The New York herald., 1870-09-17
The Ton. and A,tltud. of Paris.


The latest news from the vicinity of Paris,
as conveyed by our dispatches, indicates
that the gay aud splendid capital of France,
so recently the imperial city, has prepared
herself in all ways for the last supreme effort
of defence. When we first were decisively
informed that persistent war was the purpose
of the young republic we supremely regretted
it. Liberty is worth almost any price that is
within the reasonable limits of ordinary life,
and there are times when few sacrifices are
too great for such boon. France, in q
moment Of national distress, has preferred the
form and name Of liberty, under the title Of
the republic, to oil the meretricious glories of
the empire. We say France, because the
change of government has been hailed and
accepted in every department and in every
city, without protest or opposition. In assum-
ing this responsibility the nation was bound
to take upon itself the charges of the new
order Of things, and first among these are the
restoration of peace and the cessation of
carnage and ruin. But the new government
has rather, it seems, chosen to assume the
burdensome legacies of the empire, and the
consequence is the isolation Of Paris. To the
fearful devastations of Strasbourg, Metz
and Sedan are to be added the dis sfgure-
ment, If not the partial destruction, of the
most elegant city on earth.
This is q sad resolve. but the choice once
made, and the resolve once taken, the people
of Paris present a spectacle to the world that
should elliott the admiration of every true
heart. In spite of all the bugaboo stories so
industriously set afoat by the bitter foes of
popular liberty there have been no disorders,
no outrages. Even Rochefort, Of whom SO
many self sufficient predictions were made,
performs perfectly calm and dignifed part,
and his influence is said to be ''most conser-
vative and salutary." Gambetta, the brilliant
young advocate and tribune Of the people,
exhibits more discretion and more practical
sense than all the flourishing Ministers put
together that monarchical rule had given in
twenty years. Victor Hugo and Ledru Roll
lin-those nightmares of the imperial old
women of last year-are in Paris to meet the
shot and shell of the enemy, while the valiant
paladins Of the purely military system have
run away. The leaders are
moderate and wise; the people are quiet and
resolute. Never before was there 80 little fam
before so much real work.
Meanwhile, although the gas is cut off and the
gendarmerie abolished, there have been fewer
causes for arrest than ever before in the
of the present generation.
The tone and attitude, then, of this great
capital of Christendom are worthy Of her hour
of trial. France may well be proud of them
and proud of the newborn republic that
inspires them. Her example Of itself alone
will be propaganda of the republican faith
that no barriers can exclude and no petty CEN
sorship can stile. The German soldiery will
be taught, by her ramparts and her barricades,
how free people can Withstand the test of
steel and fire for the common cause; and we
may fervently believe that the example will
not be slow in bringing forth abundant fruit
elsewhere, when Paris shall have sunk with
her tr-color into ashes or shall hold it aloft at
last in the sight of the nations in triumph.
THE STATUE OF LINCOLN was erected in