New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-28

when he took his life in his hand and maze DIS
last appeal TO the cowardy and disunted friends
of constitutional government IL was brave
act. but IL only proves more clearly now ihr
Lafayette was from comprehending the tehuenci''
and nature of the agencies he had, however H.
nocently, helped TO set in notion "hen, ~
COMMANDMENTS Chief OF the National Ouard, ne
abstained from employing the force at mana 10
disperse the mob that prevented the hihs w
parture for ST. Cloud he unwittinRy g"Eo '"e
sanction OF his authority to the mohsuous i"ia'S
which was to drench France WIN the oiooo VI '''
own people-the fallacy that any turpu'en' gnu"
criug had the right TO call itself the PeoP'e "''
On mn. ;,s own lavless caprice before the organic
law. That delusion, which pervadeS the he'o'u-
ton. engendered and supported the Terror
similar fa]lacy-that Paris is france-has
bcen at the bottom Of all the French reVoiu'o's
and has co.operated with the folly OF mah'"'ii'is
at the metropolis the seat OF national ies'S'".'oh
IN feeding chronic condition OF restiesSHess winch
uas rosnonsible among other things Tor me Oolh-
r,ure ~ 1871 No national legislature can ne
safc NJ Paris and no stability can be secured ior
any Government which is directly ana cohs'hh'V
oxnosod IN all the agtati1g dlsintegrhuhS l"""
.o. chat onanate from the capital Lafayette,
bowcvcr not only did not understand poI''cs he
,oi,od ~ orasp the nature Of his cOunfrymen Ills
mind was in some respects more English or Amer
icon than French and the Gallo hckleness an"
,-o1atilitv WAS always beyond his comprehension
Mr. Tuckcrman shrewdly remarks upon the ffencn
fondness for tho taking OF oaths maiilsS'ru
throughout the Revolution, and points OUT ''e
curious frivolity with which all such oaths were
,iolatod as soon rs registered Yet Lafayette con-
timed almost to the end TO put implicit commence
in this melodramatic fustian and evidently
thought that when the people, or the Assembly, OF
the National Guard or the regular army, had sWor"
TO some principle or programme the in"l'er was
thereby definitely settled and no matter now if'
ouentlv these facile oaths were DroKcn' INT S""-
plinc philanthropist docs not appear TO nave p'eh
disillusionjZed IT must he admitted, we 'l'"N
that he WAS disproportionately Sentimental ana
not sufficiently practical
Mr. Tuckerman has Analysed the character OF
LAFAYETTE with care and his judgments are in the
main sound For many years the early distinction
bo bod attained dazzlcd him Few men have been
s,bi, ctcd 10 more Hattery and aduation, ana IL ~
no, surprising that he should have been aiiec'ed
ininriouslv bv il. But his character was TOO SOM
M no norma nently hurt by such Influences, ana the
charm exnorience of the Terror cleared his VISION
fer the rest of his life This love of applause ana
ephemeral popularity was, however, his most ST
ous defect next TO that want of penetration Whch
caused him to accept seriously rs guarantees me
irresponsible pledges of an excited mon. In poll
tics the want of practically rendered him an uil-
safe guide As regards principles his superb con
,tancy made him an example for all the w'rI'.
Few men," says his present biographer truly
" have lived more for others than Lafayette lie
WAS thoroughly unselfsh, full of high enthusiasm
capable of great sacrifices consistent IN his con
vctions loyal friend. a real patriot, and t'I'd
and true pupil and lieGman of the great Amer
lean. the centennial anniversary of whose entrance
to the Presidency of the United States IS now TO
be celebrated.