New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-07
TIE FRENCH CELEBRATION

TIE FRENCH CELEBRATION.
TITS remarkable coincidence that the Amer"
can and French centenaries should be cele-
brated in the same fortnight. The two revoIu-
tions occurring in the latter half of the eigh-
ieenth century were closely and logically con-
rected as historical events. The elimination
Of the American movement in the adoption OF
n Constitute I'd the Inauguration Of Wash
ington naturally involved tho beginning OF the
French democratic movement and the over
throw of the monarchy. France had aided tho
Colonies in conquering their independence ana
at cost of nearly $500, 0O0,0 900 in treasure,
and with the sacrifice Of much of its best and
most heroic blood had cO-operated in establish
ing free institutions in the New World when
the enthusiasm for the American cause had
time to cool after Yorktown, the financial bur
dens caused by the foreign campaigns, when
had wiped away the disgrace caused by the
peace of 1853, involved the necessity for CON
yOl<ing the States General NeckerS famous
report on the finances of the kingdom was one
of the direct causes of the historical assembling
of the Three Estates, which has been COM
memorated this week in Paris by the memorial
ceremonies at Versailles and the opening OF
the Exposition; and the subsequent publication
Of the State and National constitutions adopted
in America impaired a powerful impulse to the
movement in favor Of parliamentary insutu-
tons During the years of financial msmah-
apement which Immediately preceded Calonne's
dismissal, Necker's restoration to power and
the elections TO the States General, American
influences were directing the tendencies OF the
approaching revolution.
WaShington'S Inauguration occurred almost
simultaneously with the opening of the French
Revolution; but il was the constitutional TN
umph of free government in America that IN
spired the leaders of tho third Estate with
courage TO take their stand as representatives
of the Nation. II was on May ., 1889 that
Louis XVI and his Ministers first met the
States 6 eneral. Six weeks Of obstruction and
futile compromise followed, and then the Com
mons proclaimed themselves to be the National
Assembly and took the solemn oath in tho
tcnnis-court never to separate until they had
established the Constitution OF their country
mon as permanent foundations had bccn
laid in the New World. jefferson himself was
not more intimately associated with the Demo
cratic leaders who sought his counsel in Paris
than the American and French national move
and effect, The destruction OF the BaStlIe IN
July was an act Of popular frenzy
caused by the varillaton OF the
King in dismisSing Nccker second
time and in affronting the Deputies but even
Camille DesmOulins in his excited harangue IN
the Palais Royal garden referred to American
freedom and democracy as source OF inSpra-
ton 10 Frenchmen who had their Liberties to
win. The Declaration of the Rights Of Man
was an embodiment Of JeffersOns own charter
of liberty and at every stage OF the debates on
| the Constitution, while American prccedents
were widely departed from and Rousseau
| teachings ultimately prevailed. the influence OF
| political regeneration in the Western world was
| felt.
The opening Of the States-G General was hy
| itself formal legislative event which any
monarchcal State in Europe might have con-
sistently Joined France in COMMUNICATING II
| the ambassadors from the various courts de-
| clned to be present on Sunday at Versailles II
was not because the meeting Of the King and
! the Three Estates was attended with revolution
| ary scenes, but rather because the anniversary
was a starting point for n movement which
| startled every monarch on his throne, alarmed
| every Minister in Council, aud educated the
world, albeit by scenes of blood, carnage and
violence, for a new era Of rcpublicanism and
| constitutional progress. Our correspondent IN
his cable letters has described the festiv. ties at
| Versailles as n family affair devoid OF interna-
| tional courtesics, This was necessarily true
since monarchical Europe still stands il awe OF
the memories of the Revolution. But Amen
cans can join heart and soul in commemonting
the events OF 1880 in France. The Exposition
opened yesterday appeals to their pride in the
pacific destiny Of republican institutions and
to the patriotic traditions of the French -Ameri
can alliance Their own President is the grand
son Of one Of the sgners Of the Declaration Of
Independence, as the French Executive j. the
grandson of one OF the greatest figures OF the
Revolution of 1889. The names Of the tvs
Presidents serve to bind together the associa.
tons of the two centenaries fraught with mo-
| roantous consequences TO both continents.