The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1868-05-21
JOAN ON ARC

1t was the oil OF ulviue origin which |
ouickeued the devout heroism OF the
Maid Of Orleans, and impellcd her to
clear, by her valiant arm, the ROAD to
Rheims. After the brilliant sci sc Of
Orleans, and when the English were
stunned with tho blow, she declared for
an immediate march to the "sacred
city," with Charles VII, that he might
be Amounted king with the sacred oil.
The English had made great mistake,
when by their early victories they
might have crowned their young Henry
vi. at Rheims, in neglecting to perform
an act Of such vital Importance to the
cause. Joan of Arc, by her valor at
Orleans, has now tho opportunity OF
anticipating the enemy, and this she
determined to do.
Her proposition was deemed rash by
the leaders of the French army. Net
voice was for her. Tho politicians
and the strong heads of the council
smiled they we're for going slowly and
surely, that is to say, that the English
MIGHT have time to resume their cour-
age. These counsellors all gave inter-
tcrestcl opinions. The Duke Of Allen
con was for marching to Normandy to
reconquer Alencon, and others this or
that way, as their interests prompted.
The advice Of the ardent Maid was
not needed until again victorious at Pa
tay; but even now objections were urg-
ed, and on s.riving before Troyes OBJ
stacles, which seemed insurmountable,
presented themselves, and gave mo-
mentary triumph to the party Of tempo
rizers. The king had no artillery or
provisions.
ave can take the town in three
days." declared the resolute Joar Of
Arc.
1--WE would readily wait SIX said
the Chancellor, ''if We were sure Of the
truth Of what you say"
"Six You shall be there tomorrow"
rejoiued the Maid.
The town was taken, and Joan Of Arc
earned at all points," leading the way
and fastening on the king with unccas-
ing diligence. On arriving at Rheims,
the Maid, who entered the city with
the king and his people, was greatly re-
garded and the Dukes Of Bar and OF
Lorraine, and the Lord of Commercy,
accompanied by goodly array Of war
riors, came and offered their services
to her.
On the next day, which was Sunday,
it was determined that the consccra.
ton should take place. During the
night preparations were made with
such diligence that everything, marvel
lous to say, was ready in the morning.
AS the Able of St. Remi, its guardian,
is not accustomed to deliver the sacred
ampulla, except With certain foru:
and ceremony, the king sent the lord Of
Rails, the mareschal of France, the lord
of Grevllle, the master Of the Bowman,
the lord of Culant, the high admiral Of
France, to get it. After having taken
the usual oath they would conduct the
holy ampulla in safely to the church
and back again to the abbey, the Able
clothed in all his ecclesiastical robes, &C.
companied them, bearing it to the door
cfthe Cathedral Here the Archbish-
op, with his canons, received the am
.pulla, and taking it within the great
church laid it upon the hi Oh altar
Charles VII. now came clothed in
the proper robes for the service, and
was Amounted and consecrated King OF
France. The Maid Of Orleans was by
his side, holding her standard in her
hand. "She was, in fact" says the
old chronicler, whose authentic record
is the basis of this description, ''the
cause of this conservation, and OF the
great assemblage. WAen the sacred
ampulla had been borne away, to be ta-
ken back again to the abbey of St. Re-
mi, all who saw the Maid embrace the
legs Of the kneeling king and kiss his
foot, weeping hot tears, were moved to
pity. She melted many to weep when
she said: Gentle king, now the will Of
God is done, who caused you to come
to Rheims to receive your conservation,
and thereby show that you are the true
king to whom the kingdom should be-
long '-We Champagne Country.