The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-28

Court-that noble bulwark Of our rights and
liberties-has taken such stand against the
encroachment Of federal power at q time when
both Congress and the administration are
initiating the despotic governments Of Europe
and of past age. Our rulers have become
80 accustomed to governing by the sword-to
centralized despotism during and since the
war-that they lose sight of the constitu-
ton. The shoulder-s.rap rule of West
Point still runs through the government.
Coercion is the word, not amnesty, not con-
Citation, which the radical party and the
administration dwell upon. Not only do they
for party and political purposes hold the sword
over the South and keep that section of our
common country in disorder, but they invade
the rights Of the loyal States, and send with
out cause or reason federal bayonets to con-
troll the polls. In fact, the radicals never did
understand the theory or principle Of our gov
eminent, and the practice Of arbitrary power
during the war has so utterly demoralized
them that Improvement is hopeless. The
decision Of the Supreme Court comes very
opportunity to check the despotio and CEN
tralizing tendencies Of the party in power,
and we have no doubt it will be cordially
approved by the mass Of the American people.
The War Against the Rcds-Larest News
from Paris and Versailles.
Our latest dispatches from the seat of war
are dated from Versailles yesterday and from
Paris on the evening of the 9th. There is
but little change in the situation TO record. A
heavy fire is maintained against Forts dIssy
and de vavores, which reply in very feeble
manner. They will soon be reduced to silence,
for many of their guns have been dismounted
and serious injury has been inflicted upon the
works. Some thousands Of the government
troops have executed important movements on
the north of Paris A force had attempted to
cross the bridge thrown over the Seine to
Clichy, but were frustrated by the promptness
of the insurgents 1t is stated from Paris that
the refusal Of the Germans to give up the forts
they still hold is regarded with great satisfac-
ton by the Commune. A formation of battalions
of loyal National Guards at St. Denis is re-
ported, and gendarmes are becoming numer-
Gus there. Several arrests of Communists
have taken place at the outposts of Yer
sailles. Some fighting had been going on in
the direction of Bas Meudon, the insurgents
service of the Commune had been disabled
and was kept adoat with much difficulty. The
buttes of Montmartre are being heavily for
tilted. 1t is acknowledged that the southern
forts are badly damaged. Shells are still
falling within the city, and great many peo-
pie are being killed and wounded. The Com
munists report several minor successes, but
not much reliance can be placed upon their
assertions. Discussions are breaking out
among the members of the Commune. The
last stand of the insurgents will be made
in the Rues Rivoli aud de Castiglione,
in the immediate vicinity of the Place Ven
dome. The government is unable to pay the
first instalment of the indemnity long since
due. A despatch from Berlin of yesterdays
date says that Prince Bismarck has instructed
General Fabrice to inform the Commune that
in the event of any mishap to the Archbishop
Of Paris the Germans will probably intorforo Ia
the affairs of Paris in favor Of the government.
The above summary Of news shows, we think,
that if the surrender of the insurgents is much
longer delayed the bombardment and assault
viii certainly be made. The thorough invest
ment of the city, the progress of the siege
operations, the bombardment of the southern
forts and portions Of the city, all continue
with undated vigor. The Communists are
within the strong grasp of the government,
which will only be frightened more and more
until the instruction is squeezed into surren-
der. The government will soon cease to prac-
tice forbearance, and we may hear of the COM
mencement of the great movement against
Paris at any moment