Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-06-05

DESTRUCTION OF THE COLUMN YEN.
DOME

aat DOME.
Long before two O'Clock the street was SO
crowded that it was with the greatest difficulty
that and two friends elbowed our way through
the densely packed masses of people. How
ever, was not sorry to go slowly, as was
anxious to hear the general opinion as to the
destruction of one Of the proudest tributes to
French arms. Most of the people I spoke
with seemed to be quite Indifferent as to the
work OF destruction. They hated Napoleon,
and appeared to think they were really doing
something to hinder the return-now only too
possible-of "Badinguet" to France by France
by overturning the statue Of his uncle No
one was admitted on the Place Vend3me it.
self without special ticket issued by the
Committee of Public Safety. Furnished with
such ticket, was able to penetrate to the
Place Vendome and observe the preparations
which had been made for the fall of the fa-
nous column. They seemed at FIST sight
totally inadequate for so vast an undertaking.
A large cable had been passed around the top
OF the column just below the statue; this rope
Cor rather these ropes, for there were four of
them) was attached to an anchor and capstan
In the Rue de la Paix. But the anchor and
capstan were both so exceedingly badly fixed
in the ground that twas evident to the most in
experienced observer that, unless the column
Tell OF Its own weight, something was sure to
give way In the tackling. The engineer, how
ever, like most Frenchmen, was wonderfully
self-eonfident, and assured every one who
chose to listen to him that the column would
TALL whenever he gave the word for the ropes
to be tightened. At about 8 o'clock we in the
Place were all driven back on to the sidewalks
by a line of guards, while squadron of the
newly organized Cavalry of the Commune
hp H., ~ ~. D.
la Paix.
Col Mayer, who commanded in the Place
Vendome, then ascended the column in full
uniform of the National Guards, with small
trl-color flag in his hand After walking
around the gallery at the top of the column
and waving his flag to all the quarters of the
heavens, Col. Mayer then tore the bunting
and proceeded to tie it point downward to the
rails surrounding the crowning gallery. Hay-
ing accomplished this feat, he took off his cap,
shook his fist at the statue of Napoleon above
him, and cried out Vire la Commune. He
then came down and the order to tighten the
rope was almost Immediately given by men,
Der OF the Commune standing in the balcony
OF the Ministry of Justice just above where 1
was stationed. Rapidly the big ropes became
as rigid as bars OF steel; all eyes were turned
towards the column, and we all thought
Its hour had come, more especially because
rapidly passing cloud made it look as
II 1t already trembled on its base But the
capstan turned without effect, when suddenly
loud crack was heard, and block attached
to the capstan gave way, knocking over sew
eral sailors. Nobody, however, was badly
hurt, but we were told that nothing could be
done for two hours, as a new block must be
obtained.
There were no less than three bands on the
nE 20 <,,Vr~
console us for our disappointment, and the
Cavalry of the Commune proceeded to cara
cole on the place, to the no small amusement
OF the spectators. One or two horsemen
were very near kissing mother earth, but by
dlnt OF great gymnastic ability contrived tc
retain their seats. The person most to be
pited at this moment was poor Col. Mayer,
who looked very small indeed. What dread
ful thing for the poor Colonel if, after all his
acting, the column were to decline to fall.
About five o'clock it was announced that all
was ready, and two new ropes were attached
to the top of the column in order to shake it
so as to add to the steady tensions of the ropes
already described. At . 20 the six ropes be-
gan to tighten, amid breathless expectations
from the assembled thousands. For nearly
hye minutes no effect whatever seemed to be
produced on the majestic column, which still
rose against the bright blue sky as bold and
majestic as ever, and seeming to defy fate and
the Commune. The men at the capstan
strained and sweated, and the engineer ran
about from capstan to column and from col
umn to capstan like one demented. A band
played the Narseillaise at the rate of two bars
to second. Suddenly there was a cry of "H
tombe," and surely and slewly the huge bronze
mass bowed and fell toward the Rue de la
PaiN, and fell on its bed of faggots, sand and
dung. Strange to say, as it fell it burst into
three or four pieces before it touched the
ground. Striding the bed with loud report,
1t hurled the faggots and even pieces of the
bas-reliefs right and left. A huge cloud of
dust arose at once, but the crowd rushed mad
ly forward to secure relics of the fallen monu
ment Like flies on carcass we were all
busy in ten seconds after the column had fall
en- in securing pieces of its remains. Before
the dust had fairly cleared away, Mayer and
several members of the Commune We're to be
seen frantcally waving red flags from the
empty pedestal, and shrieking Pare la COM
muae. Bergeret scrambled upon the pros
trate column, and made speech abusing the
First Napoleon, whose statue lay broken and
PROSTATE before him. Rochefort also attempt
ed to make himself heard from the top of the
pedestal, but the dust seemed to have got
into his throat and no one could hear what he
said. Slowly the crowd dispersed and as
Quilted the Rue de la Paix, heard bystand-
er say, "Ah, it is always true of us Gauls,
that lG ltctis Is ever our motto. Had
Badingute but won a victory on the Rhine
they would have gilt the old column and put
up bigger one than ever to the man they now
despise." Perhaps he was not far from right.
Nothing succeeds like success" is true
ESQ