The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-26
THE LEADERS OF THE. PARIs REDS.

THE LEADERS OF THE. PARIS REDS.
From the N. Y. Herald
Since the Republic was proclaimed on the
fourth day of last September the changes
which have taken place throughout France,
and espe cially in Paris, are such as excite
wonder and attract attention. The men who
in the young days of the new republic occu-
pied the leading positions, whose appeals
exercised an influence over the populace and
whose republicanism was never for moment
doubted have nothing to do with the men
who now bid defiance to the government of
which M Theirs is the chosen head. During
the long days of the siege of Paris, while
Prussia held the capital Of France within its
iron grip, these men, or the most of them, al
least, employed their time not in strengthen
ing the hands of the government by the en-
forcement of discipline and the development
of the military qualities of the National Guard,
but by encouraging the spread of demoraliza-
tion among the troops, oultivating dissensions,
and preparing the minds of those who were
foolish enough to be influenced by them for
their grand scheme Of the establishment of
the Commune. The republic was not sufi-
GENTLY liberal for them-they wanted some
thing more than what justice would sanction
or honest dealing between man and man
would warrant in enforcing. Perhaps no
better answer can be given to the question
of why the army of Paris was not able to cut
the line of the Prussian Investment that can
be deduced from the dissensions which now
| exist, not only between the leaders of the re-
| public and the chiefs of the Commune, but
which actually exist in the ranks of the Reds
even now while fighting the republic for the
idol of their own creation. The chief men OF
the Commune, the leaders of the Reds, are
heretics from the republic radical in then
sentiments, impressed by one idea and that
one which suggests a dangerous and an un
wholesome doctrine.
Among the noted if not the most promi
nent of the Reds of Paris previous to the wa
with Prussia was Gambetta, q man of won
derful energy, good talents, and remarkable
ability for organization. These qualities h,
showed after his aerial trip from Paris to tn,
provinces. The influence welded by this maj
throughout the whole nation, outside of th,
capital, up to the close of the war; was pow
erful; but when hoslilities ceased he who OK
ercised the power of dictator almost fel
completely out of sight. Other men came t.
the surface-men of experience and ability
such as Theirs, Fayre, and others we Nigh
name. Peace was restored, and the prospect
Of France began to grow brighte
until the cloud of Commu nism il
Paris rose to obscure it. From heated
argument in the National Assembly a
Bordeaux and extravagant editorial
in the radical journals of Paris, conducted b
such men as Rochefort, Valiant, and others
the opposition of the Reds settled down int
a recourse to arms in order to enforce thei
doctrine not only in the capital but all owe
France. Communism, which up to this tim
had been but theory, now shaped itself int
dreadful reality. Men were not slow eithe
in choosing sides. Those who desired tn
welfare of France, who longed to see he
free, who wished her prosperity, and sighe
for the day when she would again tax
her position among the nations of Europe
resolved to stand by the republic which wa
proclaimed in September, and duly sustaine
by the country when Nj. Theirs was electe
the executive head of the nation; while, O.
the other hand, those who had little to los
and were animated by belief in a form O
government which has few qualifications I
recommend it, and which by thinking peopl
was and is considered impracticabIe, raise
the blood red flag of the Commune, and hav
endeavored to enforce its principles on th
people of France. The fruits of the diffei
ences between the Republicans and the Con
munists are already plainly to be seen. tn
nation is retrograding instead of advancing
| Capital is scared from the country, industrie