The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-11
The RiOting in Paris.

Tho SOCIALIST outbreak winch COOk place iii
Paris on Friday, was, happily for the prestige
of the Government, quelled by tho joint ef-
forts OF tho police and the city militia, with
out the Intervention Of tho regular army.
Yet the demonstration was prolonged for
many hours, and serious consequences seem
to have been averted rather by q lack OF de-
cision on tho part OF tho rioters than by tho
promptitude and vigor Of the authorities
The danger Is that, encouraged by this Sig
niHcent fact, the promoters OF disorders
may renew their attempt ON more extern
slve scale and In more determined spirit.
This collision between q section OF tho
Paris worklngmen and the French Govern
ment recalls with ominous distinctness the
first step In tho downward course OF tho re-
public OF 1S4S. In that year series OF ILL
planned and abortive disturbances preceded
the formidable uprising OF the days OF June,
which with extreme difficulty was sup
pressed by tho military skill and ruthless
energy Of Gen. CAvAIaNAo. 1t was dear
bought victory for the Republican party, for
while 1t irremcdiably allcnated tho Paris
working people, II failed altogether to allay
the distrust and apprehensions Of the rural
population. At tho subsequent elections for
tho Legislative Assembly large majority
OF reactionists was returned, although then,
as now, tho forces inimlcal to free institu-
lions were divided among the partisans Of
three dynastic families. There Is reason to
fear that history may repeat itself Mt the
present juncture. Should tho Socialist de-
monstrations be repeated and acquire more
redoubtable proportions before the next gen.
eral election, 1t is not improbable that the
bourgeois class and the small farmers, panic
stricken by the threatened invasion of the
rights of property. will again give their
votes to men representing tho guarantees OF
social security which in the popular imagina-
ton are associated with strong government
1t is now acknowledged by every close OBJ
server OF the political situation in France
that In tho death Of GAMBErTA the rcpubli-
can regime lost an immense reserved force,
which In any supreme exigency could be re-
lied upon to maintain its hold upon the con-
f1dence Of the nation His virtually single
handed triumph over oil the agencies Of re-
action in the elections Of 1877 supplied con-
vincing proof that so long as its standard
was uplifted by GAMBETTA, the republic
could challenge fearlessly tho fiat OF the
people. But no other Republican leader has
anything like the same grasp on the esteem
and trust of the peasantry and tho great
middle class In the cities and towns;
no other man in their hour OF peril
can throw over republican institutions
the invulncrable egis OF his personal popu-
larity. The present Ministry is perhaps the
strongest that could have been selected In
view Of the actual composition OF the Cham
Der Of Deputies; but there is not a man in 1t
strong enough to daunt the enemies OF order.
or bold enough to chastisc lawless demon
stration with pitiless severity. The FERRY
Cabinet Is not fortified by the serene assur-
ance that it has the country at It's back, and
We may not unreasonably anticipate that in
the face OF the outbreaks with which 1t may
now have to deal, 1t will evince the same In
stability Of purpose and fatal self-dlstrust
which brought about the downfall Of LOUIS
PHILIPPE. And even should the present
republic have the improbable good fortune to
Hnd a second CAvAIGNAc, his success, won at
the cost Of rupturing the Republican party,
might ultimately inure to the profit Of the
reactiOnists