Year: 1868

The Political and Social Condition of Lyons


Want of Employment and Discomfort with


tho Governmental Trade "Strike0 and


Revolutionary Scenes-The Military Called


Out.


An affair has just occurred here which, viewed
expression Of mob spirit latent in certain classes Of
people, possesses importance whatever but in
is political connection 1t becomes very significant You
have noticed by article in the HERALD the fact that
At an election held here some weeks ago the entire ticket
Of the opposition candidates was elected.


That result showed TO . certain extent the state Of
feeling existing here yet does not show how fsrcey
the dres burning within, does it indicate how
freely intelligent Frencnmen express their views upon
shs present condition or things regards the Emperor
and his policy. Some far to set the time when
= revolution will take place; and whom the fire does
burst forth Lyons will surely make its record


The affairs Of this city. as you know, are under
the immediate control Of the authority at Paris, tho
only city in the empire besides Paris bsisvewhch
ls mot allowed TO administer its own government;
but this point, like the capital, 10 too impor-
tant TO be allowed TO drift In the current,
and must be kept In Its true by the
powers that are. The Project Of this department
has his regular routine OF Business, but the moment
question comes up extra constitutional" instead OF
assuming the least responsibility he teegaphs to Paris
for instructions When business IL good and there
abundance Of employment for laborng classes they
seldom trouble themselves with any thought about
matters not pertaining TO their work. and they naturally
feel satisfied with everything in general and themselves
In particular But whom there is no demand for labor
and idsness begins to point significantly TO privaton
and want whatever the cause Of the stagnation
Sss. @ { the " blame. Tho DUNES: in . Of - business % for for
some months past has paved the way for this result,
and last Friday evening the silk weavers from Crox.
this class OF In large numbers
Place Bsllscour the principal square Of tho city, and
began svs vent the turbulent spirit within them.
The freest denunciatons INDUCED In change Of
policy and amelioration or burdens demanded,
threats OF taking forcibIs possession OF the buche
and bakers shops made well cries for work. work.
A. late hour they dispersed, only to congregats In
greater numbers on the following morning.


Crowds were on the Place during the entire day. All
sorts OF stories were fabricated and freely crcuated the
Army bill discussed by the intelligent while the
men and women, snared at and frightened away little
children. The police all this time trying to calm
she rising storm By persuasive means but the evening
developing . more dangerous spirit. they attempted
some arrssta This was the signal for an attack the
rescued their comrades and drove every police


At this crisis military company was called out to
quell the disturbance. One enthusiast with moro bold
ness than discretion made violent attack ON the CAP
san who, with blow Of his heavy sword opened the
fellows head and laid him in the dust The crowd
soon dispersed, and strict watch prevented any fur


The city 10 patrolled BY secret police who con-
tinually listen and report.


eiculars, merely atrbuting little disturbance
IDLE rowdes and remsrkng also that four Of the leaders
have been sent 70 prssn four months each But t Is
net rowdy spirit that prompts TO wholesome protest
against high prices and heavy taxes, with prospect Of
stl heavier ones, nor 10 iti mere idle spirit that
shs Army bill denounced Italian Affairs discussed or
Shs Mexican bubble alluded TO.


The very secrecy thrown around the affairs Of the
govsrnmens creates Q mist through which everythi
looks magninsd and distorted operating against the
welfare Of the empire.


when only that which is favorable to France 10 pub
lishsd In the papers, and they not allowed to be
hawksd around the streets as in own country so
that every one can read and judge for themselves the
more ignorant the moment they out OF employ
msnt begin 10 think OF something besides their looms
and declare there Is evil spirit In the dark both for.
midabs and dangerous


Things cannot long remain as they nov are . change
FOR the better or must certainly TAKE place