New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-09

That stubborn war Of the Camisards is one of
the episodes in European history which must
always have particular interest for Ameri-
cans. In the first place 1t was practically sue
cessful struggle Of plain farmers with guns In
their hands and minute skill in woodcraft in
their brains against the organized and disci-
plined forces OF a powerful kingdom 1t fur
nished in many ways an exact counterpart to
the American Revolution particularly to the
stubborn partisan warfare in the trackless
forests of the Southern Colonies. The name of
Marion links the two wars together and the
Marion of Cevennes though little is known OF
him a warrior, stu must have known some
thing Of that backwoods -trategy which made
his famous namesake of South Carolina terror
20 regular soldiers For the military art Of the
leaders in the Cevenncs was Just that of Francis
Marion-to move swiftly and secretly, to make
sudden and destructive attacks, and TO keep the
enemy constantly in d state Of reputation
The American kept Up his irregular warfare
until fully appointed army came TO his sup
port. But the patriots of the Cevcnnes gave up
their task in a way that leaves the question as
TO what might have been still in doubt to this
day They were rarely beaten in battle. They
lost comparatively few Of their numbers. With
q little of the money promised but never fur
nished. by the Protestant Powers, they could
have doubled their forces at any moment. They
were as strong at the last they were at the
first They might have recovered even from
the blows Of treaChery which deprived them of
their hidden supplies of gunpOwder. When they
were asked by foreign Protestants what they
needed, they named merely small sum OF
money OF men they had enough TO carry on
indefinitely. Yet they gave up the struggle
without obtaining the freedom Of rarship which
.nf
the more clear does it that their sub
mission was due to the same popular political
superstition which kept all France loyal to
monarchy that strong only in the magma
tion Of its subjects The career Of the foremost
leader in this war is a commentary on the whole
conflict. Cavalier was a born soldier. He was
dreaded with good reason by the best soldiers
that were sent against him. But when the OPP
portunity came for him TO relinquish the cause
which youthful enthusiasm led him TO take up,
he quick TO accept the Kings commission
fer foreign service. Only the utter lack Of hon.
esty in Louis XIV drove him TO take sides
with the enemies of France. His conduct toward
bis Huguenot companions wore the aspect OF
treachery but after all they were hardly wiser
than he when it came to treating with poti-
clans instead of fighting.
The total result Of the war Of the Camisards
was simply tue PROOF III suNt tHdt IIOtcStdhliSii
in France could not be conquered 1t was
fought by young men, not one OF whom had any
experience Of the conditions that prevailed be-
fore the Revocation of the Edct Of Nantes.
Huguenots had escaped from France 10 the
number of perhaps 800 600. and those who
manned were supposed to be in the galleys. In
converts or In the bosom Of the Ancient Church.
The pastors had all been driven away or killed.
Yet the younger generation, trained In the
usages Of the Catholic Church. were as thorough
Protestants their parents In place of the
learned ministers Of the Older time. they had
now prophets and missionaries. Their religion
was less regular than it had BEEN II was varied
BY ecstatic outbreaks and by mysticism that
would have Mortified Calvin, and that. indeed.
was suppressed with a strong hand soon as
the Reformed Churches were reorganized. This
work was not delayed by the persistency of the
SUCCESSORS OF Louis XIV in enforcing and even
adding TO the repressive laws The most inter-
esting portion OF this volume comprises the
chapters devoted TO the Churches Of the Desert.
In the Cevennes, where the royal troops had de-
stroycd every hamlet and farmhouse, without a
roof to shelter them. the hunted Protestants
down their faces they sang the psalms they
loved heard the Scriptures and listened TO such
sermons as had been the glory Of their TEN
pies In other days.