Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-07-31
UNDER THE TRICOLOR.
CELEBRATING THE OVERTHROW
OF THE DUNGEON OF PARIS.
tFrom the New York Eerald.)
"a LA BASTlLLE."

The present French Republic is now
in the tenth year of its existence. Not
during these years has there been any
thing like grand national holiday
anything to take the place of the Fete
Napoleon, which, during the Second
Empire, was an annual celebration OF
great pomp and solemnity. With be-
coming prudence the leaders of the peo-
pie have carefully avoided anything
like a demonstration, refusing, for the
sake of mere empty display, to i'm
peril the safety of the Republic. 1t is
true that the events of 1870 and 1871.
events ont of which grew the Republic,
loft the French people but small cause
for Qualification. Spite of this, how.
over, it is impossible not to admire the
self-denial which they have exercised,
for if the record of the war against Ger.
many and Of the uprising Of The Com
mune be record of humiliation and
sorrow the record of France since the
restoration of peace has been in the
last degree honorable and praiseworthy
Nav, more, it has been record of un-
paralleled success. So great has been
this success, so marked has been the
prosperity of the country during these
last ten years, that the French govern.
ment might, with good reason, have
gratifed the national heart long before
this by national holiday and by pub.
lie and general demonstrations. 1t is,
perhaps, on the Whole better as it is
for now it will not be possible to say
that France has been in any undue
haste to parade her triumph. Nay, more,
there might have been uncertainties
before, but now there is but little dan
ger that the rejoicings will be over an
uncompleted victory, for the nation is
prosperous, the people are contented,
the Republic seems secure.
THE FOURTEENTH OF JULY.
A grand national demonstration hav'
ing been agreed upon, there was natu,
rally the question as to the most suit
able or most desirable day. There was
the anniversary of the present Republic
there are many other days-important
days in the history of France and sa
cred to the French people; but there
was one day which had larger claim
than any other-a day whose annua,
recurrence for over ninety years has
awakened the sentiment of liberty il
many Frenchman's heart and bidder
him be of good cheer. That was the
18th of July-a day forever associated
with the capture of the Bastille by thu
Paris insurgents, and with the triumph
of the popular cause. On that day, il
the year 1889, in the midst of the fevei
and excitement of the first days of tht
revolution, while the King and tht
con-t were still deeming it possible tt
resist the rising tide of popular fury
and indignation, and while the popular
cause was as yet comparatively IN
stained, the Bastille, the visible symbo
of tyranny for hundreds Of years to The
citizens of Paris, foul den where in
nocence had often suffered, and whose
interior horrors, frightened by imag!n
alton, made it the object Of bitter an(
general detestation, was successfully al
taoked by body Of the National Guard
its Governor and his subordinates wert
pat 20 death, and an impulse was givel
to the Revolution such as it had not ye
received from any other cause, and sQcl
as determined its tendency, It's sins a!
well as its successes. 1t was felt 10 bt
the birthday Of freedom, and it has 81
been regarded by republican France
ever since.
THE BASTNLE-ITS EARLY HISTORY.
The BaStille was to Paris for many
centuries what the Tower was to Lon
don. 1t was the symbol and stronghold
of despotic power. Originally what at
terward grew into the Basti!le Guild
inC). or as it was sometimes called
Castle of Paris, was part of the walls Of
Paris and of the gateway of st. Antoine
Between the years 1869 and 1888, under
instructions from Charles v, Hugo Au'
brjot. Provost of Paris, made large adj
ditions, converting what We're little
more than mere gate towers into huge
stronghold as defense against the En-
glish. Although from time to time ii
underwent certain external changes il
retained to the last substantially the
features which it received from the
vigorous Provost, to eight gloomy tow