The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-10-11
For the National Err
TOT INC NHuOHaI Eta.
Sketch of the Political History of Europe,
THE CAPITULATI0N OF PARIS, IN 1914,
THE PRESENT TINE.
BY A FRIEND OF LIBERTY.
CHAPTER Xxx

CHAPTER Xxx
The members of the Opposition in the Cha u
bers had resolved, in order to vindicate tbrjr
right, to be present at the banquet which lae
twelfth reimbursement of Paris had organic I'd
to take place on the 22d of February. 1t as
the intention of the Cabinet not to oppose soy
force its celebration, but to bring crimi al
action against those who should participate in
it. But on the 10Th, the Ministers, taxi ng
alarm on account of an invitation issued by
the Republican party to the National Guards
without arms, declared, in the Chambers, that
prevent by force the celebration of the intend.
ed banquet.
M. Barrot convoked Immediately the mem
bers of the constitutional opposition in the
Chambers to meeting in his house, in order
to consider what ought to be done. This de-
liberation resulted in the resolution not to pro.
woke a contest with the Government.
The same views were on the following day
adopted by most of the members belonging to
the other parties of the Opposition. But M.
number of his friends OF the Necessity or I'd!
wing the threats of the Ministers, in ordetSto
vindicate right which constitutionally be-
longed to every Frenchman. The resolut ton
was therefore taken, by those who approves of
this opinion to meet at the house of the UIke
of Harcourt, thence to proceed to the p ace
where the banquet was to be celebrated. ysut
M. Lamartine and his friends had no opp tu.
nifty of executing their intention, because '9ey
received the information that the banquet vas
not to take place at present.
The Government had meanwhile collect I a
considerable armed force in Paris and its ytsin.
ity. Instructed by what took place in 1870,
certain places were, in case of an attemf at
revolt, to be occupied by the troops, in o'der
to cut off the different bodies of the revo ting
party from communicating with each othef,
On the morning of the 22d, great nuI lber
| of people were seen crowding the streets, but
evidently more from motives of curiosity han
with any violent intentions. The youth Of the
different schools, united in groups, and sin cling
the Marseillaise, were marching toward La
Place de la Madeline. This popular sons in
famed the hearts of the people, who responded
to it with enthusiastic rapture. The coFmn,
greatly increased, passing over La Place re Ia
| Concorde and La Pom Royale, forced the gar
den of the palace. But regiment of dragons
dispersed the intruders, without meeting with
any resistance. Soon more troops arrived; q
detachment took possession of the bridge, and
some artillery was placed in La Rue de Bour.
gogne.
As soon as M. Odillon Barrot had entered
the Chamber of Deputies, he proceeded to lay
on the desk of the President written accuse.
ton against the Ministers. M. Guizot, seeing
what was done, left his seat, stepped up to the
desk, read the accusation, and smiled ironi-
cally.
| In the course of the day, a few barricades
were erected and the insurrectionary commit
tees were assembled at the headquarters of the
secret societies and at the Offices of the Repub-
| lican journals. But the sun set without any
actual engagement having taken place between
the popular party and the supporters Of the
| Government,
The people were meanwhile kept in sueSense
by report which was circulating, that the King
intended change of Ministers. But a Strong
body of the most violent Republicans tod< pos
session of the narrow and meandering streets
and lanes in the vicinity of the monastery Of
st. Mary, in the centre of Paris; and during
| the night detachment of the same party dis
| %
the gate of one of the suburbs, set the watch
house on FIRE, and, taking possession of lum
ber-yard in the vicinity, prepared themselves
for defence. But no troops were employed for
the purpose of dislodging them.
The Government, seeing its forces masters
of the principal squares and streets of the city,
and expecting on the following day numerous
reinforcements of infantry, cavalry, and artil
lery, had not the least apprehension of its ad-
versaries being able to oppose to it any serious
resistance.
On the morning of the 23d, great number
of troops entered Paris but while apparently
ready to obey the orders of the Government
and to sustain the King, their countenances
expressed very visibly the regret they felt in en-
gaging in struggle against their fellowciti
zens. But during that day their principal oc
cupation consisted in removing the barricades
which the populace did not desist from raising
almost everywhere, without however attempting
to resist their being demolished by the soldiers
At length, the National Guard of Paris was
called to arms but it remained neutral, inter
posing between the people and the regular
troops, while frequently raising loud csies fol
the dismissal of the Ministers, and for reform
After sunset, the rumor was generally cred
tied, that the King had at last yielded to the
evident wishes of the people, and resolved tc
dismiss NJ. Guizot and his colleagues, and ap