The Litchfield County post., 1827-02-23
CATHOLIC INTOLERANCE.

CATHOLIC INTOLERANCE.
NismeS in France has been the scene of
an event which excites surprise &, indig-
nation in the minds of all her peaceable CT
tizens.
A young man of that city, named Francis
Vidal, baker by profession, & ofthe Pro-
testant faith, conceived an affection for J.
Souchon, a young woman of the Catholic
communion. AS their affection was recip-
rocal, the parents did not hesitate to con-
sent to union, which in all other respects
appeared to them to be suitable. The
family of the young woman expressed de-
sire that the marriage ceremony might be
performed in her church she accordingly
waited on the priest, but her request was
refused. She was told that his orders for
babe him to give the nuptial benediction to
marriages between Catholics and, Profess
tants.
The parents were thus constrained to
dispense with the blessing of the Catholic
priest, g. to content themselves with that
of Protestant minister. The evening Of
the 22d of April 1896, was the time fixed
for the ceremony. Early in the day the
rumor ofwhat was to take place, was nois-
ed abroad through the suburbs of Saint
Charles, the quarter in which the family of
the young woman lived. At this news the
whole populace were in commotion, & ex-
hibited the most frightful dispositions. The
women vociferated loudly; it was with
cries of rage they received the announce
ment ola marriage between a Protestant
& a catholic in their neighborhood. Dur
ing the preceding days, they had violently
the young woman, and follow
ed her in the streets with their shouts and
their imprecations, many even pushed
their resentment so far as to strike her g.
spit upon her.
On the 22d April their rage no longer
kept bounds; they assembled in tumult, g.
took possession of all the avenues leading
from the house of the intended pair, & OBJ
structed all the neighboring streets. Eve
ry moment their frightfnl cries e. threats
were heard the mob increased & the dam
ger became more & more imminent. The
two families, fearing every thing from such
an exasperated multitude, deliberated if it
would not be prudent to postpone the mar
riage ceremony, or to have it performed in
a neighboring village. Not knowing what
course to take, they sent an express to the
Mayor, and made him acquainted with the
critical situation in which they were pla-
ced. This magistrate M. de Chastelier }
repaired to the house of these distrest FAM
lies, assured them he would do whatever
was in his power, & gave them his word
that his whole authority should be put in
requisition to protect Them The gendar-
merle was Immediately called out, & repai-
red to the spot, followed by the justices of
the peace but their presence instead ofin-
timidating the fanatics, only increased their
rage. 1t became necessary now to resort
to stronger measures. Three companies of
Swiss soldiers were ordered to the support
OF the gendarmerie. Their sudden arrival
awed the rebels, who Immediately retreat
ed in disorder. The passage being thus
made free, the intended pair & their fam
lilies were allowed at last to come out of the
house where they were beseiged. They
were placed in the midst of the ranks, g.
in this order proceeded to the church. AS
soon as the escort was in motion, the popu-
lace rushed upon them, uttering frightful
cries. The women, or rather furies, fol-
lowed by evil-designing men, who encoura-
ged them, began to threaten & then pro-
ceeded to discharge shower of stones on
the guard. A great number tried to break
through the ranks, g. come at the bride,
with the intent of Selling her.
1t was with the utmost difficulty that the
Swiss guard was able to protect the young
couple from the continually renewed attack
Of these infatuated females. During the
affray, some of the gendarmes & soldiers
were struck. The Commissary of Police,
M. Constant, was collared, g. thrown down
with violence; he was rescued, much bruis-
ed, from the hands Of the mob. When the
escort arrived at the church, the Swiss guard
suffered only the young couple to enter, &
repealed with their bayonets the croud Of
men and women who wished to enter after
them. 1t would have been fatal to this
young couple, ifthe mob had entered the
church. Their death would have been in
evitable, & might have been followed by
that of their families g. of the minister
That their blood has not been shed & that
they did not fall into the hands of the mob,
is owing to the frmness of the Mayor, g.
the considerable force which was displayed.