The true Democrat., 1857-02-03
The Execution of Louis XVI.


 Louis Blanc's history of the French Revolu- ton contains many thrilling scene of that terrible event. One of the most graphic is the description of the execution of Louis XVI:
 "The condemned man traversed the inner court on foot. At the entrance of the external court green carriage was waiting, with two gen darmes holding open the door. Louis en- tered, his cOnfessor taking a seat by his side, and the soldiers mounted in front. The signal Is given, and the cortage moved on. It was a mourniul scene. From the prison to the place of death was ranged double line of spiked guns, borne by men, who, in their immo vable silence looked like armed statues. The wea- ther was cold and misty. A leaden stiffness, only once broken at the gate of the temple by cry of Mercy! mercy! uttered by the lremb Nng voice of some woman, reigned along the entire march,
 Here and there few shops were half open; every where the shutters were closed. For the loot passengers there were no means of issue; For was there single carriage in those streets except that one that rolled on amidst universal silence, bearing the unhappy one, then called Louis the Last.
 At ten they reached the foot of the scafold.
 1t had been erected in front of the Tullle- rles, in the square called after Louis XF, aud near the spot on which stood the statue of the most corrupt of kings--a king who expired tranquily in his bed. The condemned was three minutes descending from his carriage.
 Upon quitting the temple he had refused the red ingote which Cleary had offered him, and now appeared in a brown coat, white waistcoat gray brooches and white stockings; his hair was not d!sordered, nor was any change per. ceptible ill his countenance. The Abbe Fir mont was dressed in black. A large open space had been kept around the scaffold-with cannon ranged on every side--while beyond, as far as the eye could reach, stood an unarmed multitude gazing.
 Descending from his carriage, Louis fixed his eve upon the soldiers who surrounded him and with an menaciug voice cried, Sllencei''
 The drums ceased to beat, but at . signal from their officer, the drnmmers went on.-- W hat treason is this?" he shouted, "I am lost!" It was evident up to this moment he had been clinging to hope.
 The exccutoner now approached to take of part of his clothes; he repulsed them iisrcely and removed the collar from his neck himself
 But all the blood in his body seemed turned into fire, when they sought to tie his hands.
 "Tie my hands!' he shrieked. A struggle was inevitable; it came. "It is indisputable," says Mercier, that Louis fought with his ex- ecutioners." The Abbe Edgeworth stood by, perplexed, mortified and speecbless.
 At last as his master seemed to look cnqur- ingly at him, he said, Sire in this additional outrage l only see last trait of the resemb- lance between you and your reward" At these words the indignation of the man gave way to the humility of the christian, and Lou Is said to the executioners: "I will drain the cup to the dregs." They tied his hands, they cut off his hair, and then, leaning on the arm of his confessor he began with slow tread and sunken aemeanor, to mount the steps then very stecp-of the gullotine. Upon the last step, however, he seemed suddenly to rouse, and walked rapidly across to the other side of the scaffold, when, by sign command ing silence, he exclaimed: II die innocent of the crime imputed to me-"
 His face was now very red, and according to the narrative of his confessor his voice was so loud that it could be heard as far as the Pout Tournant. Some other expressions were dis tinctly heard: " pardon the authors of my death, and pray heaven that the blood you are about to shed may never be visited upon France"
 lie was about 10 continue, when his voice was drowned by the renewed rolling of the drums, at a signal which was given by the CO., median Dugayon, in antci palos of tho orders of Santerre "Sence! be silent!" cried Louis XVI, losing all self.control and stamping vo- lently with his foot. Richard one of the exc cutioners, then seized pistol and took aim at the king. With difficulty fastened to the fa- tai plank, he continued to utter terrible cries only interrupted by the fall of the knife.