The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-10-31
PARIS COMMUNE.
Ex.Ministcr Washburness Lecture
in Philadelphia.


The late Minister to France, Mr..
Washburne, delivered en- interesting
lecture in which he said
ALL PARIS battle FIELD.
On the 18th of March, II, the insur-
rectionary force drove out the regular
Government, and improylsing an au-
thority, called the central committee
of the National Guard, seized all the
departments of the Administration.
They had military force OF 10000
men, fully armed and equipped, and
drawing regular pay and rations. Al
ter describing the terrible struggle of
ten weeks required to recapture the
city from this force, the ex-Minister
spoke of the vast and unheard of de-
structiOn of life and property during
the reign of terror. The Tuileries and
many of the most important public
buildings were burned down. The
reign of the Commune was an ordeal
of blood and fire. The controlling meD,
who were from among the most de-
praved in that great city, beheld at
their feet one of the largest, richest
and most attractive cities of the world.
Trampling under foot all law, human
and Divine, they found themselves in
such position of power as had never
before been held by wicked and des-
perate men.
Mr.. Washburne paid an eloquent
tribute to NJ. Theirs, who at that time
of trial was the central figure of France
and of Europe, and who rendered to
his country such exceptional and ines
timable services as, in the words of
Prince Bismarck to Mr.. Washburne,
"would entitle him to the proudest
monument ever erected by grateful
people" The name of Theirs would
go down to the end OF all ages as the
Liberator of the Territory of France.
ARCHBISHOP DAEBoY.
During the Commune the ex-Minis-
ter held intimate relations with Arch
bishop Darboy, and made every pos
sible effort to save his life. The speak
er's tribute to the Archbishop's attain
ments and character was glowing
one, and his description of the heroic
preiate's death was affecting, as was
also his reference to the many other
priests who were inhumanly assissi-
mated just before the city fell into the
hands of the government troops. AS
a characteristic Of the Commune, the
speaker read translation OF the per-
NIT which he received to visit the
Archbishop in prison whenever he de-
sired to do so. In this paper the Unit
ed States Minister was called merely
"Citizen Washburne," while the title
given TO the Archbishop, who had
spent his whole life in doing good for
the people of Paris, was 'the prisoner,
Darboy."
Sketching the appearance of Paris
during the Commune, Mr.. Washburne
said that fortune, business, public and
private credit aud industry all found
one common grave. Desolation and
ruin were everywhere. All the gold
and silver of The churches and all the
plate OF the government found in the
different ministries were seized and
into coin. The Catholic
clergy were hunted down and placard-
ed as thieves. The supremacy of the
Commune was the continuation of ey-
cry outrage, murder and robbery and
every. species of persecution. And
yet Paris all the while was the same
Paris. All the little shops were open
and their contents displayed with all
that exquisite taste that SO captivates |
the foreigner. The streets and boule-
Yards were full of gay people, who
seemed to have no thought of the NOR
row. The theatres were crowded and |
the artist never more superb.
RECKLESS PARIsIANs.
The military operations of the Com
mune were complete but uninten-
tional burlesque, and in no skirmish |
Dr. engagement did they achieve sue
cess. The time was one of ever-re- |
CURING sensations. The bouleyards
flashed at midnight, and elegant and I
and fast-living Paris sips eau de Uie
and cafe on the sidewalks. Blaze dan.
lies, with high h crowned hats and wide |
dashed rapidly along.
md faded beauties, with hight hair and
still lighter regulations, are not far
away. And all this with the constant
sound of bombardment, the cry of VIC
.ory, the howl of despair and the yell
Of defeat. The efforts of the Commune
% hold the city were almost superhu.
man, Everywhere was displayed the
ed fag-that hated ensign of anarchy
md blood. Fear, madness, fury, hate
ook possession of the Communards
md desperation seized upon all the
defenders Of law and order. All Par
S was a battlefield. While the city ;
vas in flames, the continual roar of
annon, the quick rafting of the mi {
railleuse aud the sharp crack of the ;
were everywhere heard. AT I
light the lurid flames, rising from
urning Paris, lighted up half of the
and the whole scene was aw- {
ully grand. The Commune did all in =,
Is power to destroy fhe city, and if
be entry of the troops had been de- ,
.yed much longer they would have !
ucceeded.
HE VExEFICATION OF DREAMS :
That there are many well authenti- C
lted cases in ancient and modern |