Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-28
Louis Eslanc,s Funeral.

Louis EslaHcsS Funeral.
From the London Standard.
Long before the cortege started from No. 2O4
Rue de Riyoli, where the deceaseds remains Law
ID state on sumptuous catataique erected I'M
der the porte cOchere. crowds assembled in its
immediate vicinity. and deputations all carry
ing banners Ofvaried cOlors and bearing all man
ner OF Inscriptions, assembled in the street which
they blocked up nearly as far as the Place de la
COncorde. Nothing could exceed the order in
which all fell into their places in the rear of the
hearse, and the long line. broken by the banners.
when viewed from a distance: looked most pic
turesque. 1t extended over mile in length
and as it moved on the streets and bouleyards
were thrOnged. even to the housetops. by dense
masses of sight-seers. First came deputstion
from the provinces. then the hearse. drawn by
six horses so densely covered with mmOrtelles
and wreaths of flowers that its very
shape and sombre hue were obliterated
Accompanying the hearse were ten pail
bearers. Immediately following came Gen
Plttie. representing the president of the
republic; then the personal friends and relatives
of NJ. Louis Blanc, followed by the military and
their band playing solemn music. After the
band followed the Populations with their
wreaths and banners, nearly every man wearing
in his button hole the sprig of red mmortelles
which is regarded as the special badge of un-
belief in the life of the world to come The
members of the commune whom the amnesty
has permitted to re urn to Paris were con-
spicuous in the procession, and. judging from
their appearance, they have no reason to COM
plain OF their lot. They all wore comfortable
greatcoats, and were most respectfully attired;
indeed, the fact that the majority of this enor-
nous gathering call themselves members of the
proletariat. and enemies of rmfame capital
seemed at variance with the extraordinary neat
ness of their appearance. The procession. the
rear of which was brought up by twenty
coaches, took two hours to reach the cemetery
At the Cemetery OF Pere la Chaise the coffin was
laid in the modest monument where Madame
Louis Banc's remains were laid eight years ago
NJ. Charles Edmond then read the following
oratlon written tor the occasion by Victo Hugo
whom his years would not allow to attend
1.-The death OF such man as Louis Blanc is a
disappearance. 1t is light that goes out
Sadness overtakes US akin to prostration; but
prOstratiOn lasts but a little while. Men who
believe are strong. and SO to live Is to hope A
light may GO out, but the source Of all light is
never eXtingushed. Men like Louis Blanc are
necessary; they reappear when the need for
them arises Their work cannot be discontin-
ued, for it forms part OF the very life of human
ity. Let us weep, then, for Louis Blanc; but
let us hope. Let US weep, but let US trust
In the better world. where he now is, he hears
US and Improves us. Good was the aim of his will
the fulfilment Of his work. He was eloquent:
he was excellent. AS an historian he taught; as
an orator he persuaded; as philosopher he
enlightened. Let us honor his mortal she'll
venerate his memory. and accept his immortality
such men. we repeat, are necessary. They must
die, since that is the earthly law; but they must
endure, tor that is the law of Heaven Nature
makes them. the Republic wants them. What
Is there at the bottom OF the Republic? Man.
What is there in the inmost essence of
nature. God. Beings like Louis Blanc are
supreme consciences. They go through life
with but one care-to do the double duty; with
regard to history, facts, incidents, catastro-
Plies, events, revolutions, to serve the peoples
with regard to God, to love Him."
Several other speeches were made, the most
typical and the best of which was delivered by q
journeyman compositor, NJ. Moret. He said:
''Citizens-This tomb cannot be closed with
out voice being raised from the workingmen
to pay tribute to Louis Biancs memory. He
served the cause of the people; the people claim
him as their own. After what has been said we
can make no distinction between the socialist
and politician. The workingman, as he passes
through life, will bear in mind but one thing
that born in the bourgeoise, Louis Blanc loved
the people. Louis Blanc was the true son Of the
French revolution"