Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1874-05-28
ROCHEFORT.

ist at San Francisco has called forth q
number Of comments from the journals
OF the coast, most OF which are anything
but complimentary. In estimating the
character and career Of this remarkable
man, be must be regarded from two diff
ferent stand-points, one as journalist,
the other as a revolutionary leader. In
the former Rochefort stands pre-eminent
for boldness, ability and acrid satire.
His paper, La Lanterne, Was more feared
by the Napoleonic dynasty than all the
Red Republican clubs of Paris put to-
gether. He pitilessly excoriated and
exposed the brilliant sham presented by
the Government: Of the late Emperor,
and, worse still, mercilessly ridi-
culed it. Now, there is no ma
ton on earth that is more exquis-
itely sensitive to ridicule than the
French. With them, when an oppo-
nent is made ludicrous, he is worse than
vanquished-he is a laughing stock.
Rochefort, we'll knowing this popularity
OF his countrymen, used it as an engine
to bring the Government OF Napoleon
into disrepute, and succeeded so well as
to rouse its bitterest enmity, and caused
it to suppress his journal and prosecute
him. He thus became power, celeb
rity, possessing and using his wonderful
powers of sarcasm without the slightest
repugnance, and of which he availed
himself in making the Government ludi-
crous. He succeeded so well that, in its
rage, it so far forget itself as to perse-
cute and make martyr of its assailant.
That was all Rochefort wanted, and at
once placed him on the pinnacle of fame
and popularity, which his unquestion.
able abilities and requirements well en-
abled him to sustain and increase. So
much for the journalistic side, but as to
his connection with the Commune, it is
difficult to tell the motives which made
him an actor in that sanguinary struggle,
the lurid flames of which serve rather
to obscure than reveal the real
features and causes of that remarkable
episode OF the Franco-German war.
Rochefort would seem to have far too
much sound sense to imagine that a
conflict of the character it Immediately
assumed, would be likely to be success
full. But it may be, that led on by ambi-
ton and blinded by a mad frenzy caused
by the terrible misfortunes that had af-
hcted France, he thought the time had
come for the revival of the days of '93,
when the Committee of Public Safety at
once suppressed the Vendeean insurrec-
ton at home, and abroad held the COM
bned forces of Monarchial Europe at
bay. Perhaps he thought that the spiri,
of those days had returned, and he
longed to be another Caruot, and organ
ize victory. The result we all know
bloodshed, misery and desolation, will
the infection of deeper wounds on tn
country which they rrofessed so well t.
love- 1t should though be remembered
that the excuses Of the Commune wert
supplemented by the cold-blooded execu
tons of the Versailists, until it is diff
cult to tell which were the most sanguiu
airy and revolving. One excuse perhaps
might be pleaded for the Communists
that they were insane or in frenzy Of
fury caused by hopeless despair. 1hi
would be entirely lacking on the othe
side. For after the heat of the struggl,
was over, hundreds and hundreds o
lives were sacrificed under sort o
mockery of justice, proceeding tina
can neither be palliated or defended. Il
conclusion, without in the slightest de
gree extenuating or excusing whateve
crimes Rochsfort may be guilty of,
should be recollected that he is now al
exile and a fugitive, and while on tn
soil of the United States as a politics
refugee, is entitled to forbearance, an
that it is scarcely generous to be HAIRS
to the fallen, or to add additional poil
nancy to sufferings that must already /
severe.