The New York herald., 1871-03-30
France-Hcr Situatiou--Iho Eeisn Of Terror
Against the Reign of Law.

Against the Reign OF Law.
Our news of this morning does not in any
material sense differ from the news Of any
day during the last three or four weeks. The
Atlantic Cable is doing more justice to Franco
than France is doing to herself. The Atlantic
Gable has a purpose, and is consistent. France
has no purpose, and is not consistent But
facts must be looked at. What then, are the
facts9 Paris claims to be France; hence the
unm' stakable gain to the ''reds." We are
told that the Commune has been proclaimed
in the Place de rHotel de Vile that men,
bers of the Communal Council spoke from
platform covered with red cloth; that the
speeches were inaudible, and that the red
a flourish of bayonets, by the firing Of
sixty guns and certain salvos of artillery.
The Paris elections have most unques-
tionably-because very small number Of
electors have exercised their rights-resulted
in favor of the communists. One Paris paper
Others speak differently. The fact, however,
clearly remains, that the s'reds" are masters
of Paris.
1t is gratifying to know that the principles
of disorder are not fully endorsed by the
French people. The National Assembly at
Versailles remains true to its trust, and up to
the present moment we have no reason to say
that the Assembly and the government of M.
Theirs are not equal to the situation. .The
government has issued D proclamation In
which it :-.'France is rallying to the
support of the national cause. The continued
occupation of French territory by the Germans
is due to the insurgents. The government has
temporized with insurrection because the gov
ernment has wished 10 avoid the shedding of
blood" Good and noble words! We have
blamed the Assembly and NJ. Theirs, with his
| associates, for inaction; but if M. Theirs will
show good reason for his policy we shall not
be the last to praise him and wish
him success. 1t was our opinion
and we stated it-that if N. Theirs
had dealt more determinedly against
the Montmartrists and the Rslleville
crowd, it would to-day have been better for
the whole French nation. If the Assembly
stands by the chief Of the executive, and if
the government asserts itself and restores
order we shall be glad to retract and to give
to the cause Of order what help we can. Our
news shows that out of Paris the insurrection-
ary elements have been put down. Order, in
most Of the populous centres, has been re-
stored. In Lyons aud elsewhere the sensi-
sible classes have rallied around the represen-
tatives Of law, and the s'reds" in Paris, who
have given way to violence and the spirit Of
cruelty, are even now trembling in their boots.
If there is anything clear about the situa-
ton in France it is that Terror is opposed
to Law. OF course it must be admitted that
this statement is especially applicable to
Paris. Paris, however, has in all the past
been France. What wins in Paris will
win in Lyons and Marseilles. In the
large towns the mob rules. If Paris can hold
on in spite Of the government at Versailles,
the large towns viii to dead certainty
go with Paris. The proposal of the official
journal of the Central Republican Committee
!. ,,.lat there should be drawn up new charter,
which will prevent the large cities being
swamped by the rural voters, 5sows 5sssoows that the
''reds" are already in despair, and that they
are prepared to resort to any violence, to the
most reactioaary measures, rather than lose
the opportunity which they think they have
found. If Paris can hold out, if there be any
sympathetic show in the other large cities,
the natural result would be the Inauguration of
the Reign of Terror. The idle and the hungry
in such case will prey upon the owners of
property, there will be no end of stealing
and if the guillotine cannot be made as
serviceable as it was in 1894 the midnight
.fusi1ades and noyGdes may be found useful
Why all this trouble should have arisen in
circumstances so unfavorable for the carrying
out Of any levelling purposes is question for
the philosophers rather. than for the news
papers. ii Is possible that sentiments
which smouldered under the empire, which
found feeble expression after Sedan, which
were timid at the late election for the National
Assembly, have at last found themselves
stronger than all restraining barriers. 1t is
possible that the National Assembly, which is
very nearly two-thirds monarchical, has sur
prised and exasperated the populous centres,
and compelled them to think of principle
rather than patriotism. 1t is possible, too.
that the government of M. Theirs, by its mac
ton and the unmistakable absence of any
policy, has contributed to bring about the pre-
sent state of things. But whatever the cause.
the facts are before us, and must be looked in
the face. Our opinion is that universal suf-
frage is curse to France, because the French
first great revolution France has had no back
bone of strength. The revolution killed the
aristocracy, or rather the solid land owners,
and as there were no States system or NUM-