The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-12-15
PR ESS,
FRIDAY MORNING, DEC. Is, 1871.
The Execution Of Rossel and hia A.

SOciates.
From the PaIis Correspondent of the N. v r,,,..
A few days ago M. Thier, received the chi
nese Embassy, sent to apologize for the mur-
ders of Tienstein, and began his reply as
follows: "You tell me-" said he to the chief
ambassador, "of the numerous punish
ments inflicted on the guilty. The French
nation is too humane to take pleasure in the
shedding of blood. 1t demands only that Sc
curity which is necessary to restrain the wick
ed, and it believes that to rigorous measures
Others of very different character must be
added. 1t is the duty of governments, while
repressing the excesses of the populace, to
calm its passions, to dispel its prejudices, and
to bring it to the voice of reason and human
ity." A few hours after this sharp lecture to
the astonished Celestials, M. Thiers signed
the death warrant of Rossel and Ferre. The
friends of the President have frequently cir
culated the report that he used all his in
fiuence to save Rossel, but very few will be-
lieve his tale, for no one can forget that the
right of pardon legitimately belongs to the
sovereign or the Executive, and that it was
at his own demand that a commission was
appointed to take the responsibility. When
1t Is shown that NJ. Thiers has failed to have
his own way in any one small point, or failed to
carry any measure he desired, we can have a
little more patience in listening to his friends
when they try to relieve him from all blame
in the matter. Such is the view taken in
private conversation, but the Journals do not
dare to criticise. Another journal has been
added to the list of suppressions, and there is
very general fear, which is very plainly, al
most ludicroE5iy, Seen from day to day. But
in givirg their romantic and touching ac-
counts OF the exscItion, they have done the
government more harm than if they criticised
openly. Everywhere that have visited to-
day have found women in tears, and even
men are not ashamed to show their emotion
at the death of Rossel There is some hing
terrible in the idea of keeping these men
waiting for death for near six months time.
and then shooting them in cold blood, for if
any OF them were to be shot it should have
been done promptly and without an hours
delay. Rossel was found in precisely the case
OF Armand Carrel, who joined the Republi-
cans in Spain, leaving the French army for
the purpose. Carrel was acquitted. The
two men were similar in many respects, but
Rossel had more military genius. Had they
not killed him have no doubt that he would
have been one of the most distinguished of
ficers OF the French army. His two volumes,
written when in prison, upon army organiza-
ton, remain to show what kind of man he
was. But Rossel chose the wrong side, like
many officers who joined the Confederates,
and for this fault he was yesterday shot to
death, in company with Ferre and a Sergeant
of the line named Bourgeois.
THE PRISONERS NOTIFIED.
1t was not until Monday, after his return
from Rouen, that M. Theirs signed the
death warrants. Twenty-four hours must
elapse before the execution, but the prisoners
are not informed until the morning. About
3 o'clock a crazy man in cell adjoining Ros-
sers set up fearful cry, arousing the prison
ers, and bringing all the guardians of the
prison. When the Advocat Jolly entered the
cell he found Rossel sleeping and touched him
lightly on the shoulder.
"Ahr' he said, recognizing M. Jolly, and
raising himself upon his elbow, then it is
for this morning?"
eyes," replied NJ. Jolly.
cat what hour?"
'They will come for you at O'clock"
"For-P
"For Z o clock"
'What so short time! And what clock
is it now?''
"Halfp past four"
"Ah! you promised to notify me sooner.
WelP'-"
Seeing the emotion of NJ. Jolly, Rossel tried
to comfort him. Soon after the pastor,
Passa, entered
There was an affecting scene between them
Rossel, always calm, reproaching them for
their tears. He related the alarm Of the morn
ing.
'.What did you do9" asked the pastor.
81 rose"
''You thorcht it was for Ferre?''
eyes, and me; 1 dressed myself''
= Rossel had /, sope; his sisters were hope
full even the even before. Wishing to be
alone to say his dew lions, Rossel asked the
company to leave him, but the guardian re-
fused. Rossel complained a little since he
was so soon to die, but soon recognized that
the man was only obeying orders. He prayed
for some time at the side of his bed, then
rose to arrange his papers, and to give to the
pastor the last directions concerning his
books, his manuscript, and letters to his pa
rents, his sisters and his betrothed. The pas
tor then administered the communion. Col.
hossel, the father, is Puritan. The moth
e er Is ocotch woman-a Campbell-and .ths--
family has ma many relatives nov bbs5soSS1;ng Ros-
land. ThrOughont a,-.---. my - nus,
of his remarks are mahy ana 'ouchlhS.. can
not give all of the yfison scenes.
Tt was A cold dark, November morning, a
heavy fog obsedring everything at 81, and the
street laIspS were still lighted During this
time Ferre had dressed himself with unusual
care, putting pomade upon his hair, and
spending a long time in brushing his clothes.
n DTlcSt Cdluc W occ ulIll. EdTIc was Sll1Oh-
ing, and replied to the priests offer to pray
with him, "Wait bit, can't you, there is no
hurry but after time he took the cigar
from his lips, and said: ''No! materialst /
have lived, and materialist will die" He
wrote letter to his sister reiterating this
phrase. Bourgeois rose jauntily from his bed,
made his ablutions like soldier, then listen
ed to the consolation of the priest. After
this he lighted cigar, and went out jauntlly,
II l;,I,f mil FOR md NIT bic Ion
cooked upon one ear. He was cool, but there
was no bravado about him, while Ferre SEEM
ed to be constantly searching for effect. Be-
fore six o'clock large detachments of troops
were under arms, and occupying the camp OF
Sartory and its approaches. The three con-
demned were carried in ambulance wagons,
but very slowly, it being still dark, and the
horses feet slipping often upon the frosty
road. Genddrmes were stationed upon the
route to turn back the crowd, and to stop all
passage after the wagons.
A few moments after the wagons had passed
tall, straight, soldierly old gentleman wear
ing the rosette of the Legion d. dHonneur, ask
ed leave to pass and was refused. 1t was the
father of Rossel who then knew ALL Turning
in his tracks he seized the arm OF friend and
cried ike one distracted: ''They are going to
assassinate my sonny brave boy! All! II
all the off GERS had been like him we shoulo
not be where we are now." The poor old
soldier rushed away even then to break into
the Cabinet of M. Thiers, but to no end, OF
course, and for the rest of the evening he was
wandering about the streets OF Versailles cry
ing: ''They have murdered my sonny only
son." Fearing that this touching spectacle
might raise an meute, large number OF
troops were kept under arms, but the public
emotion was expressed in tears.
The moon was still visible through the
and thence into both ears, poor Twain in the
mean time snorting and sputtering like a
steam engine blowing off steam. In vain he
protested that he did not want his eyebrows
and forehead shaved. ''Keep STILL" says
Jake. II know my business" After soap
ing him until he looked like an albino, Jake
laid ON the blade. The first stroke brought
tears to Twain's eyes. The second brought
him to sitting position with an exclamation,
81 say, that razor is too dull to shave me
with" clay down." says Jake, thrusting
him down into chair again; ''that razor
will cut hair; know my business" Twain
groaned, and Jake pulled until the beard
was OIL, and good portion of the skin with
it. After shaving, Jake proceeded to wash
him up, selecting the dirtiest towel in the
shop, one that was used for wiping off hair
dye, and was as spotted as Joseph's coat.
Jake soused the water in his eyes and nos
trils, and then wiped him off. The specta-
tors by this time were unable to control their
laughter, and burst out iuto loud peals, in
which Jake heartily joined. Twain saw the
joke, but kept quiet. When Jake told him
his hair was coming out, and offered to sell
him bottle of hair restorative, price SO per
bottle, Twain replied "Well, rather want my
hair to fall out, have too much for comfort"
lake then offered to sell him hottie of s.hloono