The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-11

The state Of feeling in Paris and the other
large cities, such as Lyons and Marseilles, is
so different from the sentiments which prevail
throughout the rural districts that most people
are perplexed with the divisions and troubles
Of France. The popular notion is that Just as
an American should be an American, whether
his home is in New York city or on farm in
Illinois, so Frenchman should he devoted to
his country, whether he spins silk in Lyons,
sells fancy goods in Paris, or cultivates the
vine in the Champagne. Admitting, as we
must, that the large centres of population
generate sefshness in all countries aud among
all peoples, it has still to be confessed that
there is something which divides the French
of the rural districts from the French of the
large cities which is not found in any other
country or among any other people. Since
the revolution of 1889 it has always been
found that the large cities were in
opposition to the existing government, and
that the peasantry were on its side. 1t was
so under the ancion RHYME; it was 20 under
Louis Philippe; it was so under Louis Ma
poleon; it is so under President Theirs. II
is safe to say that the large cities have made
the revolutions, and that so soon as the revo-
luton was over the strength of the new gov
eminent was found in the peasant classes. NJ.
Theirs discovered this to his cost in 1913; and
the one purpose 10 which he has revealed any
thing like commendable firmness is in keeping
the National Assembly and the government
out of Paris and away from the selfshness
and tyranny of the mob. The French peasant
who as a rule owns his little farm is frugal,
saving, timid. In all that concerns the rights
of property or the domestic duties he is tena-
cious, conservative. To him change is dan
gerous; war is ruin. Much as he loves France
he loves his farm and his home more. 1t is
quite otherwise with the Frenchman Of the
large centres of population. In the city the
individual is lost in the crowd. The vanity
of the one is magnifed into the vanity
of the many. The rights of the one
disappear in the rights Of the crowd,
and socialism, communism is the result.
Rashness takes the place Of caution. The
spirit Of destruction leaves no room for simple
personal acqusitveness. To the multitude in
Paris, in Lyons, in Marseilles proprietorship
is sin, and to level is duty
These things considered and properly under
stood, it is not difficult to see that, ii it can at
| all be accomplished, France would be more
effectively governed from some non-populous
centre than from Paris. II is well to observe
that this principle has been fully recognized
in the United States and in the New Doni-
Mon. Washington and Ottawa justify the
policy which NJ Theirs is pursuing. II is
doubtful whether NJ. Theirs will succeed II
is undeniable, however, that in nations where
universal suffrage prevails the government is
likely to be more safe. as well as more eff
cient and enduring, when removed from the ter
rorism inspired by mob. Some day France
must learn this lesson. Unless she learns it
il is not our opinion she can ever enjoy the
blessings OF republican institutions.