The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-03-23
A TlIE Op HORROR.
How Vengeance was Erseuted-Paris
During the War.

During the War.
A most important trial is about 10
como before one Of the tribunals Of the
Seine, in France. A correspondent
writes: "During the late war, under
tho Government OF September, there
were committed two OF the most shock
ing acts Of inhumanity and barbarity
that It is possible TO imagine. Apeacea-
BILE citizen Of Brittany was taken out
and stoned, after which no was burned
alive, and 0 ser0ent de Vile Of Paris
was drowned in the Seine. There was
still another case worth passing no.
tice. There is an old saying that when
one wants 10 get rid Of his dog he be-
gins by accusing him OF having dydro-
phobia. There was moment when q
neighbor could be gotten out OF the
way by calling him q Bonapartist. An
ex.policeman was chased by the crowd
for this crime, and took refuge in a
house, but was again driven into the
street. Tho rumor then ran about that
he was mad, having been bitten by q
mad dog, and q hundred persons pur-
sued him with sticks and stones, killing
him in the street exactly as II he were q
mad dog. But the most curious case
OF all WINS that Of the guard Vincenzini,
which I give at length. On Sunday,
the 26th Of February, 1871, the Paris.
ians were out in their Sunday costumes
enjoying the warm air which gave
promise Of an early spring. An i'm.
mense crowd had gathered in the Place
de Ia Bastille TO sec company Of the
National Guard salute q red flag raised
upon the column Of July. The entire
city wore the air OF o fete day, and
everybody seemed 10 enjoy the warmth
Of the sun. From time 10 time q banC
OF ragmufiins passed bearing red rat
and marching 10 the cadence Of the Mar
seillaise, pausing from time to time h
cheer Ia Repu6ique denocratique ej
Suddenly one OF these groups raised
o cry Of "Monchard, /" and 1t was soor
shouted in chorus throughout the
place. onthe side Of the rue st. An.
tolne one soon saw q man in citizens
dress, tall, finely formed, and with o
handsome, energetic faco, running
away, pursued by the mob. This was
the unfortunate Ex.Sergent dc Vile
Vincenzipi, who succeeded in making q
passage through the crowd and in en-
tering shop, No. 205 rue st. Antoine,
kept by the widow Cauchois. The ras-
calls who pursued him tore him from
this place, beat him horribly when in
the street, and only raised him from
the ground when the crowd began 10
cry "Hang him |" An attempt was
made to hang him from the balcony Of
Pierre ouyrier, Boulevard Richard Lee
noir, but the mob became impatient be-
fore the knot could be made in the rope
which had been hastily brought, and II
then occurred that It would be more
amusing 10 drown him. He was hur.
ried to the Canal Saint Martin, but 0
new difficulty here presented itself, and
the crowd started for the river. Seeing
that he was lost, Vincenzini tore him
self away and threw himself upon his
knees. His appeal for mercy was met
by fresh insults and blows. Being un-
able to endure this martyrdom any
longer, he cried: "Giye me q pistol,
and / will kill myself before you here,
since you will have my life." AT this
moment q girl named Lacanal, who has
Just died at Saint azure, where she
was awaiting her trial, stepped forward
and slapped the face Of the wretched
man, saying: ~ condemn you TO be
drowned." This summary judgment
was applauded by tho crowd, and once
moro the guard was pushed toward the
river, followed by thousands Of per.
sons.
Arriving at the banks OF the Seine, O
charitable man cried that the victim
knew how TO swim. This had not been
thoughtof before, but the idea was act
ed upon and vincenzini was strongly
tied 10 q plank and then launched into
the stream. So man persons crowded
upon o canal boat TO see the dying
struggles Of the victim, that II gave way
and q number were precipitated into
the river. When this confusion arose
poor llcenzini was seen floating down
the river, his great strength enabling
him 10 keep his head above water. He
turned his eyes imploringly from side
TO side in search Of help, but ct this
moment the crowd began to stone him,
and he was struck several times. AT
last he raised his head as far as posi-.
BILE, looked about this merciless crowd,
and, seeing far below him many men
and boys with stones in their hn ds
whiting for him, he gave up in despair.
By m effort he made plunge, turned
over under the plank and in o few mo-
ments brought his terrible martyrdom
to o close. His body was not found
till three months afterward. About
10000 persons Witnessed his murder,
and NJ. Mace alone tried TO save Vim
cenzini. BE was badly maltreated, and
came near sharing the same fate. But
although there was 30 many spectators
no direct proof could be obtained for o
long time. One day the woman Iacanal
was discovered, and several men have
been arrested who were seen throwing
stones. Some Of the participants have
beenalready transported many werekill-
ed in June, and only about half dozen
have been brought 10 trial. Tho wo-
man Iacanal and two Of the men have
died in prison.
One Idea OF Poverty,