The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-15
-HENRI ROCHEFORT.
ERe Editor of "La Santerne'' and the
New York French Republicans.

An Interesting correspondence has recently
taken place between NJ. Henri Rocheiort, EDITOR
OF the Ldnteine, and committee OF the Ctuo
kepubllcalne de Langue Francaise of Neg
York city. The latter, in ackno wledgment OF
the services of Nj. Rochefort to the cause of
liberty in France. sent him an elegant pen, and
urged him not to allow bimself to be draw into
dues by paid bullies 10 the service OF Napoleon,
whereby his life might be endangered. The
following is his replg:-
DECEMBER 20, lSGs.- Dear Friends-I might
even say dear fellow citizens, for all free meu
belong to one party Il have been deeply
touched by the address which you have frater-
pally voted me, aud by the splendid souvenir
that you have dedicated 10 my efforts to lit the
French nation out OF the abyss in which Tor the
last seventeen years she has been sunk. rue
81 ectacle presented by America is tue grand
argument against tyranny; all the sopnsms OF
despots fail TO the ground before that fact. She
is great, she is powerful, she is rich, and yet
she is tree. Imagine then the 10y feel, dea-
friends, at receiving from across the Atlantc
cordial hand-erasp from those Whon every
republican must regard as has matters and
models.
My dear friends all, members of the French
Republican Club, OF tue Radical hepu0ilcan
Club, and OF all other organizations which take
an interest in my labors, you beseech me no
longer to risk my life in unequal duels. When
threw myself into the struggle against those
military politicians who are plunderlng France
and whom know to be capable OF every crime,
| at once offered the services OF my lite, and
am bound to conduct myself In such wise az "a
prove to them that If their offers have not se'
duced me, their threats cannot terriiy me.
No one knows better than myself the folly of
those so.Called affnr5 of honnrs, which make
my country every day more dishonoredibut IN a
community where 1t has become almost lmpos-
slble TO write OF TO speak, it remains only, as a
last resort, TO show that you are man. We
have at last, hOpe, entered upon struggles more
important and serious, IL is Tor these you
course me to reserve myself henceforth, since
those alone can bring lis the long-awaited
triumph OF liberty and Justice. thousand,
thousand thanks, dear friends, tor tue comfort
your sympathy has afforded me in'the midst Ot
my labors, which are sometimes clouded by
encouragement. To one who has made up his
mind to struggle where there is so little cer-
tainty of victory, words like yours are more
! than a hope-they are strength and arms.
Be assured, however, dear bIothers, toat
| whatever NAV be tie result of the war that
| honest men have now declared against tri-
| umphant crime, will never employ the mag
| nifcent pen, the receipt of which has aroused
| such agreeable emotions OF surprise, out In de
| fense of humanity and France, and not merely
| to the last drop Of my ink, but to the last dro9
| OF blood in my veins. Humble soldier that
| am in defense of republican ideas, IT is from
| men like you that look for my promotion. No
| decoration given by a despot can ever oe SO
valued as the pen Of honor that i have TINS
| day received from the hands OF loyal citizens
| of free America. Receive in return, dear
| friends, all that / can send you-my gratitude
| and my warmest and most irsternal ackuoW-
| Judgments. HENRI RooHEFoRT.