The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-04-15

perstitiOus terror Of his execution Is beyond
conception. On the other hand, il il next
to impossible that the Emperor should grant
q pardon, on the account of the numeOus
victims whom he would seem TO disregard.
| Opinions are various some of Louis Ma
pOlcon's stanchest friends advise him instant.
ly to pardon Orsini, and take up the cause
Of the independence Of Italy; others, on the
contrary, tell him be is forever lost in France
if he does so, for that the public will instant
ly see he has acted under the influence of
deadly fear.
Since writing the above we have received
the following graphic and interesting ac-
count Of the execution of OasINI and PIERRI.
in the Paris correspondence Of the London
Times:
SCENES NEAR THE sCAFPoLD AT DAyBREAK.
This morning the weather was bitterly
cold, and the ground wet from the snow
which had fallen. The sky was covered
with clouds Of slate color, and under that
dismal canopy dark grey mists, transparent
like funeral Grape, were daifting about. The
streets in the more distant parts of the city
were deserted but as you neared the quar-
ter contiguous to the prison, detached squads
Of Sergens de Vile might be seen moving
towards the same direction, the occasional
fash of bayonets in the gaslight was dis
cernible, and nearer still the vague mass,
without form or outline, and heaving 10 aud
fro, showed that the awful moment was ap.
preaching. Now and then butchers or a
or o market gardeners cart, with its red
lamb in 'front.' rolled heavily along, and with
difficulty made its way though the crowd
Many Of the spectators had brought their
breakfasts with them; they had their Ioavcs
under their arms, their pipes in their mouths.
Some men were grave and serious, and spoke
in low tone Of voice Others jcsted and
laughed, and many observed that the pris-
oners well deserved their fate. About fif
teen PAGES from the gate Of the prison the
scaffold was erected, and on it rose the in
strument Of death, the name Of which re-
calls so many terrible associations. There
II stood on its platform like ladder, with
out steps--the block with the hole for the
head to enter, at the lower end at the up
per the heavy knife Of triangular SHAPE with
its edge like a razors hard by it the shell
for the body after decapitation, and in front
the basket for the head the cord by which
the blade is kept suspended, the frame work
painted a dull red, just dscernod in the dis
NAL glimmering Of winters morning, all
presented q most hideous spectacle.
TIE coSyIcTs RousED PROM SLEEP BY THE
CLERGY.
Precisely at o'clock Orsini and Pierri
were awoke from their sleep by the Gov.
ernor Of the prison, who announced that
their hour was come. The Able Hugon
chaplain of the Roquette, and the chaplain
Of the Conciergerie. were present. do not
profess 10 give particulars Of what passed
within the walls Of the cell, but NAV oh.
serve that the wretched men appeared calm
when the news which could not have taken
them by surprise, was announced 10 them.
! am assured that they heard mass and re-
ceived the communion with respect if not
devotion. Soon after they were taken 10
the room called de h to,ie''e for the change
Of dress. 1t is not large. On the present
occasion it contained besides the chaplain.
and the Governor Of the prison about thirty
persoiis, the principal among whom were the
greifier, or clerk, representing the court Of
! Assize, and the huissicr, usher who wa.
charged with reading the sentence on the
scai'od. The remainder were apparently
police agents.
DRESSING FOR rIg scAYYoiD.
When the convcts entered the d,arLrede
! Ia toilette, they were placed at different ex
treme,ics Of il, with their backs turnerI 20
each other There were two assistant exc.
cutioners-one from Rouen the other from
/ Caen-besidQs bim Of Paris These lost no
time in preparing the conyicts for the scaf
/ told During the dreadful operation Orsini
remained calm and, though he was not 20
loud or contradictory az during his trial. ii.
| erri was somewhat excited The straight
waIs'coat interfcred with his gesticulations,
but be hardly csascl talking for a moment.
When the executioner was pinioning him, he
asked that the fastenngs shOuld n0t b.
drawn too tight, as he had 10 intention u
escaping. The cold touch 0, the stcrl on
his neck when the sciszors cut Of hi. hair,
- as not 10 interfere with the gujllotine, for
an instant appaare1 TO ihrill through him
/ but he recovered himself when b. 'ouod that
/ his bard was left untouched lie ,hao.al
( the cxccutiouer for letting him die with bi-
: facf a. became man When the hood. 10
i which the veil which coyers the faa.ures Of
the parricide ii slspcD'ied. was pat over his
head h. il ssid 20 have laughed. and at,ernr.
tod joke abou. The figure be mas, cut. 4,
this morneu, he turned bis head and p.r
ceived Orsini be sa!uiei him gaily, and
aske1 how h. wa getting on. IL was ip-
terrup,si by Orsini wko was him9.lf under.
going the Same OPERATION wi,h The sane ung
tro'd as " he were ubier the hanis ola va
ie. dressing for party, with tie words, "Be
calm, he calm, my friend" PIerri's tongue
ran on, however The assi..an, pro1ssjed
70 strip him Of hs sho4s, for in pgr-sancs
d the sutence they were TO proceed TO the