The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-16
The Condition or France md tho Move
ments of the Are.

ana people from all parts OF the woriu, VINO
have been in Paris, that centre OF fashion,
art, taste, science, luxury aad pleasure, or
| who have seen the beautiful and rich country
| which furnishes the world with wine, the finest
manufactures and the choicest pro luctions Of
every kind. Yes, even many Of the cultivated
Germans, who used to 60 by thousands to that
gay capital and that sunny land for pleasure,
appear to sympathize with the French in their
terrible misfortune, Notwithstanding the pre-
JUDGES the war has evoked and the glory it
has achieved for Germany. Still this is, for
the most part, a barren and selfish sympathy,
that springs more from what these swarms Of
pleasure-seekers lose than sorrow for the
French people. With the exception of the
proletaire class-the masses-in Europe and
the liberal, advanced thinkers Of that CONT
nent, there is little real sympathy among
the rest for the French in their struggle
for national integrity and the establishment of
republican institutions. The gay, fashionable
and titled Of all European nations who invaded
France as pleasure seekers would rather see
the empire or monarchy restored than the
republic established. The monarchs, aris.o-
cracies, privileged classes and the press of
Europe generally are inimical to the republic.
Some of our tult-hunting and degenerate
Americans abroad even join the hue and cry
against republican France. But this great
republic of the United States and every true
American, as well as the masses Of Europe,
sympathize SINGER ly with the French in their
Off iot.o md ~ 4ho;r 10
| lican freedom.
Certainly France is in deplorable condi-
ton. This, the proudest nation of Europe,
and but recently the arbiter in great measure
Of its destnies, has been conquered and
humiliated in a manner that no other great
nation has in modern times. Its splendor and
prestige vanished like the mist before the sun
| in few weeks. The empire, which kept the
European nations in a state Of watchful appre-
hension, proved to be rotten at the core and
pricked the bubble. The sudden breaking
up of the government with the loss
of its armies, vast materials of war,
fortresses almost impregnable and two of the
fairest provinces of France, together with the
capture of Paris and war indemnity of
thousands of millions of francs were enough
to PROSTATE the nation, and, at the same time
to arouse the passions of the people. Still,
while enduring these disasters, the French
showed their ancient and characteristic hero
ism. Though in the coils of that fearful
military anaconda with which Germany bound
them, the Parisans fought bravely, skilfully
and long, even when there was little hope.
The improyised republican government-the
only possible one at the time-reyived the
hopes Of the people that brighter futdre was
before them, and that with the fall of the
empire under such load Of disgrace they
might acquire republican freedom. Then the
imperialists and monarchists of all shades
began TO raise their heads and to plot for the
overthrow Of the republic. These movements,
together with the election OF NJ. Thiers-who
had been nearly lifelong monarchst-as
President aroused the ardent republicans of
Paris and other large cities. They had been
80 often cheated by those in authority that
they feared they were going to be betrayed
again. This apprehension, and the failure to
obtain municipal selfgovernment at once,
which they regarded as the basis Of republican
institutions, led to the frightful civil
war in Paris. They made fatal mistake.
They committed great crime in shedding so
much blood and in their other acts of Vandal-
ism when there was no real cause for sus-
picion, and when nothing would justify such
atrocities. They brought out from the dens
and dark recesses of Paris the criminal classes,
and made them their allies in the work of de-
struction.
But the Commune Of Paris has been sup
pressed. Let us throw Q veil over the bloody
horrors Of a struggle in which those who
fought for the Versailles government were as
cruel as their adversaries. Let us look at the
actual state Of things, now that these horrors
are ended. While we think the Theirs gov
eminent should be censured for the vindictive
and cruel spirit it manifests at the poor, de-
luded wretches who fought with the Commune,
there is much to hope from the firm attitude it
has taken with regard to maintaining the
public The rightful conduct of the Com
mune, or Parisians, has not turned NJ. Theirs
from his purpose of maintaining the republic,
and, if we can rely upon the news,
from removing the government to Paris.
This shows that he feels strong in
his position, and is resolved to carry out
his policy. The whole tenor of the news we
have been receiving from France confirms the
impression that he will honestly maintain the
republic, if that be possible. The latest tele-
graphic despatch from Versailles, which we
publish to-day in another part of the paper,
says that the manifesto Of the Deputies of the
Left against the intrigues Of the monarchists
is generally approved, though the radical
address to the electors of Paris creates bad