The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-02

how various are the opinions entertained Of
him in America The Brooklyn Bayl, in an
elaborate and able article reviewing IL, COM
pares the author to Wendell Phillips. and gives
him position in France akin 10 that OF Mr.
Phillips in America The Brooklyn onion,
on the other hand, regards him as a
mere ''disturber of the public peace" fiery
revolutionist" who will 60 to Geneva
to 'fraternize with General Cluseret"
and the Commune exiles In Swi,zer-
land 1t is not surprising perhaps that
there should be opinions 30 Numerically
opposite in dealing with man as well known
as NJ. Rochetort For, although for some
years one of the famous men Of the world, we
are apt to make an estimate of foreigners,
from what we know OF them, but from what
other people say Of them. M. Rochefort
does not occupy the position of Mr.. Phillips.
The American allied himself to the extreme
radical party of the country on the question
of slavery; but unlike his French proto-
type, on oil other questions he has been
among the most conservative Of citizens.
Mr.. Phillips never led a party that could be
called more than a fragment. Rochefort,
at one time, was the leader of large, agrees
sive party, and he has never ceased to have an
influence over it.
While it is o mistake to regard NJ. Roche
fort as one of those pure, unbending dew
otees to an idea, who follow it through good
report and bad report to victory, in spite ofpub-
lie opinion, disregarding the threats and bland
ishments of power, Jealous in defeat and disap-
pointment, apostles Of . new gospel, it is like
wise mistake to compare him to men of the
type of Marat, who love blood with the tiger
instinct and only see liberty in anarchy
| and chaos. NJ. Rochefort is a creation of the
Empire. His literary character was marked
during the Empire. He might have shown
complaisance towards Napoleon like Saint
Beuve and Gautier, and yet he would have been
very celebrated man. For no Frenchman
peculiar gifts of Rochefort the purity
of style, the exquisite irony and mockery
which marked many of the numbers Of the
Lanternc and of his earlier writings,
and which were shown in q remarkable
degree in the letter to the HERALD. Roche
fort as literary man would have had high
rank; but his real power came when he allied
literature to politics Gambetta became fam
Gus in day by saying aloud about Napoleon
what the radical mind of France was think
ing. Rochefort won renown in morning by
writing the same thing. He was like Camille
Desmoulins, and it was his mission to make
the Empire and the whole Bonaparte system
detested. How he did it the world knows, for
the world will not soon forget the extraordi-
nary ability, severity and license of his
work. Nothing more severe was said about
Napoleon than some of our jour-
nails have said about General Grant
But here we are accustomed to say
what we please. In France you could only
praise the Emperor or preserve silence.
Rochefort was the first to break this legend,
and the power which he summoned into life
became terror to him. Suddenly he found
himself at the head of great party, cabinet
minister and member of the Assembly. Sim
ply literary man, with odd political con-
victions, he was called upon to be states
man. From the time this duty fell to him
he became anxious, timid reluctant, dreading
the responsibilities and cares of power-a
gypsy suddenly called to life of disci pline
sacrifice and compromise 80 that his
writings became conservative and formal
He tolerated the Commune, hoped much from
it, but never supported it. What influence
he had with the leaders was exerted in favor
of mercy and moderation. His course SO dis
pleased the Commune that he finally ran
away from Paris to avoid arrest. But he was
arrested by the government. The Bonapart-
lists remembered the Larterne, and they sent
him to New Caledonia
We make this statement in justice to M.
Rochefort, and in order that our readers may
fully understand the meaning OF his manifesto.
As the Brooklyn Eagle we'll says s'Rochefort
is man with clear, distinct, defined pur-
pose, and faith in that purpose" and that sit
is a mistake to sheer at the importance
attached to him as it was to sneer at the
Importance of the early fanaticism Of our own
abohtonists, Garrison and John Brown"
Having said this, it remains for us to say
further that the party which M. Rochefort
represents is not the party which can find
sympathy in America. This may, perhaps
arise from our inability to comprehend
its exact relations to France, but it
seems clear that he does not show us the
true road to republicanism. We cannot
comprehenda genuine republican party formed
upon the sentiments he expresses There is q
bitterness Of tone, savage, implacable hatred,
which forebode vengeance as severe as that
visited upon Archbishop Darboy should he
and his friends regain power. This is GER
tainly not the way to build republic. 'Dost
thou well to be angry2" it is asked in the
Scriptures and the response is II do WELL"
But il is not well in any leader or