New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-06
THE SUNDAY BPAWL AT PARIS.

"Flashed in the pan" Is the eptaph OF the
latest attempt at revolution in France. There
IS no mistakng the animus Of the titled and
other ruffans who were responsible for the
brawl OF Sunday last at Paris. They meant
murder and revolution. But they had not the
personal courage to commit the one and could
not command enough popular following to effect
the other. Their scheme was, no doubt, to pro-
woke a general uprising Of the Paris mob In
the melee to murder the President; to establish
a military dictatorship to save society" and
then to overturn the Republic and put, perhaps,
the Prince who kissed Esterhazy upon the
throne The time seemed to their limited intel
Licences opportune The Court of Cessation
had ordered revision Of the Dreyfus case; that
would rouse the ew-baiters to frenzy. Paul
Deroulede had been acquitted; that would en-
courage the Patriotic League. Gallieni and
Marchand were at hand; either Of them would
serve as a popular military hero-a IMAM on
horseback" And the President was "bour-
rpeois," and therefore hateful alike to upstart
sarlstocracy" md to the Communists. Truly,
fine combination OF circumstances, which one
might reckon menaclng to France, and which
would have been so had It not been for the two
things we have mentioned and for one other.
The brawlers did not venture to kill the Presi'
dent outright. They merely insulted and as
saulted him. Had one Of them got chance to
kill him secretly. or in the midst of melee, so
that his identity would have remained I'M
known, doubtless he would have done the deed.
But such fellows as these are not made OF the
stuff which dares TO strike and take the conse-
uuences Chrstiani Is made Of baser metal
than a Caserio To that fact NJ. Loubet doubt
less owes his life. AS for the people, they evil
IDENTIFY took no stock In the swell rabble, and
declined to be stampeded into disorder. Paris
WAS thrown into ferment. But there Is rea-
son 10 believe the popular agitation was as
largely sympathetic with as hostile TO the Presi-
dent and TO the Republic. The common peo-
nile" SAYS q dispatch were decently behaved"
II was only when the Presidential party came
into the presence Of socalled society gentle
men" that the trouble began. OF course, these
fellows are not representatives OF French so
cIety. any more than the perfect lady" OF the
policc court Is representative or New-iorH
womanhood There are few good names IN
the list. Ii is deplorabe TO see son OF Count
Albert de Nun in such company. But Tor the
most part these fashionable brawlers were the
queer FISH OF the social pond. The people OF
France are often given 10 hero-worship. But
they could see no hero among the Young Royal
lists. Jew-baiters and Patriotic League OF Sum-
day ct Auteuil.
The third favorable circumstance was that
the President showed himself to be what he
has been supposed to be. namely, a man OF both
physical and moral courage. He remained uIs
moved amid the riotous scenes. stayed TO see the
first race, and then returned to his official homo
On, he
received threats Ia advance that violence would
be used against him, but was not deferred there
by from going to Auteuil. And In reply 10 ques'
lions about possible resignation, his answer Is
that he was reluctant to become President, but
now. being President. and finding the Office a
place of DANGER he means to stick Here !
am. here ! remsinr' said one OF his predeces
sors on the field Of battle. but In the Elysee hs