New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-04-06

Of 81 VlUe la Repabltque p should have been
echoed with sympathetic thrill by all lovers
of liberty from one end of the world to the
other. Even many of the most patriotic and
advanced Germans expressed their hearty sym
pathy for the Republic, though crossing swords
at the same time with its legions. The fault
of the war was entirely laid on NAPOLEON
while the Republicans were greeted as natural
allies 1t is true they had not obtained their
liberty by their own exertens they had made
no sacrifice for it, In fact, they had hardly
lifted up finger to throw off the yoke of the
Second Empire; the Germans had done the
work as efficiently aud radically as ever work
OF liberation was DONE and to the French the
easy task was left of driving away sorke help.
less imperial officials, of decreeing the deche
ance, and of proclaining the Republic. 1t
was indeed the only course open to them, since
they could not have adhered to the fallen
criminal. without incurring the contempt and
ridcule OF the whole civilized world. Never
theless. they were aided and cheered as if they
themselves had achieved that victory. aud the
only question was. How will they work out their
destiny? Will they know this time how to
form true Republic that will be proof against
any attempt of usurpation?
In those days we, too, were enthusiastic. and
entertained sanguine hopes. 1t is consequently
with feelings Of deep regret that we look on
the spectacle of disastrous failure, and almost
feel like desparing of the fitness of the French
for self-government. 1t is true that the men
who constitute the regular Government are
doing their duty faithfully, but it seems doubt
full whether they will succeed to save the
Republic from the attempts of those Reds
who, while honestly protesting and believing
themselves true republicans, evince a spirit Of
lawessness and Intolerance which among U.s.
woald he considered anything but republican
A government, a constituent assembly elected
by the people, and not guilty of any reasonable
or tyrannical act, is rebelled against and the
national guards, Just those who are counted
OF the strongest supports Of republican gov
eminent, form the strength Of the instruction.
The soldiers of the regular army fraternze
/. with them assassinations have occurred and
bloody conflict seems inevitable, since the
Commune persists in its resistance. The mo-
ment is critical, and it is quite probable that
German assistance will be required for the sup
preston of the nsurrectiOn, since there APP
pears to be no organized military force ready
that could be trusted with the task 1t is very
comprehensive that the Government should
hesitate as long as possible before resorting to
such measure, account of the Odum
attached to it, however urgent the case may
be. The employment of foreign aid in civil
conflicts is always regarded by the people as a
deadly oi1ense, act Of treason which can
never be forgiven, and in case of failure would
certainly cost its orginators their heads. Ia
this instance the rage would be increased by
the bitter, intense hatred that the French
entertain against the Germans, as the authors
of their humiliation.
We recently pointed out the specific differ
ence between radical republcanism among US
and radical republcanism in France, in SO far
as our most radical men are also the most
rational, sighted and tolerant, while in
France republicanism will but too easily de
generate into Jacobinism and fanaticism. and
produce terror instead of liberty. Among US
it means order, with them it leads to disorder
There is another vital difference nearly related
to the other. Among us republicansm is
founded on feelings of philanthropy, Justice,
and benevolence, just as well as on reason.
The principle of bestowng equal rights on ALL
OF Offering to all the same facilities for the ac
QUESTION of knowledge. wealth, and influence
"a - l. II
ism does not stop there 1t is too intolerant,
too much mixed up with elements of hatred and
resentment One radical Journal openly advo
Gates political assassination. and another makes
war on property by raising the cry, I" Death to
the rich! which finds a hearty response from
the many thousands who think wealth and
poverty merely the result of perverse state of
society.
The fact is, republicanism in France is
tainted with communism, and communism
means not only the old hatred Of the poor
against the rich. but hatred of the ignorant
against the learned, Of the mediocre against the
gifted, against every kind of superiority and
against society in its present state A good,
eccentric friend of ours. one of the most honest
and respectable fanatics who ever walked on
earth, once in public convention created more
merrinent than Indignation by this startling
declaration q sm opposed to everything that
exists! !" Yet those words gave the very es.
sence of communism. Since equal rights and
equal facilities do neither bestOw equal gifts |
nor have the power of making people equally
industrious and aspiring communism with its
mania for leveling, wants to correct the inc |
quality arising from these causes by renumer-
ating labor not according to its intrinsic value |
to the world, or to the skill and intellect re-
quired for it, but according to the time spent
over it. He who devotes his life to discov-
cry or scientific investigation the solution of |
which will benefit all mankind, or who pro-
duces literary or artistic work that will be
the JOY of present and future generations, is |
not to obtain higher prize for his exertions
than those who spend their lives cutting stones
or sweeping chmneys. The theory is quite |
worthy of the brains of men whose gifts do not |
entite them to aspire for anything above chin
ney sweeping! Nevertheless do we hold COM |
munism entitled to fair play, as well as any |
other social theory, and have no objection to
raise if people want to experiment On it. pro. |
vided they keep within the limits of the law,
and do not attempt to dispossess by force those !
who are not yet ready to resign what :. eon. !