Morning journal and courier., 1880-02-06
The Paris Siege and Commune.
Some or eX-Minister Washburne,S FIX.
 nRriemcaa nnri TRaann

AAO F6FIS siege anu commune Some or ex-Minister Washburne,s EEK. periences During Them.
 [From Report of his Lecture in New York Tmes.l The lecturer was at Carlsbad when the news of the war between France and Prussia was received. He hastened to Paris, and, arriv- ing there late in the evening, found the peo- pie maddened by false stories, skillfully dis seminated, of an alleged insult to the French Ambassador by the Emperor William. Crowds filled the streets shouting, ssTo Berlin in eight days!" and singing the 'sMarsellaise. D There were then between 30, 900 and 40, GOO Germans residing in Paris. The German Minister having been compelled to leave hur- riedly, Prince Bismarck applied to our Gov ernment to protect them. The authorities at Washington expressed their consent pro vided the French Government would permit it. They did so at once, and for II months MT. Washburne was practically the German Minister at Paris. For this there was no precedent in diplomacy. The poor Germans were terribly frightened, any many of them were without means of getting away. Prince Bismarck was notified, and within "A hours he had placed 60, ,0G0 thalers with the Roth childs to the credit of the American Minister. Many of these Germans were seized and im- prisoned on trivial pretexts, and MT. Wash burne went to M. Gambetta about it. That statesman at oncer odered them released en
 
 gian frontier at the expense of the Govern ment. This was the beginning of the leetur- CTS intimacy with the great French statesman. The latter was then young man of 30, of slender form, though he has since grown stout. MT. Washburne spoke of him as person of keen intelligence, quick perception, and the supremest love of country. s'As an orator, he said, Gin my judgment, he has been without peer in France since Mirabeau. I have heard the majority of the great orators of this and many of the most celebrated of other countries, yet have never heard any thing like the speech which he delivered in the Chamber of Deputies on the day after MacMa- hons arbitrary dismissal of his Ministers" !" The German armies were approaching Paris with sure and resistless tread. Their oppon- ents were being scattered before them like light thistledown. The people were less in the streets. The theatres and concerts were poorly attended. The t'Marseillaise" was hushed. Then, the people and the National Guard fraternizing, proclaimed the Provision al Republic, and the United States was the first power to extend to 1t recognition. This prompt action was appreciated. Crowds came every day to pay their respects to the American Minister. The military marched to the Embassy in battalions carrying Amer ican flags. and crying, ''Yive rAmerique !" ''Vive le Mlnistre des Etats Unis!" Having halted before the door, delegation was sent in, speeches were made. and the ceremonies generally ended by the delegates kissing the American Minister on both cheeks. (Laugh- ter.) After while the gates of Paris were closed, and the American Minister was the only person allowed to hold communication with the outside world, though sometimes even he went without news for as much as three weeks. Three members of the French Legislature had been left outside the world and they established the seat of Government at Tours It was deemed necessary to rein fhopo and MT GamhnktQ Sont nr1ti in balloon. He at once seized the helm of the Government, and his enemies were right for once when they called him Dictator of France. After the war was over, these enemies started an inquisition, in the hope of destroying him in the public estimation but, despite all their efforts, they were unable to find any spot on his garments. With absolute control of un- told millions, his hands were found to be clear and unstained of public plunder. Ap- plause. He was. said the lecturer, a bright example for public men everywhere-one that might be proftably followed in other countries than France. Applause.
 After the siege came the Commune. The National Guard, composed of 15O,0O0 men, drove the Government of M. Thiers out of Paris Unlike the Commune of the first revo- lution, which was organized under forms of law, this was simply Government of 2, ,O00, 900 of people by 8 lawless mob composed of the worst men who ever yielded power in eny country. 'I regard my friendship with M Thiers and his family" said the lecturer at this point, s'as one of the most precious sou venirs of my official residence abroad. He was entitled, as Prince Bismarck once said to me in speaking of him, to the proudest mon- ument that grateful people could erect. His labors were simply incredible. He gave him self but five hours sleep per day. He was at work at o'clock every morning. No detail of Government escaped him. Often Minis ters would be surprised to receive @ note from s.~L.. n was his habit to give dinner party every day, to which he invited the best-informed men in France. After dinner he held a seance, which was attended by distinguished men of all callings, and from these he acquired vast store of information which was useful to his Government. He never gave any time dur ing the day to office holders and place seek ers, or to dabbling in the dirty pool of poli- tics. [Applause.l His time was too valuable to be wasted in such trivial matters. Re- newed applause. His name will go down to the ages as the hberator of France. Eight hundred thousand people assisted at the un- excelled ceremonies attending his burial and France poured out it's tears upon his bier like water. I was there to lay flowers upon his grave-the tribute of the United States to the friend of our country and the admirer of our institutions" [Applsuse.l The Government | manifested unpardonable weakness, and the National Guard was soon able to defy all au-
 
 ernment was obliged to act with resolution. Meantime, there was continuous orgie of blood and crime and incendiarism and ruin and desolation. The Government troops frat ernized with the National Guard, and srefused to fire on them. Two loyal Generals were held Tn No. Rue des Rosieres, were shot in an adjoining garden. The Government then fed The National Guard found their prize an embarrassment of riches. They put men in power who had neither honesty nor ability. Their cause was not in behalf of liberty, but of unrestrained license. While they clamored for Republic, their first act was to murder General Clement Thomas, who had been all his life a Republican, and who had just re- turned from IT years exile on account of his principles to offer his sword to his country.
 The most conspicuous figure among the rev olutionists was Raoul Rigault, who held the office of Procureur du Commune. He was a journalist, 25 years of age, refined and edu- cated, and of pleasing presence, and 0 man who dressed with the most scrupulous neat ness. Beneath it all he had the heart of 8 tiger. All his associate assassins bowed be- fore his despotic will. He held in his hand the life of every man in Paris, and he wreak- ed vengeance on all who incurred his dislike. It was he who imprisoned the Archbishop of Paris and the Chief Justice, and who ordered their assassination at the last moment before | the arrival of aid. It was he who murdered
 
 last letters Chaudie wrote was to the lecturer, asking his intervention to save his life. Rig ault went at dead of night to Chaudies cell and said to him, .'sYour hour has come" Would you execute me without judgment?' was the prisoners reply. ''You have known me long time, and you know that have al- ways done my duty as Republican, as 8 good citizen and as an honest man. 1 have wife and child" His appeal was cut short by Rigault's blasphemies. The guard was called, he was dragged to the prison-yard and order | ed to stand beside 8 lantern hung on the pris- | on wall. Summoning his resolution, he cried | in firm voice, 'Vive Ia Republique! Fire !' | and he rolled to the ground 8 corpse, In tho same way Rigault went to the prison where the venerable Chief Justice Bonjean was sleeping on his pallet of straw. Get up, old man." he shouted, ''for tomorrow we will l cut your throat" ''Young man," replied M. Bonjean, ''it is wrong that you should come to insult me thus. I am your prisoner. You see that am an old man. Leave me-" On the next night he fell, pierced with balls.
 MT. Washburne said that time would fail to recount the many similar bloody deeds enact cd by the monster Rigault, who was subse- quently shot like wild beast, leaving the