Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-06-14
THE COMMUNE.
A Brief Outline on the Origin and
Progress OF the Movement.

Ii is difficult 10 determine whether the
Commune was the creature Of accident
or design, SO exceedingly fortuitous were
the circumstances from which opportuni-
ty it sprung. On the acceptance of the
preliminaries of peace with Germany by
the Assembly, March l, barracades were
erected in MOntmartre, Beileyille and La
Chappelle. in apprehension of disturb
ances with the Germans who were TO
enter Paris under the terms of the treaty.
The following day, March 3, the Ger
mans marched in, but no disturbance &C
CURED. On Friday they left, and all re-
strict;ons on communication With the city
were removed, and Paris began to as
sumo its ordinary appearance. The
journals resppesred and exhorted the
people to give all the aid possible TO
the government in restoring order, by
remaining quiet themselves, Regular
troops from the provinces began to ar
rive soon after to relieve the Gardes Mo
biIes returning to their rural homes
Gen. dc Palladires, on the 9Th OF March,
assumed command Of the Garde Nation
ale Of Paris, issuing an address asking
their CO operation in maintaining order.
The assembly was still in session at Bor
deaux, discussing the question of the flu
turs seat of government. Slight disturb.
ances occurred in Paris, and an indispo
sition TO hold the sessions of the assembly
there was developed. An assurance was
given by the mayors Of the city that the
cannon still in the hands of the Garde
Rationale, of MontmartTe and BelleIiile,
at Montmartre, would be surrendered
without trouble, and couciliatory policy
was adopted toward the malconteuts.-
The officers of the BeIleville GaIdes held
an interview with Gen. de Palladines
which seemed satisfactory.
The assembly, on the 10th of March,
voted by 4O7 to 1O4 to hold its sessions
at Versailles after the goth. The gar
risOn of Paris at this time consisted of
40 900 troops from the army of the
Loire, and the MOntmartris!s still he'd
their Az cannon, not by force, but be-
cause the government made no effort to
take them. They were guarded by only
a few seuliDels. A strong hand WAS
kept on violent journals, and ha.f dozen
were Suppressed by Gen. Vinoy in one
day. but tie attitude Of the Montmarirists
was not considered as threatening. The
10th Of March was named. however, as
the day on which they should deliver up
their cannon. but in this they failed. =
The government still refrained fIom using
force. Ga the l7th the battalion of
Gardes in charge of the guns were super
seied by another less open to suspicion
OF disloyalty to the government. From
this point dstrust of the assembly appears,
and some Of the guns were removed to
Belleville. The hill Of Montnartre was
surrounded by troops under Gen. Faron,
aud at midnight the geRs d'armeS took
possession of the cannon, arresting 400
prisoners. A Gordon OF troops surround
ei the hill, the approaches to which were
defended by mitrsIleuses. The troops
were surrounded by groups of angry
people, who asked why the government
dis:rusted tue people, aud if the troops
meant to massacre them. No reply was
made by the guards, and a general fra
termination followed. AS fresh troops
arrived thev also affiliated with the null
titude, and in a short time the Garde
Rationale occupied the hill, shouting
" Vive la Republique." Gen. Faron was
surrounded but with a small farce cut his
way out. Gems. lie COmte and Clement
Thomas were less fortunate, and were
made prisoners and. after the mOckery of
trial, were shot. NJ. Assy of the In
ieFnntionale Society Of Vorkingmen, was
President Of the Military Court.
No definite purpose was apparent
other than was shown by clamors against
the assembly at Bordeaux. The staff
and headqusrter buildings of the Garde
Rationale were occupied, however, ard
the movement rapidly grew TO formidable
proportions A GENITAL Commute of the
Garde Rationale issued a proclamation.
declaring the government driven out OF
Paris, and the people invoked the Com
munal elections. The JOurRat Offciel
announced that the men of the barra
cades had taken possession of the Min
iStry of Justice and assassinated Generals
lie Connie aud Thomas; but of whom
the central eommitte consisted was then
declared 10 be unknown. While the
government contented itself with issuing
proclamatious, the Nationals were active
and occupied Forts Issy, WAIVERS, and
Bicetre, and March 20h issued its +" Of
fetal Journal of the Republican Fedora
ton" A manifesto, claiming to be the
voice OF 2l5 battaIlious of the Garde
Rationale, declared they were opposed
to- disturbance, and accused the govern
melt of imposing commander on them
and committing other tyrannieal acts.
Some indication of a reaction appeared,
and the Mayor of Paris refused TO con
cur in the measure for an election. This
WAS of short duration, and obnoxious
mayors were expelled. Names began to
appear prominently in connection with
the movement, AMI Gen. Cluseret is seen
in the Ministry of War. LuIlier is nom
mated General Of the Nationals, and
Sanglier, Delegate Minister of Foreign
Affairs. RanvIer and Flourens appear
signed to manifestoes demanding an army
composed wholly of the Garde Rationale.
A quiet interval permits the holding
of elections on Sunday, March 90, and
IL o.,,,,,,,unirts carry tho citv huf out Of