The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-05-26
OBITUARY.
Mgr. Darboy, Archbishop of Paris.

cable telegram from Versailles states that on
Tuesday night the Archbishop OF Paris, ten hos
tages, and nearly fifty priests, were murdered In
cold blood by the Communists at Mazas prison. As
this announcement comes in the shape OF
special despatch to the New York World,
which Is exceedingly given to sensationalism
in its European specials, there is some probability
that 1t is nothing more than street rumor aud that
the wretches who have laid the finest buildings of
Paris in ashes have not been guilty Of this crowning
infamy. II it should prove true that Archbishop
Darboy and his companions in pri,on have been
murdered, as stated, the Communal revolt OF 1870
will deserve to outrank the Reign OF Terror of the
First Revolution in downright infamy.
Georges Darboy, D. D., born at Fayl- -Billot, In
the Department Of Haut-Marne, on the 10th Of
January 1913, being fellow-countryman OF Mgr.
Morlot. He was for some time Professor OF Philo-
sophy and Dogmatic Theology in the Ecclesiastical
Seminary OF Langres. In 1916 he went to Paris,
where he was appointed by Mgr. A1ire chaplain to
the College Henri w. Mgr. Slbour made him homo
rary vicar with the mission OF inspecting the re-
gious instruction in the colleges OF the diocese.
These different functions brought him in relation
with very large number Of families, and procured
him friends in various quarters. In 1854 he accom-
panied Mgr. Sibour to Rome to take part in the def
milton of the dogma OF the Immaculate Conception;
was named by the Emperor to the Episcopal See OF
Nancy in 1859; and was promoted to the Archepis-
copate OF Paris in January, 1858. He is known as
the author of Lies Femmes de la Blble," "LIntro-
ductien a Limitation de Jesus Christ" and other
works. Mgr. Darboy received the Cross OF the Le-
gloA of Honor, August IL, 1860, and was promoted
Grand Oficer, August a. 1868.
Archbishop Darboy has long enjoyed the reputa-
ton of being a man OF extremely liberal views,
both as the head OF the see OF iris and as men,
ber Of the French Senate under the Empire, which
position he held by virtue OF his archiepiscopal Of
| flee. In November 1867, he made
speech the Roman question
| which created profound sensation and served to
| ALLEVIATE him from the Pope and the favor OF the
Roman hierarchy. The liberal position taken by
him in the Hyacnhe troubles, last year, tended but
| little to restore him to Papal favor.
Since then the Archbishop had not appeared pro-
minenty in public affairs until the outbreak OF the
| Communal revolt. On the Tth OF April he was ar
| rested by the Communal authorities in company
with his sister and the cures OF several Paris
churches Every article of value IN their habitations
was carried on, their residences being literally
sacked. The Archbishop was conducted to Mazas
prison, where he was immured In a cell about six
feet by ten in dimensions and lighted by one small
| window. He was allowed to receive his food from
his friends outside the prison, but that was about
the only privilege accorded him. He was not per-
mitted to see any newspapers or to receive in any
way intelligence OF passing events MrWashOurne,
the American Minister, who was permitted to visit
him on April 23, was the first person from outside
| the prison that he suffered to see. Mr.. Wash
buTne on that day iAterceded in his behalf but
| could extract no concessions from the Communal
leaders, who declared that the Archbishop
held simply a hostage, save the permission to
visit him freely at any time. Previous to the visit OF
Mr.. Washburne, the Archbishop made an appeal TO
President Theirs TO stop the crueties with the per-
petration Of which the Commune accused the Ver-
sailles Government. His appeal was couched In
touching terms. "This request" he wrote, "comes
from the heart OF man who OF late has seen much
misery. 1t comes from French heart which bleeds
at the misfortunes OF our own country. II
comes from a religious heart, ready to sac
rnce everything, even life, to those whom God
has made his mock and fellow-citlzen." in re-
sponse to this appeal, NJ Theirs wrote letter TO the
Archbishop, characteriZing the allegations Of cru
city on the part OF the legitimate government as
absolutely false.
NSubsequent to Mr.. Washburnes ntercesson il
behalf OF the Archbishop, the German authorities
made an effort to save him from the fate which
hung over HIM as long as he was In the power OF the
Communists threatening to interfere In the struggt
between the Government and the Commune in cast
OF any mishap to the Archbishop. Mgr Darboy re
NAMED secure until the entrance OF the Versailtst
into the city, on the 21st instant, and the whol'
civilized world will await with anxiety the confirm
alton denial of the report OF his brutal murder.
IL is noteworthy fact that Archbishop Darboy, 1
he has been murdered, Will be the third Archbishop
OF Paris who has met violent death within quar-
ter OF century. His predecessor, Mgr. Anre, wal
brutay during the troubles OF June, ls4s, afte
he had taken his stand on barricade, armed onll
with his golden cross and an olive branch, to plead
for peace between the combatants; ana still later
snother Archbishop OF Paris was assassinated IL
church.