National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-04-07
+" A Demonstration" In Paris.

The following is the description of q
scene in Paris A body Of 800 men were
dragging, well-dressed man, who, bare.
headed, was held by the collar by two
Chasseurs-a-piel. Loud cries of "To
the river p "He is an informer, spy
of Pietri's !" we're heard, while other
voices exclaimed. "They want to re.
store their bludgeon days. No pity
away with spies !" II was stated that
this person had been seen, pencil in
hand, noting down the numbers Of the
battalions which made their appearance
upon the place. Upon being questioned
by the two soldiers, he replied that it was
no business Of theirs, and II was asserted
that he struck ut them with casse-tete.
He was then seized, searched, and upon
him were found revolver and papers
proving that he belonged to the Police.
This discovery exasperated the crowd,
and the unhappy man was dragged to-
ward the canal, into which he was about
to be cast when some better-disposed
persons thrust him into the guard house,
and the officer commanding the post
ordered the gates to be closed. The
quays were thonged with an excited and
furious crowd, who demanded the sur
render of the prisoner, and the execution
of the popular sentence. The officer
climbed upon the ratings and explained
to the mob that it was his duty to retain
the prisoner i'll order that he might be
conveyed to the Prefecture, and be-
sought them to be calm. His exhor-
tation was not listened to- Cries of
"They want to let him escape ~ "Give
him up to us y drowned his voice. Some
Foot Chasseurs got over the ratings and
were followed by many of the crowd,
and recaptured the poor wretch, whom
the National Guards on duty made no
effort to save. Blows fell thickly upon
him he was hustled and kicked, and
appeared almost dead. There were at
that time about 10000 persons collected
on the Place de la Bastille but, al
though those who called for the death
of their victim only numbered 400 or
800, OF whom great proportion were
mere gamins, no attempt was made to
prevent the execution of their blood
thirsty decree. The prisoner was drag
ged toward the Boulevard Bourbon, he
begging to be allowed to shoot himself.
The chasseurs who held him put him in
to a bench, and submitted the question
to the crowd. "Will you allow the
prisoner to blow out his brains with his
own revolver ?" "No p was the re-
sponse, followed by cries of To the
water with him p A move was then
made toward the Quai Henri w.. and
there, doubling whether their victim
might be able to swim, they took the pre-
caution of tying his arms and legs, and
IN that condition he was carried as
mere bundle on to barge, whence they
lung him into the river. The current
Immediately bore away the helpless man,
1t which showers of stones were hurled.
Some men belonging to river steamers
attempted to cast life-buoys to the drown
ing man, but they We're driven off by the
furious execrations of the mob, and
Ultimately desisted. The body drifted
lnder the piling at the point of the lie
st. Louis and was no more seen. These
lorrible scenes lasted for upwards of two
lours. Upon the Quai Henri w., two
,ersons who ventured to explain against
hese brutal proceedings, were them
elves assailed IS police spies, and threat
ned with death. Other persons were
imilarly treated, and barely saved them
elves by opportune flight. In the
1eantime the Place de la Bastile con-
nued to be thronged, and the cafes and
'ine-shops drove hourishing trade"