Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-01-11
THE COAMUNE OF PARIS.
HerOism OF she MiEIed Wretcbes on
the Plains Of sAsOry.


the Plains Of satOry.
Special Cor. New York World,
PARIS, December 12.-The min
isterial crisis continues to form the
leading topic of discussion, even in
social circles at present The situa-
tion, though seemingly complica-
ted, is, in reality, of the simplest.
The Marshal refuses to accept III.
Gambetta as minister, and the ma
jority in the chambers refuse to sus-
tain anybody else. Meanwhile the
daily debates continue, with their
usual Accomplishments of the boast.
ed amenities of the essentially pO-
lite French character. For instance,
NJ. Paul de Cassagnac recently in
terrupted a speech Of M. Menier
by illusions meant to be insulting
to that deputy's chocolate manu-.
factory. And that incident was
only a specimen of the taste and
civiity of the ordinary behavior
of the French representatives to-
wards each other. Congress, in
its most unproarious days, never
presented a more disgraceful spec
tacle. 1t is to be hoped that the
present crisis will bring about some
cessation of the persecution of the
poor wretches who took part in the
commune. Even allowing that the
communists were wholly in the
wrong "a fact which after three
years residence in France ! am by
no means prepared to admit), surely
they have been ppnished enough.
The number that were killed by
the Versaillist troops after their
entry into Paris is variously esti-
mated at from thirty to fifty thou
sand, including many women and
little children. The executions
that have since taken place
amounted to from fifteen 10
eighteen thousand. When ! first
arrived here three years ago-that
is to say, two years after the sup
preston of the commune Il was
told that they were still shooting
prisoners by squads on tie plains
of Satory. Last week fresh vic
tim was condemned TO death - not
one of the leaders Of the rcbel!ion,
be it understood, but one Of tho
miserable rank and file. And it
must be remembered that many
nay, the greater part--Of these poor
creatures entered the ranks Of the
communist forces not to rob or
murder, but in good faith, and to
earn bread fOg their wives and little
children. 1t is easy to see ilcw
Il working-man, a republican by
principle, who had starved and sut-
lered all through the siege and who
was offered thirty cents day to
serve the republican forces, could
easily be induced to accept such IN
offer. And the heroism Of some of
these unhappy beings was beyond
all praise. Not long ago | was told
the story OF a young Swiss doctor
who had charge of one Of thep0mmu-
mist hospitals, and who was greatly
aided in his lDbors by woman Of
the people, who, young, strong
armed and vigorous, assisted him
to the best Of her ability, and who
was at once the most untiriDg and
faithful Of nurses to the sick and
wounded. After the entry Of the
Yorslillists the physician was ar
rested. Az he vas beingeoHducted
before the tribunal he met his for
mer aid aud companion coming
forth, escorted by a detachment Of
soldiers. "Ah, my poor Adele, he
said to her, care you here? We
have both fallen on eYil days, it
seems" She looked him flll in
the face. Monsieur, je nc yoas
cannais pas she said CT do not
know you, sir,") and was hurried
away. The doctor shrugged his
shoulders. Evidently 1 am a
doomed man." he said to himself,
"since that woman will not recog-
nize me for fear of compromising
herself" He was brought before
the tribunal, but by the interven-
ton of a wounded Versaillist whom
he had attended he was released.
lie learned later the true story of
M H..