The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-02-06

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of the crowd, heard, by chance, some express
sions which indicated q willingness 10 make
any effort TO save him, he had suddenly determ-
ined to aid such q work, and had therefore
pressed near the door, which was assaulted In o
| Thousand ways. Some were pounding the lock
to break it in pieces; others assisted with
| again, tore away the plastering, and beat in
pieces the wall, in order to effect breach.
The rest, who were unable to get near the
house, encouraged by their shouts those who
were at the work OF destruction though for
tunately, through the eagerness with which
they pressed forward, they impeded its pro-
gress.
The magistrates, who were the first to have
notice Of the fray, despatched messenger to
ask military aid of the commander of the cas-
tie, which was then called, from the gate
Giovia, and he forth with detached troop,
which arrived when the house was encompass
cd with the throng, and undergoing its ire
meudons assault; and was therefore obliged to
halt at q distance from it. and at the extre-
nifty OF the crowd. The officer who command
ed it did not know what course to pursue at
the order to dispense and mako way, the peo-
pie replied by deep and continued murmur,
but no one moved. To fire the crowd ap
peared not only savage, bnt perilons, inasmuch
as the most harmless might be injured, and the
most ferocious only irritated, and prepared for
future mischief; and moreover his instruc-
tions did not authorize it. To break the
crowd, and go forward with his band to the
house, would have been the best, if success
could have been certain: bat who could tell if
buo COulQ proceed united ana In Or
der : The irresolution of the commander
seemed to proceed from fear the populace
were nnnoved by the appearance OF the SOL
diers, and continued their attacks on the
house. at q little distance there stood an i'll
looking, balf. starved old man, who, contract
ing an angry countenance to a smile of dtabol-
icAl complaoency, brandished above his hoary
head hammer, with which he said he meant
to nail the vicar to the posts of his door alive
as he was.
'Oh, shanei shame~ exclaimed Reno.
Shamei would you take tho hangman's BUSH
ness out of his hand to assasenate Chris.
tianf How can you expect God will give
us bread, if we commit such iniquity He
will send US his thuuders, and not bread -
"Ah dog Rh F.! traitor to the country"
cried one who had heard these words, turning
to Renzo with the oountenance of q demon.
sit is a servant of the vicar's disguised Ikea
oountryman tits spyw, hundred voices
he PA servant of the vicar's-a spy-the
vicar himself. escaping in the Disguise Of
peasant !"-''Where is he where is he 7"
Renzo would have shrunk into nothingness,
some of the more benevolent contrived to
help him to disappear through the crowd
but that which preserved him moat ehectually
was cry OF Make way here comes our help,
make way~ which attracted the attention Of
the throng.
This was q long scaling ladder, supported by
q few persons who were endeavoring to pene-
meant to gain entrance to the house. But,
happily, this was not easy of execution the
length of the machine precluded the possibili-
ty of its being carried easily through such
multitude; it came. however, just in time for
Repzo, who profted by the confusion, and
escaped to q distance, with the intention of
making his way, as soon as he could, to the
convent, in search of Father Bonaventura.
Suddenly new movement began at one ex-
tremity, aud diffused itself through the
crowd :-'Ferrer, Ferrer" resounded from
every. side. Some were surprised, some re-
joioed, some were exasperated, some applaud
ed, some affirmed, some denied, some blessed,
some cursed /
as he here 1t is not true it is not true.
cheap.-No, mol He is here-here in q car
riagei Why does he GENE 7-we don't want
him,-Ferrer long live Ferrer! the friend
of the poor he comes to take the vicar priso-
ner.-No, no, we would revenge oHrselres, we
would fight our own battles ; back, back
Yes, yes, Ferrer Let him come! to prison
With the vicar "
At the extremity of the crowd, on the side
opposite to that whore the soldiers we're, An
tonic Ferrer, the high chancellor, was ap-
preaching in his carriage, who, probably con-
demning himself as the cause of this commo-
ton, had come to avert at least its most terrific
and irrepHrable effects, to spend worthily
popularity unworthily acquired.
In popular tumulss there are always some
who, from heated passion, or fanatcism, OF
wicked design, do what they can to push things
to the worst; proposing and promoting the
most barbarous counsels and assisting to stir
the fire Whenever it appears to slackeu. But,
on Tue ObDeT nanu, buefe are always GDOSe VINO,
perhaps with cqual srdor and equal persever
ance, employ their efforts for the production of
contrary effects; some led by friendship or
partlalIty for the persons in danger, others
without other impulse than that of horror of
bloodshed and Htrocity. The mass, then, are
ever composed of a mixed assemblage, who by
indefinite gradations, hold to one or the other
extreme; prompt to rage or compassion, to
alteration or execraton according as the occa-
sion presents itself for the development Of
either of these sentiments: life and death are
the words involuntarily uttered, aud with
equal facility; and he who sucoeedS in per-
snadiDg them that such an one does not de-
serve t" be quartered, has bnt little more TO do
to convince them that he onght TO be carried
in triumph.
While these various interests were contend
ing for superiority in the mob, before the house
of the vicar, the appearance of Antonio Ferrer
gave Instantly great advantage to the hu-
nfaue, who were manifestly yielding to the
greater strength of the ferocious and blood
thirsty, The man himself was acceptable to
the multitude, from his having previously
favored their cause, and from his heroic resist
ance to any arguments against it. Those al
ready favorably inclined towards him were
now much more affected by the courageous
of old mo yvh O vii "a,