The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1872-02-15
Beheadang of Louis XVI.

AT ten minutes past ten 10 the proces Sion
reached tho foot Of the scafold.. It had
been erected in|font of the palace of the
Tuieries, in hessquarc called after Louis
XIV, and near the spot where stood the statue
of the most corrupt of kings-.-a king who
died tranquility in his bed. The condemned
was three minutes descending from his car.
riage. Upon auitting the Temple he had
refused the redfpsote which Clcry had oifer-
cd him, and nov appeared in brown coat,
white waistcoat gray breeches and white
stockings. Bis hair was not disordered, nor
was any chahgcs sperceptible in his counten-
ance. The Able Firmont was dressed in
black. A large space had been kept open
around the scafold, with cannon ranged on
every side, .whlaSbeneath, as far as the eye
could reach, .ssd an unarmed multitude gaz-
ing. Z
Descending from thccarriage, Louis fixed
his eyes ,npou the soldiers who surrounded
him, and with a:{menacing voice cried
"Silencep' The drums ceased to beat, but
at signal from their officer, the drummers
again went on. "What treason is this" he
shouts; II am lost am lost p For it was
evident that up to this moment he had been
clinging to hope. ! ...
The executioners now approach to take
off part Of his clothes he repulscd them
fercely, and himself removed the collar from
mis- neck. But all the blood in his frame
seemed to be turned into fire when they
sought to tie his hands "Tie my hands,"
he shricked. A struggle was inevitable-it
came. ut is indisputable," says Morcier,
"that Louis XVI, fought with his execution
crs." The Abbc Edgeworth stood by per-
picked, Mortified, speechless.
At last as his masters seemed to look
inquiringly at him he said; "Sr, in this ad-
ditional outrage only see last trait of the
resemblance between your majesty and the
God who will give you your reward" At
these words the Indignation Of the man who
gave way to the humility of the christian,
and Louis said to the cxecutioners, II will
drain the cup to the drcgs" They tied his
hands, they cut off his hair, and then, lean
ing on the arm of his confessor, he began,
with slow tread and sunken demeanor, to
mount the steps, then very stoep, to the
guillotine. Upon the last step, however, he
seemed suddenly to rouse, and walked rapidly
across to the other side of tho scafold when,
after sign commanding silence, he exclaim-
ed, II die innocent of the crimes imputed
to me-" His face was now very red. and ac-
cording to the narrative of his confcssor, his
voice was so loud that it could be heard as
far as the Point Tournant. Some other ex-
prcs;ions we're distinctly heard II pardon
the authors o. my death, and I pray heaven
that the blood yos are about to shed may
never be visited upon France" lie was
about to continue when his voice was drown
ed by the renewed rolling of the drums, at
signal which it is avcrred was given by the
comedian Dugavan, in anticipation of the Or
dcrs Of Santerrc "Silcnce, be SILENT"
cries Louis XVI, losing all selfcontrol and
stamping violently with his foot. Richard,
one of the executioners, then seized pistol
and took aim at the king. 1t was necessary
to drag him along by force. With difficulty
fastened to the fatal plank, he continued to
utter terrible cries, only interrupted by the
fall Of the knife.