The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-06

Is q republican government in France pos
sible? Can aud will NJ. Theirs honestly make
the experiment? These questions are in the
minds of people everywhere. OF course they
can only be answered speculatively, and
almost every one will endeavor to reason
them ont according to the bias of his mind or
wishes-the monarchist or imperialist arguing
against the probability of establishing re-
public and the hopeful republican in favor.
From our Independent position we can take
more impartial and broader view OF the mat
ter than the people Of France or of Europe,
who are partially blinded by their prejudices
and the passions which the extraordinary
events Of the time have evoked.
A republic in France is possible, and, judg
ing from existing circumstances that form Of
government is as likely to be established as
either monarchy under the old Bourbon line,
or Orleauists, or the empire under regency
or the restoration of Napoleon. The very
rivalry of the different asprants for the throne,
especially that between the Bourbons and the
Bonapartists, will conduce to the establish
ment of republic. If M. Theirs honestly
desires to give the republican government
fair trial-and he has emphatically declared
that to be his intention-the conflict and plot
tings of the royalists and imperialists will aid
him in that object. Their divisions and rival
claims would strengthen his hands. The mass
of the people would prefer, no doubt, to see
the existing republican government perpet-
uated than to run the risk of more changes,
| and, in the end probably, of more bloody revo-
lutions.
While we and the civilized world have con-
demned the Commune of Paris for making
war on the republican government chosen
by the nation, and for its deeds Of
atrocty and Vandalism, we do not
lose sight of the fact that to
certain extent it was contending for sound
principle of government. The Parisians were
aware that the inherent evil of all the govern
ments Of France, under the empire, monarchy
or republic was excessive Capitalization, and
that this led in turns to despotism aud bloody
revolutions. To cure this they claimed local
self-government as far as this could be COM
patible with unity and proper strength in the
central government. They wanted municipal
and local privileges similar to those we enjoy
and that are enjoyed in great measure in
England. They understood that these made
the sursst foundation Of liberty that expert
ence had proved them to be so, and that
there was no hope of decentralizing the gov
eminent Of France ia any other way Unfor-
tunately the leaders of the Commune did not
contne themselves to this simple object, but
brought into the foreground in connection
with that their dangerous theories for the re-
construction of society which threaten the
rights Of property and Of individuals. 1t is
but fair to say, however, that the revolution
lists of the Commune were more moderate
and did not go SO far in this respect rs the
revolutionists Of 1913, or as some of those Of
$780, who declared all property theft. With
al the Vandalism there was not that rampant
socialism and communism which characterized
former revolutions.
Then, the Parisians in the late frightfu
struggle dstrusted the Versailles government
OF NJ. Theirs. They remembered the many
times they had been cheated by their leaders,
by the Bonapartes and the monarchists in dis
guise, and how they had been slaughtered like
cattle in the coups dftat of usurpers. Smart
ing under the terrible humiliation of the Prus-
sian war Napoleon had brought upon them-a
war which the democrats of Paris and the
men of the Commune opposed-they were not
willing to trust the ancient minister Of Louis
Philippe man whom they believed to be
monarchist at heart. They were apprehensive
that he wond sell them out to the monarchy or
empire again. Hence their clamor for local
self-government, the control of the national
guard, and the removal of the government
from Versailles to Paris. 1t should be
borne in mind, too, that the largest
part Of the people who fought SO heroically in
Paris belonged to the respectable and indus
trious classes. OF course great many of the
scum Of society came to the surface, as they
do on all such occasions, TO take part in the
fight, but the bulk of those who fought were
not robbers or murderers. The mass were
contendiug for principle, however mistaken
they might have been and however much their
conduct deserves condemnation. NJ. Theirs
had promised to be true to the republic,
and the Parsians ought to have tested his
sincerity before making war on his govern
ment
We think it is in the power of NJ. Theirs to
establish republic in France. The monarch
cal and imperialist factions contending with
each will, as we have said, rather assist him
than not, if that be his object The Commune
is no obstacle now. Indeed, if he shonld be
wise and patriotic enough to throw overheard
the monarchsts and imperalists, and should
make determined effort to establish the repub-
lie the Parisians who have been fighting
against his government would probably
rally to support him. A republic in
France has never had fair trial!