The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-13

Our Minister in Paris-AIis Correspondence
Relative to the Late Stirring Events.
Few will deny that Miaister Washburne has
had most difficult task to per orm since July
last. No man who has taken the trouble to
go over his voluminous correspondence will
deny that, in circumstances of peculiar en-
barrassment, he has done honor to himself, to
the people whom he represents and to the
cause of humanity generally. All through,
from the moment that war became inevitable,
he felt the weight of his responsibility, and up
to the last he has done Robly.
His first trouble was with the Germans.
They sought his protection. 1t was compli-
meut to the United States. He felt and ac-
Rnowledged it. France, first of oil, refused TO
allow any German to leave the country, on the
ground that he would add unit of strength
to the enemy. Having communicated
with the State Department at Washing
ton Mr.. Washburne protested against
this as violation of all law and as
contrary to all precedent. Next France
resolved to drive every German out Of the
country on the ground that he was spy.
This was piece of cruelty unparalleled in
history. To this our Minister was opposed,
but his opposition was powerless. Mr.. Wash
burne pays Prussia an honest compliment
when he says that but for Prussia he should
not have been able to be Of any service to the
poor Germans who were ruthlessly driven
from hearth and home. Prussia supplied him
with money, and he used the money wisely
and well. What he did for the Germans he
was able to do for the South Americans.
Thanks to the common sense and tact of the
American Minister the @gis of the young
republic of the West was in France protec-
ton to all who sought its shelter.
The correspondence, however, is chiefly
valuable for the light it casts on the men who
made the revolution of the 4th of September,
and who have since been leading France into
deepening depths Of misery. Some Of the
scenes Mr.. Washburne describes deserve to
reproduced. On the 9Th of August news of a
great victory arrived in Paris. ''The people
rushed into the streets, flags were everywhere
displayed, men embraced and kissed each
other, shedding tears of joy. Shouts, vocife-
such delirium was never before witnessed.
Rue Richelieu, the Boulevards Montmartre
and Italiens and the Rue de Ia Paix were
filled with people singing the 'Marseillaise.'
Everybody declared that the news was true;
they had seen the official report; there could
be no doubt OF its correctness Madame Sass,
q distinguished opera siager, was found in the
street, and the crowd insisted upon her singing
the Marseillaise' from her carriage, which
she sang three times, amid transports of
enthusiasm. In another part of the street the
multitude forced another distinguished singer
to mount to the top Of an omnibus, also to
sing the 'Marseillaise. After the first Juror
OF the enthusiasm had subsidized some per-
sons began to suggest that it would
be well to inquire little further into
the news, and Of course the result was
that it proved to be stupendous hoax. The
songs at once ceased, the flags were taken
in, and the victims Of the c0n0rd began to
feel indignant. AS it originated at the Bourse
the cry was raised in the crowd a la
.BOMse i and away the people went breath
ing vengeance against the money changers
and spectators, who, it was alleged, had taken
advantage Of the false report to get the benefit
of rise of about four per cent in the stocks.
Never were money changers more summarily
driven out of their temple. In few moments
all persons in the Bourse were. expelled, some
of whom, it is said, were thrown head and
heels out Of the windows and doors. In
short time, however, about half-past three
o'clock, the crowd left, greatly exasperated at
having been made the victims Of so cruel a
hoax, and directed themselves towards Place
Vend5me, hating under the windows of the
Minister of Justice. There they shouted for
Emile Olivier, and demanded of him the
closing of the Bourse, from which the false
news had emanated. M. Olivier responded
in short and well turned speech, closing
by asking them to dispense, which they
did" This is the kind of people
who, q few weeks before. cheered the
Emperor on his dep arturo for Berlin. Another
scene is equally characteristic. The Corps
Legislatif had been invaded, the 'sDe-
cheance had been pronounced, Paris was in
tumuit, and the Hotel de Vile had become
the centre of attraction. Leaving the cham
Der we went at once to the Hotel de Vile.
The number of the people assembled there was
enormous, and the same determination ex-
listed between them and the National Guard as
elsewhere. The building had been invaded
by the people, and all the windows fronting
on the square were filed with rough and dirty
looking mea and boys. Soon terrific shout
went up; Rochefort was being drawn in a
Cab by the multitude through the crowd. He
was CHASTITY pale; he stood up in the vehicle
covered with sashes Of red, white and blue,
and waving his hat in answer to the acclama-
tions. AS he was hauled slowly through the
unultituda To tho mar, lnnr of the HAtel do