New-York tribune., 1874-05-30
A FRENCH REPUBLICAN.

pion of Republican ideas
II nav be something TO say that the wlttiest city
In the world crowned him its wittest citizen IL
NAV be something TO say that we must go back TO
Voltaire to find his equal even in Paris, as current
satirist. 1t may be worth while to recall the Hash
ef his talents in the tenebrous times of the Second
Empire 1t may be worth while to recall the extra
ordinary sensation made in Paris by each issue OF
his successive journals when the Figaro, the Lam
feyne and the Maroiia.e were the talk of the town
and the farore of the day.
But above all, let those of us who have any vitai
faith in Republican principles and Democratic deas
give honor and praise to Rochefort for his heroic
attitude maintained through seven years. when con-
fronting the Empire in defense of those regeneralve
principles and ideas 1t seems TO me that II was Pc
rularly striking impressive and noble. The blan-
dishrnents of imperialism never seduced HIN. The
nenaces of power never terrified him. The
srdinary temptations ef life. which destroy so many
men who "run well for tme," as st. Paul says,
never affected him.
This is not the language Of rhetorical exaggera-
fion The Emperor. who admired literary brliiancy,
did try to seduce Rochefort, and offered him tempta-
tions which only high sense of honor could have
overcome The Emperor, who feared the effect OF
Rocheforts assaults, did constantly keep him aware
Of the dangers of his position, and compelled him
once and again to realize the power and range OF
stand before him, with their solicitations to take
such ground as would give them the opportunity of
signazing his name. But none Of these things ever
reached the heart of this faithful or led him to
bow the knee to Baal. None of them ever made HIM
sbate one jot of that Republcanism to which hehad
ronsecrated his wits and his life He was ready to
meet all enemies, from Pierre Bonaparte to Paul
Cassagnac in single combat; he ready to lie in
prison as sufferer for his principles; he was ready
ntfa linz
the funeral of Victor Noir he ready to operate
from Brussels when driven out of Paris; he was no
less ready to take his place in the Assembly at Paris
or Bordeaux and equally ready to become a member
of the Republican Government of National Defense,
if no he could serve liberty, He was always ready,
nnder every circumstance, to make every sacrifice
and take every risk though, like Millions Abdel, he
might stand alone.
Are these things of no accountf Is not this man
worthy of honori Is it becoming in those who
really believe in vital Republicanism to slight such
servicesi Is it worthy of American newspapers to
misrepresent the facts of such 4 career
Let me ask who among those in this country that
malIgn him has done much for republican hbertyf
Who among them has thus confronted despotism
nmid such perilsi Who among them has resisted
euch seductions Who among them has shown
equal nonchalance in offering himself sacrifice for
his ldeas' need not ask who among them possesses
his ilashing intellect or his pungent wit
lam not surprised at the enthusiastic eulogies be-
slowed on him by Victor Hugo, or at the generous
affection entertained for him by Gambetta.
"Aristocratc " by birth and genius, be took mp tho
cause of the suppressed masses. man of the
snbtlest tastes in all the ways of life connosseur
IN art and lover of refined luxury, he vet placed
him self on the side of those who are uncultured
and hard-handed.
But then Rochefort left Bordeaux for Paris to
assist the Commune and then and there started
his last journal. the Mot dOrdrei Yes, trembling
brethren, he did! The narrowing fact must alas be
Acknowledged. And ouly hope, brethren. that you
know lust what the Commune was-just what ITS
constructive ideas wcrejust " hat constitutes the
difference between political Communism and pc
cnniary C0mmunsm-just what ground Rochef0rt
took at that time and why he left Paris when about
20 be arrested If you happen TO have clear and true
information on these points, your knowledge will
assist your reason in forming judgment concerning
them But | sincerely hope that you did not get
your IDEAS from the tyrans OF Europe" the bloody
handed butcher Of Versailles. or the mole-noSed
newspapersof this country.
Let me briefly say, then, in conclusion, that Henri
Rochefort, Count de Lucay, has merited honor from
the American friends of liberty as the true-sOuled
bigh-hearted champion of Repubhcanism i'll
France-as the journalist who was feared but
could not be purchased by the French despot-as
the man who prepared the way and prepared the
people for the Republic, and who. when that Re
pubic had been seized by hvpocritical hands, was
imprisoned, banished, and cruelty maltreated
tboreby. JOHN S"INlON
Nor- Y01 May %, 1874.
IrE ESCAPE OF THE EXILES.
The Sydney, N 5. W., correspondent of The
Atq California furnishes that Journal with the follow
ing information:
The escape OF ROcbcfort and his corfreres
ported in his city on te Eh March by telegram from
consisting OF HEM RIchciOft, ex member OF the Gov
eminent OF National Defense; Paschai Grousset, CN
Minister OF Foreign Affairs Francis Joarde exMpister
OF F,nauer; Olivier Pam. eX-secretary OF Foreign
Affair."; Achi'c BaieIe, ex-ald-de-camp to General
BosseI aud Csveu Grant AchiiC oX-Comndndint OF
thr National Guard. left NcwCledJnil siX days pre-
rionsly in tic bark 2. G. T., ana had a splendid run
ac!oss. Taeir e'cap' was ARRANGED by Joardc aud
Baliee. who permitted % reside IN k9ru2ea and
they took the others away from PennsGla Dncos to
the ship the captain OF which s sild 10 have Oeen
heavily erioed to sohaNe a. tneie pelhg s'C%TH
away in the he sI nIG o, lhey sc, are r,corS e eaay
tina, might i;np.icate others and it Is rerored h9t
the only journal nk'y to obtain any details IRON ths
Is Ie Nerfor. Herald, Bennett having some time az,
special dent to report upon Communist
lished here Il that WIEN the escapes knew from
the he@yine Of the SHIP that she was cut OF iLc
When they presented themselves suddenly, the
captain had some m!seiyings that their design
state from RcCEeiyrt. who tod the captain that
they we're SIMPLY excs trying to make their escape
they gave assumed. Rocheiort. who Is OF noble
family, has several surnaues one Of which he 10
the captain ie he appOIoned Others ofhs suiGames
among his fellow exies Who acting on his suggestion,
gave them Ia their own.
importance rank Of the exes till after they had
a. yea for esy ne In aS9sery g, oGs & fSe @ n
tain came across tbe portraits OF NJ Gsmbetts and NJ
seSns Dtien.e he was a, once struck ny
the likeness ,. Of Que OF nh his ss passenger t.
hled ne (h4DChefOTt