New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-06-15
MADNESS OF TIE COMMUNE.

Mr. Francisque Sarcey prOpOunds IN the
Gaulois theory intended to explain the out
break of March in Paris which is new only In
form and application. He says that the pOpu-
lation of the capital, as q result of the priva-
tons and the excitement of the siege, were at
tackled by a contagious mental alienation, I'M
der the influence of which they rushed into
all the extravagances of the revolt. 1t is, after
all, only q question Of definition 1t is not de-
MED that there have been seen several times
in the history of civilization instances of wide
spread epidemic of mental disorder, resulting
in deeds of cold bloOded cruelty which would
seem impossible in calmer times. The Maron-
lite massacres few years ago, were attrib-
uted to passing mania of this sort The in
stances of the COnvulsionnaires of st. Medard,
of those mysterious attacks of hystercal
chorea which ravaged the nunneries of the
South of France during the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries, and of that horrible
delusiOn of witchcraft which stains with so
indelible a stigma the early New-England his
tory, are all proofs incOntr0yertible OF the
power of mental diseases to sweep with a
rapid contagion over entire communities. The
behavior of the Communists was in many in
acter which naturally suggests some such ex
PLANTATION as that above mentioned. The set
ting up of Masonic embems on the ramparts,
the destruction of the Vend6me Column, the
murder of the ecc1esiastics, and finally the
burning of Paris, are not the acts of men In
the full enjoyment of their mental and moral
faculties.
One of the most curious manifestations of
the high-wrOught state of mind under which
the members of the Commune habitually Ia
bored, is seen in the debate which took place
at their last session upon the question of the
release or trial of Cluseret. The Commune
was already doomed. The forts on the south
side of the city were already lost, and the de-
Tense against Versailles was known to be hope
less. Every man in the committee room knew
that his hour had come; that not only his
cause but his life was judged and forfeit. Yet
the majority of them were as rigid and I'M
bending in what they imagined to be republican
discipline as if they were the acknowledged
arblters of recognized power. The Citizen
Wales was in the chair, supported by Citizen
COurbet as Assessor. Two or three members of
the Commune, among others the Journalist YER
mOrel in view of the fact that no definite charges
had been made against Cluseret, moved that
he be set at liberty. Felix Pyat, who was GER
tainly never deficient in energetic impulses
when they lead in the direction of illegality,
had logic enough left in his mind to see that
it was absurd to keep Cluseret in Jail when he
had done no wrong. But the Citizen Paschal
GrOusset-the most elegant IN dress and man
ner of all around the council board, man
whose gloves and cravats excited in peaceful
Ter times the ire and envy of his Bohemian
colleagues and gained him the name of the
petit crere of the Radical press-announced this
cool and ferocious creed of insurrectiOnary poll
ties: 81 think our present circumstances make a
military chief something of an outlaw. He must
"have at the same time very extended powers
"and a sentiment of absolute submission to
those who have c0ntided them to him. lie
Occupies an exceptional position which justl-
" fies toward him all sorts of distrust suryeil-
Glance, and preventive measures. In revou-
Z" tons it is not enough to dismiss Minister
"of War who loses your confidence. You
"must arrest him. Formerly, he was shot"
He then went on to state that the Citizen
Cluseret had promised in twenty-five or thirty
days to have force of 10000 men ready Tor
offensive operations; Therefore, when twenty
five days had passed, and this army was not
ready, the Commune arrested Gen. Cluseret.
The Citizen Frankel, the Prussian member oil
the Commune, who had been naturalized with
such 6clat few days before, agreed with
Grousset that incapacity wasa penal crime. BUTT
was left for the Citizen Andrieuto state the most
astounding thcorem of the republican system
as yet recorded. He said that i'll the arrest oil
Cluseret I" the Committee had 0beyed that re-
"publican and democratic sentiment which m
" sist5 that a man who has filled 80 important
81 post rs that of Minister of War should
" not be ailarmrd left 10 run at large This
IA "A sentiment not wi'hou. aualogics III his