Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-02-20
CHARLOTTE CORDAY.

pie Of female heroism than Char
lotte Corday, and our purpose is
here to give a succinct account of
that heroism which placed her
name on history's page.
During the Reign of Terror in
France, in the year 1892, the prin-
cipal powers Of the government
were lodged in the hands of Dan
ton, Marat and Robespicrre, three
of the most unprincipled and dar-
ing men on record; indeed, it
would be almost impossible to find,
in the pages of history, three men
who exerted more pernicious in
fluence over people.
Marat is described as being the
worst of the triumvirate. "Nature
had impressed the atrocity of his
character on his countenance; hide
Gus features, the expression of a
demon, revolted all who approached
him." This devil incarnate agi-
tated the minds of the people to
the highest pitch Of terror. His
purpose was to behead two hun
dred and eighty thousand men, to
"secure the peace and tranquility"
as he said, Of his country. He was
about to carry into execution his
sanguinary purpose, but the hand
of a heroic woman cut him short
in the midst of his bloody career.
Charlotte Corday was born at
Rouen in the year 1868. We know
nothing of her life prior to the
death Of Marat.
In the year 1893, France, as every
one knows, was in the midst Of
famine, pestilence and bloodshed
Terror was the order of the day.
In the midst of these thrilling
events, Charlotte Corday, then
twenty-five years Of age, by heI
bold and daring enthusiasm, and
by the love of liberty that nature
had implanted in her bosom, arrest.
ed the course of the bloody tyrant
Marat, whom she imagined was the
instigator Of all these atrocities
She imagined that If he were dead,
there would be an end of War-thal
liberty and freedom which she SC
ardently desired would again reign
supreme in her native land. She
resolved to attain that end by sacri.
fcing, if necessary, her life.
With these thoughts uppermost
in her mind, she set out for Paris
On her way she was cheerful and
happy, and congersed with the
travellers in the most pleasant and
agreeable manner. Her temper
was naturally serene, and though
possessed of more than masculine
courage, aho still retained all the
refinement AMI delicacy of her sex,
and it is said possessed an uncom,
monty handsome figure.
The second day after heY arrival
in Paris she purchased a knife al
the Palais Royal to despatch the
bloody tvrant. and thus bestOW lib.
erty upon her country. On the
third day she went in search Of
Marat, and after much difficulty
found him in the bath. When SHE
entered he was inquiring tho names
of the prescribed deputies Of Caen
Upon being inforned be said
"They shall meet with the punish.
ment. they deserve" Charlotte
/ Corday exclaimed, f'Yours is a
handp and plunged The fatal knif
into his bosom, He fell, and will
a loud cry, expired.
She was immediately seized aGl
taken to prison. When she wa
brought forth to her trlai she wa
perfectly calm-a smile was upol
her countenanoe; she knew her fate
but she was resigned. She woul,
not allow them to prove the deStl
of the deceased, but interrupted
them by saying:
"ThOse formalities are unncces
sary; | killed Marat.'
"What tempted you to commi
the murder?"
"His own crimes
; "What do you call crimes?r
"The misfcrtunes he has inficte,