Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-22
FRANCE.
The Communist Trfals-A Grim
Farce, -.

NEW York, Aug. 20.-A correspond
ent of the London Times, writing from
Paris on the 9Th, says in regard to tt e
cOurtmariial for the trial of the Com
munists: 81 was Surprised at the wan: of
interest shown by the public. The place
was little more than half full, cour',
prisoners and newspapers reporters all
occupying q platform raised some feet
above the body of the hall. The men
have seen the day before in their prison
neglige, l now saw arrayed as for TIE
boulevards. The one idea evidently
dominant in their somewhat unprepos-
sessing countenances was so dear TO their
courtrymen generally, that eyes were
upon them, as they struck mock heroic
attitudes, ard then glanced furtively
around to see whether they had produced
the desired effect. They laughed ard
talked for effec. at the moment when the
indictments charged them with the heaVi-
es. offenses Ferre was particularly
tickled at the stress laid upon his COM
plicity in the murder of hostages, and
Asst was ripping over with jokes from
the beginning to the end of his acte d'ac-
cusation. Regere, with scrupulously- fit
ting gloves covering his small hands,
which he affectedly passed through his
carefully brushed hsir, with the stifsest
and whitest of shirt collars, stood for the
most part surveying the audience with a
bland and patronizing smile. 1t seemed
special pleasure to any of them to fiud
a ~ hn NJ - II
MIN in an affGble and familiar manner,
as though to resssu-e him, and then
laugh, perhaps because the friend showed
some confusion at the unwelcOme recog-
milton. In fact, they seemed TO regard
the whole affair as an elaborate and not
bad practical joke got up for their especial
benefit"
ASST at the Bar.
New YORK, Aug. 2I.-Late journals
just received by the foreign mails give
interesting details of the trials of the
Commune prisoners, in progress at Yer
sailles. During the examination of Asst
the following coll0quy took place:
The President said to Asst, 'fYou gave
the order for the assassination of Gems.
Lecomte and Thomas on the 18th of
March"
'It is false, " replied he.
"Were you not the chief of the Com
mune against the Governments"
eyes" said Asst; ''you attacked US and
we accepted the struggle"
Sand you voted for the massacre of
the hostagesl"
eyes" again was the firm reply; she
cause when at war it is necessary to re-
sort to retaliation.
Murmurs of indignation arose among
the audience, but Asst only smiled dis
painfully.
The President asked, ''Why did you
purchase sulphur coall You wished TO
burn down Paris"
The accused retorted by observing that
''they (the Iroops) had done their worst
by firing explosive shells into the city,"
ut is infamous ~ cried the public
prosecutor, greatly moved.
''You made acquisitions for petro-
Ieum ?"
sit was unnecessary to do So" replied |
Asst; ''the forts were full of it.
Asst, in answer to g question of the |
President, did not seem to deny utilization
10 the international Society. He admit
ed that he was member of the Central |
is FreemssOn, was at the
Central Committee on the 10th of March, |
was not at Rue Des Roseirs, knew
nothing of the executions of Gens. |
Thomas and Lacomte.
Asst went on to say that he had not |
opposed the law on hostages, but should |
himself have executed them. Had said |
the only way to save their brethren at |
Versailles was to threaten reprisals. An |
eye for an eye was bis maxim. Some |
)ne exclaimed, "YOu take three eyes for /
1ne" He had signed the decree for
pulling down the VendOme column. OH
,r DEGREES imputed to him he had not
signed, but admitted he had not protested
md never thought of resigning on account
If them.
The horrible details which are brought
% light at the trials created the profound
,st indignation among the French public.
The number of deaths in Paris last
week were S28, including one from
cholera.
n ~ tAAhst ~
VERSAILLES, Aug. 20-The statement
hat has been made that Paschsl Grous-
iett, in his examination before the court
martial, accused the United States Minis
er, Washburne, with harboring and pro-
Getting Prussisn subjects, is now contra
licted. Mr.. Groussett made no accuse
ion against Mr.. Washburne, but simply
his name in connection with
he quarrel between the Communists and
he Prusisn authorities.
Religious storm.
PARIS, Aug. 2l.-In the Assembly to-
lay stormy discussion was aroused by
religious expressions used by some of
he Deputies in their speeches at distri-
1ution of prizes in school at Lyons.
Jules Simon, who was present, made
speech in which he declared he should
,ver uphold the principles of morality.
sIOO.OOO-Is4s.
The Assembly Committee on the
Budget has agreed TO fixed the salary of
rhiers at 500, 00Of, with a credit for ordi-
lary expenses. The bill providing for
he dissolution of the present Assembly
sill soon be brought forward. The
Deputies on the left are preparing mani
tests demanding the restoration Of the
of lS4S.