The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-11-29

Another day passes and no tidings arrive,
but they are contented to wait; the roads
are bad, the dispatches must have been de-
layed. Crowds surround the Foreign
Office, eager for the least scrap of news.
Crowds less respectful surround the French
Embassy, and with clenched fats utter not
very measured invectives against Ialley-
rand, the then Minister of France, and his
Government. Others pour ont in stream
on the highroad to Mohringen, where the
first tidings of the battle must be heard.
They strain their eyes into the far distance
what do they see There is a speck on the
horizon; it grows larger and larger; 1t
takes the form of advancing troops. Yes,
it's regiments must be their victorious army
coming home. They advance nearer and
nearer. The people rush along in com
pact mass to meet them, their eyes glowing
with enthusiasm, their mouths open for a
loud hurrab, when, as they approach
nearer, the whole expression of their faces
changes to one of horror! These are not
Austrian uniforms! No nor are they Rus
| sian 1t is the hated colors of the French
that meet their fascinated gaze
And the long looked for dispatches tool
Yes, there they are, Fastening on with
| their news, but they are not Austrian. Inc
tri colored sash is round their waist, and as
| they approach Vienna, they cry Victory
Victory! Vive rEmpereur Napoleon y
The people stand mute in establishment
| and dsmay, as the conquering army WINDS
it's way past them, and marches into the
| town to the Joyous notes of the MdrSeittatse,
| and their other famous song, Mut6rd06s'
en- "a en- querre they think they must be
dreaming, SO great is the contrHst but no,
| it is too real, too dreadfutie true, for there
are the unhappy prisoners the french nave
taken marching along with them IN triumph,
their hands are tied and their eyes cast
down. and as they drag their weary limbs
along, the people observe that they wear
| the Russian uniform. 1t is well that it Is
not the Austrian; they are spared that hui
| initiation.
the town, until all of sudden the order is
given to halt, and the music suddenly stops.
| Then an officer steps forward to the colonel
| of regiment, and at Il word from him
| four soldiers come forward and walk up to
the small house surrounded by its peaceful
| garden which lies on the other side OF the
road.
Every man, woman, and child in Vienna
knew this house; it was the home of
Joseph Hay DIN.
When the people saw this cry Of rage
escaped FROM them. Joseph haydn,
, Father Haydn they cried as with one
, voice, "they will take him prisoner"
, But no the soldiers shouldered arms and
placed themselves as guard Of honor be-
fore the door.
; And the musicians of the troops stopped
too before the house, and broke out sud
pie of Vienna, the great air in the Creation
"With vendure clad"
f Like bitter irony sounded the music in
} the ears of the people. What ! the French
+, dared to play the music of their great
master as if it was their own and tears OF
r modification flowed down the cheeks Of
= many of them at what they considered q
9 fresh insult.
8 At that moment window in the upper
story of the house opened, and a venerable
~
8 involuntairly and bowed. 1t was tribute
o paid by the French to his genius; but
t Haydn as he stood before them at that mo
ment, hale, and with his eyes flashing with
a anger, would not acknowledge it. He felt
:. indignant at their presumipg to play his
d music as eort of triumphant song of vic
q tory over his countrymen. He was mo-
9 now Haydn the composer, but Haydn the
1t patriot. Sternly he gaZed at them for
d moment, then turning to the side where
II the Viennese were massed together, silent
: spectators to the scene, he cried il loud
J" sonorous voice, stretching out bis arms as
if to embrace them, 'Ah, my children, yoT
;, can give them better song still than that,
II and then he began himself the first line {"
|. Cote erhaite FranS der Kaiser. Like AZ
it electric shock the notes ran through TIN
j. people, and as one man they sang I'll,
d grand old hymn with him, and CONTINUED
i singing iG as if il defiance of the French
@ as the troops marched away silently from
y the house and to their quarters at the othe
is end of the town.
The moral influence of the great old maj
was too much for them, and they could no
swagger or boast in the presence of such 1
n spirit.
70 Joseph Haydn stood still at his windov
" for some time listening to the voices of TIL
1t people as they died away in the distance
g his hands were folded as if in prayer
>, prayer for his beloved country in her hou
+; of peril. He did not, indeed, live to see i
l. Presburg, as 1T was called, and which wa
g signed in 1906, involved the loss of impor
h tant provinces and great humiliation 70
'r the Austrian Empire-but his fine hymn
?. became, as is we'll known, the Nationa
J. Anthem of his country.-Cdtholic Record.
W ----uau----