New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-28
BoULAYGEYS TRIUMPH

Paris repeats itself alter forty years non
Louis Napoleon, deserving his garrett IN Lon
don and securing an election as Deputy nrSt
from Corsica and then from one or two other
Departments, appealed to the metropolis to
give a GROWING impulse to his career OF po-
Etical adventure, the capricious boulevard
throngs cheered as one man when his name
appeared at the head of the list. The Ministry
of the day was powerless to enforce the decree
of Punishment against him, and the Chamber
sanctioned his election. Within six months he
was chosen President by majority OF 1000
600. Paris had given the signal to the Nation,
and swift and irresistible was the march OF
events Installed in office, he became at once
a candidate for reelection in the face OF con-
stitutionaI disquaffcations, and with one De
partment after another agitating for revision
and dissolution, the coup detat, wanton CRIME
against liberty as it was, excited little resent
ment and was condoned by plebiscite. BoIi-
langism has not yet eliminated eitheriin usur-
patton or in outrage; but it is moving fast
On the same track as in 1848 and 1891. Pal1s
has ratified the choice of the Conservative De
partments which voted last year; and what
TPenchman does not believe that 1t speaks
and acts for the Nation? In that great centre
of Radiealism, the Seine, the Man on Horse
back obtains plurality almost as great as that
recorded in the Nord nearly a year ago. The
bouleyards again echo with the revels OF tU-
multuous rejoicing over the triumph of sordid
and unprinciped intriguer, whose reckless am
bition points unerringly toward an Irrespon-
sibe military despotism like Louis Napoieons.
The situation in Paris is portrayed with vivid
coloring and sharply defined outlines by our
accomplished correspondent, Mr. Smailey'
whose trenchant comments render reflections
in this column almost superfiuous Perhaps
the safest generalization that can be hazarded
is one relating TO the new proof that his tn
umph offers of the inherent love OF personal
government which has always been character
istic of France. Hospitable 70 abstract con-
ceptions of democracy and republicanism "a the
Nation has been, it invariably wearies OF i'm
personal government that makes no appeal TO-
the imagination NJ. Grevy, an almost ideal
type of law-abidng democracy, never chal-
Iepeed the admiration of FrenchmeD. NJ Car
not, with an historic name associated with
glorious memories of the first Revolution, Is
regarded listlessly as dull, commonplace hg-
ure. Boulanger it is who catches the eye and
sets Frenchmen to dreaming of the vicissitudes
of political fortune. He is mysterious figure
who seems quick TO improve his chances and
inspired with faith in his destiny. He may
be reckless political gambler boldly playing
for the highest stakes and despising the hungry
and desperate gang Of self-seekers gathered
about him: or he may be vulgar cheat, trick
ing audaciousy the warning factions whose
support he has obtained ON credit that never
can be redeemed but he is real and pictu-
rescue parsonage that fills the eyes and stirs the
blood Of Frenchmen. During nearly twenty
years of prosaic repubicanism National ideals
have grown duh and impersonal. Even an
adventurer confident in his star is relief to
tickle and imaginative Paris.
Then, too there is the excitement OF this
political lottery in which so many factions and
classes are hoping for prizes and destined TO
| draw blanks. What fantastic game OF
chances it is that wins alike the patronage OF
Royalsts, Orleanists, Bonapartists, Clericaiists
spectators in Panama shares claquers OF
borrse swindes and horde Of tide walters
and sycophants Boulangism cannot restore
the Monarchy, nor revive the tinsel glories OF
the Eapoleonic Empire. II must either end in
an irresponsible military dictatorship doomed
to final, if not speedy, overthrow, or else in
anarchy and revolution. How can the enemies
of the Republic be so strangely blinded as to
believe that Boulanger can be true to any lac
ton when he has boldly entered the market
and traded with every one who would trust
him Or how can the sordid investors in canal
shares or the swarms Of rapacious spectators
eager to come into fortune through visionary
81 l.. alt panfgn CyNA-
cess win mean money in their empty pockets
Or what can the Radical dreamers and Socialist
madcaps be thinking Of, when they join In this
wild game Of political chance with the conyic-
ton that luck viii favor them in the end, when
Boulangism Parliamentary Government and
everything else fails Strange excitement Of
play is this which steals away the Judgment
and fires the passions of the Paris that stands
for France and Of the France which stands
to-day for Republicanism in Europel