The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-07
SPIRIT or TEE PRESS.
Editorial Opinions Of the Leading Journals
upon Current opics-CempiIed Every
DAY for the Evening Telegraph.
WYE LA REPUBLIQUE. .

changes which have crumbled the proudest
throne of Europe into dust, and, to all human
seeming, broadeDed the base aud consolidated
the structure of another, there arises in the
thronged and tumultuous streets of agtated
Paris cry which cannot be heard with indif-
ference on this side of the Atlantic. In all
great uprisiDgs for liberty In any part of the
world, and especially in every great uprising
for Liberty in France, our sympathetic citi-
zens have been almost as ardent and excit-
able as the impulsive and demonstra-
tive people of the French capi-
tai. For Greece, for the South
American republics, for Hungary for Cuba,
and especially on two great and memorable
occasions for France, our people and our
Government have eagerly outrun the cold
dictates of prudence, and proffered their gene
rous sympathy to nations struggling to be
free. There is no part of our national char
scter of which we have better reason to be
proud than of this magnanimous, uncalcu-
lating sympathy with the cause of freedom in
whatever quarter of the world it may lift its
banner. When manifested towards France
and it is towards France that our mauifesta-
tions have always been the most fervent-
these exhibitions have been reinforced and
strengthened by warm sentiment of graft
tude for the assistance which France gave us
in the war by which, with her help, we
achieved our independence. France is
inseparably associated with our proudest and
most patriotic recollectIons. She gave us
Lafayette; she was our ally in the war against
England; she, of all nations of the world,
was the first to catch the contagion of our
example and try the experiment of repub-
lie. We are bound to France, as we are to
no other European nation, by ties of graft
tude, affection, common hatred of England,
united exertions in war, and early sympathy
in nfc Nnfh
therefore be more natural than the prompt
encouragement we have always given to her
hitherto unsuccessful attempts to establish
republic.
Even the calm, sedate, imperturbable
Washington was moved to enthusiasm by the
FIRST French republic. When, on the 1st of
January, 1876, Adet, the French minister to
this country, presented him with the colors
of France, Washington made speech-the
warmest he ever made in his life-in the fol-
lowing words:-'I receive, sir, with lively
sensibility, the symbol of the triumphs and
of the enfranchisement of your nation, the
colors of France, which you have now pre-
sented to the United States The transaction
will be announced to Congress, and the colors
will be deposited in the archives of the
United States, which are at once the evidence
and the memorials of their freedom and in
dependence. May this be perpetual and
may the friendship of the two republics be-
come commensurate with their existence"
The congratulatory enthusiasm of the Ameri-
can people, on that occasion, was restrained
within no bounds.
When, in 184S, the republic was again de-
clared in France, our government and people
were equally warm, prompt, and alert. Mr..
Rush, our minister at Paris, without waiting
for instructions, but relying on the steady
friendship of our people with France and
their irrepressible sympathy with the first
dawning of freedom, made haste to tender
his congratulations, and recognize the new
government; separating himself from the
whole diplomatic body in Paris. The result
fully justified the risk he had taken
in his unauthorized action. AS soon
as Mr.. Rush's dispatches we're received
President Polk sent them to Congress with a
message strongly condemning the action of
the Minister, and rivalling his warm express
sions Of copgratulation. Congress did not
fall behind the President. With only two
negative votes in the Senate, and no mega
tive vote in the House, that body passed
resolutions coDgratulating France on the
auspicious change in her government. The
resolutions were sent to Paris by the Presi-
dent, and evoked response from the repub-
lican authorities which was transmitted to
Congress with another message of felicita-
tion by President Polk.
To-day, France is entering on another trial
of the republic. The wonderful suddenness
of> the opportunity has fallen like sparks
among dry combustibles, and blazing liberty
Eliminates the thick darkness of military dis
asters The republic has been proclaimed in
Paris, in Lyons, in Marseilles, in Bordeaux,
and all the great cities of the extinct empire.
The new Government has been organized by
the selection of as strong an executive as can
be found among the liberal statesmen of
France. 1t is not made up of rhetoricans,
GOctgIndiTeS, and enthusiasts, like the Minis.
try in the abortive republic of 1S4S, but OF
able men of affairs who understand the
difference between gasconading appeals
and practical administration. Gambetta is
Minister of the Interior, Jules Favre of For.
eign Affairs, Magne of Finance, Jules Simon
of Public Instruction, Cremieux of Justice,
General Leio of War, Grevy President OF
the Council of State, La Vertujon Secretary.
General of the Provisional Government, and
though last not least, General Trochu is re-
tanned as Military Governor of Paris. The
Legislative Body has been properly deposed,
as il was elected during the defunct regime
under the pressure of imperial influence, and
is out of relation with the new order ol
things. Thus far, the leaders of the republic
have evinced admirable GOODNESS, discretion
and judgment. They seem to have risen a
once to the height of this momentous oc
casion.
The American people would be false Il
their noblest instincts, they would belle al
their generous utterances in the past, an,
prove recreant to the honored principles o
their fathers, if their hearts did not go out il
fervent, forward sympathy with a great
heroic nation, their ancient ally, who, il
this season of sudden humiliation and sor
calamity, courageously holds sloft the banne
of free institutions and places itself in tn