New-York tribune., 1880-02-05
THE ADDRESS IN Full.

Mr.. PRESIDENT: The paper | propose to read
tonight is in relation TO Paris and France during the
Franco German war; ana particularly the siege and tho
uprising OF the CUmmune Of Paris, which among
the extraordinary and interesting events set down
IN the annals OF history. There was an avalanche Of
passion crime. violence enthusiasm and cowardice.
There was suffering. devotion, turbulence. excitement,
madness, cruelty distress, shame and sbaseneut and
the savage despotism Of the whole populace Never
before witnessed the spectacle OF two millions or
peopen the heart OF great Nation along distance from
the enemys border surrounded. besieged and shut up
for five months Never in ancient modern times has
such city fallen into the hands OF awess mob, TO DO
ruled and controlled during all OF that time by force
and No In reasonable space Of time can do
Justice TO these subjects But what have TO say viii be
brief t must be unsatisfactory.
The Franco-Prussian broke out on the 18th OF
July 1870. be followed by the awful crash OF Sedan
burying In its ruins army and Empire. There Is
not recorded In all history tremendous downfall
OF Il Government. The people alarmed discouraged
maddened by the disasters which had fallen upon
them prepared for great events. The news Of tho
disaster was made known In Paris the evening Cf the
Sd September, 1870 On that day the people u! that
city awaiting the result OF the great operations on
the frontier; but It WIS the fearful calm before the
storm that was soon burst upon Paris and France.
There was that Undesirable something IN the whole
atmosphere that portended siarng events.
There was the silent current which electrified
every heart. There among the masses or tho
people but one thought purpose and determine
ton and that to tear down the dynasty which had
so long oppressed and corrupted the people aud now
betrayed and dshonored France. At o'clock In the
afternoon that day the National Guard and the peo
pie fraeruizcd and having overcome all opposition IN
vaded the Chamber OF Deputies thrust out the members
and took possession of the hall and fron there ihey
went TO the Hotel de VILE, and where
so many governments OF France had already been pro-
ca,med they now proclaimed another Republic OF
France It was Gambotta who appeared ~ one o. the
windows Of this grand old palace ana threw oni 10 the
so 600 people gathered the Place de Grace list OF
the persons to form the Provisional Govern
ment 10 called the Government of the National De-
fence This list composed Of the republican
members OF the Chamber OF Deputies from the City OF
THE LAST DAYS OF THE EMPIRE.
And now word a. TO Paris and France before the
breaking out Of the Franco German The Emperor
resided at the Tulees In the midst OF brilliant court.
and royalty was surrounded with gtering splendor.
To casual observer who visited Paris In tho last days
OF the Empire there certain appearances OF pros
pcrty happiness and content; but they were like the
fiuit Of the Dead Sea, In the last degree de-
cep,lye Beneath all this outside show there
was TO be heard the deep rumbing OF popular diseon'
tent The people dissatisfied, restless and un-
easy Their rights and liberties had been trsmpei uu-
der the iron heel OF power, and their discomfort was
often made manifest Paris by their turbulent gather
nes on tie bouevards which had often TO be dispersed
nv the police aud quadrons cavalry whose c'shing
sabres ami sounding Dues heard Ia the streets The
CRY Of viye pEmpereur" uttered by the courers ana
parasites was responded by giddy mass In PARIS
which FILTERED by the counterfeit construction OF Tue
dazzed by the glitter OF The court or ist
,rg q, he wealth Of royalty abandoned Itself to the
,u.I, n, hapny dreams, and bowed down before tho
false glory and material slrensth OF the Empire
Icaunot here upon analysis OF the character
n, the rmperor whose remarkable history has bsen 40
diaercuty Judged. Though falag from power amid
blood and shame ard humiliation. 1t would te de 70
s.nv that his memory Bouarsrse is hei' ia
sr.,.e nv a large and powerful body OF
,as French people. He was short Oh stature