The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-03-18
EXECUTION OF LOUIS XVI,

AT ten minutes past ten they reached the
foo, of the scafloId. II had been erecled In
front OF the palace of the Tuileres, in the
square called after Louis XIV, and near tho
spot where stood the statute of the most i'm.
pure OF kings--a king who died tranquility in
his bed. The condemned man was three
minutes descending from the carriage. Upon
quitting the Temple he had refused The red.
ingo,e which Clery had offered to him and
row appeared in brown coat, white waist
coat gray breeches and while Stockings
His hair was not disordereJ, nor was ary
change percepnble in his counlenauce. The
Abbe Firmont was dressed IN black. A large
open space had been kept round the scafIold
with cannon ranged on all sides while be-
yont, as far as the eye could reach stood an
lnarmcd multitude. The executoner had
opened the door OF the coach, aud, descend
ing, Louis fixed his eyes upon the soldiers
who surrounded him, aud, with q terrible
voice, cried "sience - The drums ceased
10 beat but al a signal from the officer the
drammers again went on. "What treason
il this = he shouted. q am lost am los.u
For it was evident that, up 10 this moment,
he had been ciinsius 10 hope. The execu-
iioners now approached 10 take on a rat of
his cloIhes; he repulsed them fiercely, aud
himself removed The collar from his neck
But all The blood in his body seemed to be
turned into fire when they sought to tie his
hands. "Tie my hands " he shreked. A
struggle was ineviiable-it came. II is in.
disputable, says Mercier, that Louis fought
with his execu!ioners. The Able Edge
worth stood by, perpleSed Mortified, speech.
less. AT las: his master seemed 10 look in
qniriusly at him, he said, 'Sir in this addi-
tional outrage only see last trai, of tue re-
sembance between your majesty and the
God who will give You your reward.n
a, these words, indignation of the nan
gave way 10 the humility of the Christian,
ard Louis said 10 his execu,ioners, "I will
drain The cup 10 the dregs." They tied his
hands, they cut off his hair, and then, lean
ing on the arm of his conlessor be began,
with slow tread and sinking demeanor, TO
mount the steps, then very steep, of The gull
loiine. Upon the last step, however, he
seemed suddenly 10 rouse, and walked rapid
ly across 10 the other side OF the scafTolj
when, by sign commanding silence, he
exclaimed, 81 die innocent Of the crimes i'm
pu,ed 10 me-" His face was now very red,
and, according 10 the narrative of his confes-
sor, his voice was SO loud that il could be
heard through the streets as far as the Ponl
Tournament. Some other expressions were
distinctly heard: "I pardon The authors of
my death and pray hsaven that the blood
you are about 10 shed may never be visited
upon France" He was about TO continue,
when his voice was drowned by the renewed
rolling of the drums, at signal which it is
affirmed, was given by the comedian Duga-
you, in anticipation of the orders OF Saterre.
"Silence be silent J" cried Louis XIV, losing
all selfcontr and stamping violently with
his foot. Richard, one Of The execulioners,
then seized pistol, and took aim al the
King. 1t was necessary 10 drag hun along
by force. With difficulty fastened the fatal
plank, he continued to utter horrible cries on
ly interrupted by the fall of the knife, which
Instantly struck off his head. Samson raised
it aloft, and showed il 10 The people. And
the people shouted, "Lons live the Repu5-
lic!"-Louis Blanc's History of the French Rev
olution.