has right 70 speak and msniests his desire oy mold
inc M bis hand and saying. Je dcHsaRaf "a pfroh
have heard young men, apparently students ana "ofA
inru,en develop, In 4 clear and forclole manner,
train of thought ehch for depth and az TIE same time
sound sense and logic, would have done honor to toe
most distinguished statesmen Of the dsy Nnen saw
this tet that the Future belonged 70 these men tns
movement was fairly commenced In France winch
no mover on earth could stop or divert rom Us course
and which must inevitably carry the word on % ne"
orser of society-a new state OF social existence ms
moyemen, has for It's impetus the misery and me III
tee borne by the LsboTing Classes for IT'S GUIDE me
deal Of better and happier order OF society on earn
and for It's councillors the thoughts and ssPsuohs o.
the best minds of this nation and the world
Probably this last assertion may seem Al eNaseIAsoH
To some but IL is not so single TACT vii prove u
IL - this that Al least bali OF the Fress oil Isfs
which certainly combines great portion OF thr Aeh'
of the country Is SOcialsf-snt II Il not the epneu
rs and frivolous portion OF the press, put me solo'
the serious and the permanent The NGt0aat iot eN'
ample which is one OF the Oldest Republican journals
and which owing 10 lis position and influence pos
sessss senofcial character the Rsf0Tne, the nsAi
Oldest and an sbe and most ind uennal Denoerauc pa
per the Democratic Pacfqa1 the organ OF the FnAAns
terians the disciples Of Fourier the SPECTATOR hsPao
lioaiRs the yraiS RpEbiqas and host OF otne's are
AL advocates of social and Industrial reforms.
10 stfs ahn OF in