New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-09-06
THE FRENCH CRISIS.

the FRENCH CRISIS.
Unhappy is that country whose liberty de-
pends upon the life of single man. Inc AL
ministratIon journals of France welcome the
death of cx-Prcsldcnt Theirs as sure to BRING
n Ministerial triumph. The DISAGREEMENT OF
Republicans. though it may be only temporary,
poiuts 70 the same conclusion. HonOrs paid
by both parties to the deceased statesman
bonors which recognize the Incompatible ser
vices which, while living, he was able to rem
der TO the country he loved so well-do not
alter the fact that his death seems to enemies
of self-gOvernment in France great victory,
and to its friends a serious loss.
Communism solves the riddle. The dividing
line between Republcanism and Communism
has never been elsewhere as clearly drawn as
in the official conduct of the ex-President
himself. His firmncss confronted, and his
energy and sagacity subdued the Commun-
istic madness of 1871; and France remembers
him as the Republican statesman who did not
stoop to be demagOgue. Because he loved sell
government, NJ Theirs aeteSted and cAshed
that spirit which is the foe of all government.
Because he loved France, Ire did not hesitate
to shed French blood in order that the French
people should not be ruled by mob. Other
Republicans by the hundred remembered only
that Communists had votes. Others OF marked
ability failed to see that no Republcanlsm
would be possible III Europe without sharp
distinction drawn between self-gOyernment ana
government by the Commune. The result was
that other Republicans were dlstrusted. III many
cases too much, while the order-loying and
propcrty-owning citizens of France placed a
great confidence in the Republicanlsm OF NJ.
Theirs, and in party which recognized him
as its chief. Under him, the Republic could
saw. with Gambetta, ga defeated ruler must
'submit or resign" Revolutionary resistance to
a Republican verdict at the polls would nave
been hopeless, and therefore improbable.
The death of one man changes the very ma
ture and tendency of the Republican party OF
France, in the estimation of many citizens. NJ.
Gambetta, nothing if not prompt, selects at
once q nominal leader for his party; but France
knows that the real leadership is with VI. Gam
BETA, and it has not the trust i'll him, or IN
his opinions, or III his power to restrain the
more reckless spirits of his own party, that 1t
had in the ex-President. The election Is near,
and the party Of reaction is confident. 1t even
hopes for victory at the polls, but 1t does not
fear to hint it's readiness 10 resist an adverse
verdict The revolution, which would have
been hopeless with NJ. Theirs to appeal to
order-lOving citizens is now thought to be
possible, and the Ministerial organs already
begin TO say that the DictatOrPresident will
neither submit nor resign.
Every friend of liberty will feel the warm-
est sympathy for the true Republicans of
France in this emergency. That they may yet
prevail, not only in the elections, but in the
choice of such moderate measures afterwards
that the lovers of order may not be repealed,
all will sincerely hope. But there is a lesson for
us which should not be lost, in the life, the re-
markable power, and the regretful memory of
the ex-President of France. He was strong,
because he dared to defy the mob in order to
serve the people. He held power which few
private citizens attain, because he had never
stopped to court the favor of mob or
TO surrender his best judgment to the
clamors of the hour. lie represented, better
than any other man in France, the re-
straining influence of great intelligence
combined with self-sacrifcing patriotism an
influence which self-gOvernment in any land
too often tends to destroy, but without which
self government can nowhereenduIe. The peo-
pie become the mob when they act without
calm delberation. without the counsel of the
ablest and wisest of their true well-wishers,
and without the restraints of law. Whether
the rule of the people is the best, certainly the
rule of the mob is the worst known among
men. 1t has been the blessing of France that,
in most trying times, it has HAD one statesman
who could rise above all the tempests of popu-
lar passion. This country may yet need such
a statesman, and will trust him then. to his
own honor and to the incalculabe benefit of
the people, if his whole life has proved that
he was worthy of such trust.