M. Paul Lafargue, the violent Socialist who while in prison
stood for Lille, was elected on Sunday by a majority of 6,470 votes, to 5,175 votes obtained by his Republican opponent, M. Depasse. On the following day, the Government still refusing to pardon M. Lafargue, a motion was made in the Chamber for his release during the Session, which was agreed to, only fifteen Deputies dissenting. He is a doctor, a disciple and son-in-law of Karl Marx, and is Communist in opinion, with a decided tendency towards the use of force. It is believed that his election, and the speeches he will deliver, will greatly strengthen the Conservative, and perhaps even the Monarchical, Party in France, where the majority of the peasantry still dread the Red Spectre, laid since the disasters of 1870, but now rearing his head again. That may be the case in some places, but we fancy that in France generally, the peasants are more conscious of their power at the balloting-booths than in 1852, and are aware that, as they fill up the Army, they can hold Paris down. M. Constans is never censured by the Chamber for any act of " vigour."
