New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-30
BOULANGTSM UNVEILED.
A REMARKABLE EXPOSURE.

AugmoDtccS pluSleurS
une Preface de Mermex, Depute de Paris: l2% NO
tkristern.
II Boulangism retained any spark Of life when
the series Of papers entitled lies Ccullsses NC
Boulangisme" began to appear In the flea.o'
that spark was assuredly extinguished long oelore
these curious revelations were completed. nS-
tory presents many examples Of more or less sue
cessful political impostures; but we can Hoa'i no
parallel to the fulness Of the exposure wnich nus
overwhelmed this adventurer ana put oenili'e
end to his career. 1t is conceivable that IL !" h""
been possible to represent Bouanger only as an
adroit and INSCRIPTIONS intriguer, as poh'Acai
sharper playing fast and loose with principles and
parties, he might have retained some following
and been regarded, in at least some quarters, as
man whose exceeding "smartness" justified Ger.
tain degree of admiration But the story so mi
nutely detailed by NJ MermeiX is one not merely to
rouse the indignation of those who have been
duped. and of those who, not having been duped,
have been EXPOSED; what makes it fatal is that
IL ANNALS to that sense OF the ridiculous which Is
SO keen in every French Intelligence. Nothing
more cynically immoral in politics has ever been
set forth than in this case: but the faulty the
clumsiness and the atmosphere of comedy " ooune
which surrounds the whole narrative must out
weigh, in the general Judgment. the more sinister
features, and so leave /" the brave general mere
butt for mockery and ridicue, and an eternally
dscredited sham patriot.
When we consider the hold Boulanger con-
trved to acquire and maintain for two years,
upon really considerable element Of the people
when we perceive the formidable character oil the
support he drew to himself and when we under
stand the magnitude of the fund which was placed
at his disposal the conclusion is forced upon us thau
his defeat and collapse have been brought ABOUT
almost directly by his personal defects, ana that
a mon of very ordinary abilities, possessing
stronger will, might In the same circumstances
have succeeded. Perhaps the stranGest thing OF
all is that it remains impossible to say preclseN
what Boulangcr's intentions actually were. 10
NAV very well be, indeed that he had no clearly
defined purposes that he was, In fact, a typical
opportunist: and that he bent all his energies TO
putting himself In the saddle, without CONSIDER
ing what he should do when he got there. In
trying to fathom his intentions we are met at the
outset with the battling fact that, so far as can
be ascerained, he lied with equal freedom ana
RESPONSIBILITY to everybody. man who uh-
dertook solemn engagements with tie Monarcnls's
while posing as model Republican who accepted
an immense subsidy from the former and concealed
the source of his revenues from the latter; VINO
invited alternately or all at once alliances with
the Radicals, the Clericals, the Right. the Lew
who accepted the aid simultaneously Of the Count
of Paris and of Paul Deroulede's Patriotic League,
is clearly not o man whose own explanations OF
his purposes can be received with Implicit con-
fidence. The volume, however, which brings TO-
cether NJ Mermeix's views behind the scenes Is
of no little historical importance, and OF very
obvious moral significance. 1t embodies lessons
which all political parties in France-and per-
haps out of France-may be benefited by taking
to heart One of these lessons is pregnant Illus
tration of the burden of one of Hoods poems 10
the effect that "evil is wrought by want OF
thought more than by want Of heart" For In
this case the continuance of Boulangism would
have been impossible had not so many OF the par
ties principally concerned taken upon trust all
manner Of things which they ought to have In
vestlgated and tested. There were dupes on every
side, and the most ptiabe Of all were those credu'
lous souls who believed in Boulangers patriotism
and disinterestedness.
From the day he lost his place as Minister of
Wal, NJ Mermeix shows that " the brave general"
beran To be on the lookout for alliances which
would help to put him back again in office. Nor
was he at any time at all particular as to the
character of these alliances His ostensibe af'ili-
atoms were with the Left, but if the Right had
any practical arrangements to propose-why,
"Rarkis was within" Thus he attracted to him.
self two men who were to play important parts
in the ensuing events. NJ. Arthur Meyer and
Count Dillon were by no means under Illusions
Both, according to NJ Mermeix, scented important
Operations in the Boulangist possibilities. What
made Boulanger's opportunity was the TACT that'
in racing phrase, it was the field against the
Government Orleanists, Imperialists, Radicals
were all eager to make use of instrumentolities
which would enable them to destroy their com
mon enemy. Now Boulanger appeared under
peculiarly favorable auspices. He had legend. y
the history of which Is not the least interest
ing detail in this strange mclodrama. He had a
strong support among the peasants OF the
provinces and the workmen of the cities. He was
in many quarters regarded the destined man
on horseback" He had imposing exterior
and engaging manDcrs So all parties bid for
his friendship, and he met all parties more than
half way 1t was Count Dillon who following
NJ. Mermeix) first thought of engaging the gen.
,ral on the Royalist side, and Arthur Meyer who
first undertook to establish campaign fund. But
all the partisan intrgues and all the canyassing
would have como to naueht had not one woman
who believed in Boulanger come to the front and
testified to her faith by sacrifice SO great that
only woman could have been capable Of it.
The Duchesse dues widow of the premier peer
Of France, very great lady ard a devoted ad-
herent Of the Monarchy, vas drawn, almost I'M
consciously, into the complot. At this time
Boulangcr had already had an interview at
Prangins with Prince Jerome Napoleon, and had
then said enough to raise the hopes of the I'M
periasts But the latter had not shown any
symptom of u disposition TO contribute in hard
cash to the prosecution Of Boulangism. and SO
Arthur Meyer and Count Dillon cut about for
aid in other quarters. The Duchessc d'Uzes be-
lievcd that the question was at bottom that of
Restoration of the Monarchy. She evidently re-
garded General Boulanger as an aspirant for the
role of Monk; and it is clear that he took pains
not TO disabuse the lady. Learning from Meyer
that without speedy and substantial aid the whole
movement must collapse, she sought an interview