Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-05

other American countries will have q
more or less liberal display OF their in
dustries. So'that while the exposition
will not quite answer to its title OF uni
versal, it will not be wanting in attrac-
tions that will appeal to an enlightened
civilization, and very fully illustrate
modern achievement.
In its purpose of commemorating that
most remarkable OF the numerous epochs
in French history, the revolution which
had its beginning in 1889, brought
forth the republic OF 1902, and cul-
minated with the ascendancy OF Ma
poleon Bonaparte, the influence of the
exposition ought to be beneficial. In
recurring to the character and events
of the first revolution for constitutional
government in France, the Frenchmen
of to-day learn the valuable lesson,
needed by many OF them, that in order
to render republican institutions Sc
cure, there must be patriotism capa-
BILE of subduing passion, a love OF lib
erty so strong and deep rs to be proof
against the con nicts OF factions, and d
profound reverence for law and justice.
1t has been justly said of the French
revolution that it defied God and de-
rided the law. Many of its principles
were sound, particularly those which
the statesmen of America had enuu-
ciated and successfully maintained.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man,
which was the charter of the French
revolution. proclaimed that all men are
born and continue free and equal in
rights; that sovereignty resides in the
nation, that is, the people; that all citi-
zens have right TO take part, through
their representatives, in the making
of the law, and that law must
be equal for all; that all men
are free to hold what religious
views they will, provided they are
not subversive of public order, and that
freedom of speech, of writing and print
ing is one of the most precious of the
rights of man. These and other equally
wise and just principles were the basis
of the French revolution, and they
might then have been firmly established
in France had the people of that couu-
try been imbued with the lofty patriot
ism of the American people, whose ex-
ample was fresh before them, and pos
sessed a leader so strong in wisdom and
integrity, and so unselfish in his
strength, as to have commanded the
universal popular respect, confidence
and support.
But while the French republic of
1892 had only brief existence, the
principles which led to the fall of the
bastile, the execution of Louis XVI,
| and other bloody incidents of that most
eventful epoch, did not die. They have
| ever since been before the French peo-
pie, not always exerting great or gen.
eral influence, but never without sup
porters, and now the most vital of them
are embodied in constitutional re-
| public which gives better promise of
| permanence than those which preceded
| it. There are, however, menacing po-
| litical conditions in France which cause
serious anxiety to the friends of that re-
public, ana popular government there
must still be regarded rs an expert
ment. The third republic has continued
| nearly nineteen years, and the popula,
sentiment in it's support has undoubt.
edly grown year by year. 1t is the hope
| of the friends of free government every.
where that France has definitely aban-
doned her imperialist traditions and
that the great majority of her people
have learned the benefits of a constitu.
tional republic. They have seen the
| country grow and prosper under thai
system, and they have to inspire then
the example of the United States, main
tanned hundred years and productive
of unparalleled results in every condi
tion of national progress. The opening
of their exposition will lead them to re
fleet on all cheese things, and the etfec
ought to be good in elevating their pa
triotism and strengthening their devo
tion to the republic.