Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-05-27
ono or tho esTScd, Lendcrn.

One of the Cred" Lenders.
Bergeret who has offlciated in Paris as q
leader and general of the Commune" is a fair
specimen of the red anarchists. He is probably
better In personal character than most of them;
but, in religion and politics, he is like the rest,
and represents faithfully the thought, feeling
and purpose of the whole mad movement He
claims, and truthfully, it appears, that the red
rebellion was organized by himself, Duval and
Eudes, and that they have been potent in direct
ing its operations. Bergeret has several times
engaged freely in conversations which have been
reported. He always speaks freely, and expresses
his opinions and aims without hesitation. The
red politics, according to his report, consist
chiefly of a stubborn determination not to SUBJ
mitto any authority whatever. All France must
submit to the red leaders and be governed as
they direct. They rejected the national assem-
bly, because they could not control it. They
will rebel against the result of any election
which does not place them in power. Being
anarchists in politics, they are naturally coarse
inhdels and blasphemers in religion. Here is a
passage from one of the conversations in which
Bergeret expressed his views on this subject
QUESTION-Do you DelleVe IN OOdE
BERGERET-No.
QUEsTIoN-Why?
observation-disclosures it is not republican. Be
cause, if there were a God, he would be tyrant
l fight God in the universe as / did the empire
in France. 1t is the one-man power, the pOuu0l
personnel of Napoleon Ill. Ii there were such
place as heaven, and went there and found
God would Immediately commence throwing
up barricades | would hoist the red flag.
would rebel. 1t is contrary to justice, il is con
trary to reason, it is contrary to right that an!
one should govern the many-that there shoulc
be a God.
QUEsTIoN-What do you substitute for God
BERGERET-Universal harmony.
QUEsTIoN-What do yOu mean by that?
BERGERET-The union of everything that eX-
lists in one harmonious whole Man, animals,
flowers plants, trees stars planets-eVerYthing
Observation-Disclosures the universe itself?
BERGERET-YeS.
QUESTIONABLE this universe or universal
harmony, as you call it, create itself?
BERGERET-Ah, that is a question cannot
answer. It's something the human mind can
not grasp; probably because we lack faculty.
As a person who is born blind cannot compre-
bend light, so we cannot understand the Crea-
ton. could ask you as well who created God,
and you would probably give me the same an
swer Try to think it ont and you will 20 crazy.
Observation-Disclosures, at this limit of the hu-
man understanding there is barrier which you
call universal harmony, whereas we call it God?
BERGERET-That is my meaning exactly.
Belief in God sis not republican," according
to these men. This belief involves the admis-
sion of responsibility to a divine government;
and these reds spurn all government, human or
divine, excepting such as they may see fit to de-
cree. Their republicanism means anarchy man.
aged by means of a mob from the slums of
Paris, and they have now succeeded to make
never had the faintest conception of what
actual republicans mean by free institutions.
All they know of republicanism begins and
ends with a fierce impulse to hoist
the red flag, throw up barricades, and rebel
against government, laws and order, in heaven
and earth To be republican in their fashion,
one must have a chronic tendency, and even
eagerness, to be ruled by this impulse. We can
now have no difficulty in seeking to understand
why all the sudden and violent revolutions pro-
dueed in Paris by men of this class have failed
to establish republic, but on the contrary,
have invariably made a great majority of the
people willing to accept rigid despotisms which
could defend them against anarchy.
Bergeret announces that he will leave France
forever, if this red instruction shall be defeated
Perhaps he will be unable to get away. His ca
reer is more likely to be ended in different
manner. Butt would be great gain to France,
if he and all such as be should leave the coun-
try and never return. 1t is not likely, however,
that any other country can be found which
would rejoice to receive them. If they could all
be settled together in some desert island of the
ocean, and left TO carry out their views in their
own way, they would doubtless fight and de-
stroy each other until the island would
become again as desert as they found
it. And the world would be greatly improved
by their taking OFF" At any rate, their utter
defeat, which is now well nigh completed, must
destroy their influence and make them incap-
able Of repeating their crimes with much effect.
They have never before been defeated so terri
bly,. Usually, their rebellions have been sue
cessful for time. Never on any previous occa-
sion have they made such an effort to succeed,
or been supported by such military force or
such unlimited command of arms. This defeat
brushes them and leaves France free from the
influence which has heretofore compelled her to
seek order and safety in despotism.