The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1883-07-19
THE FKENCH FETE DAY.
The Celebration OF the Destruction OF the
French BaatiIe, Near Reading


i French Baat1Ae, Ho0r Reading
Yesterday.
Yesterday was q gala day for our
French friends In this county, the coca.
sion being the celebration of the taking
and destruction of the French Bastile,
which occurred on the 18th of July,
1888. This bastIle was a state prison
and citadel OF Paris, and was built in
the year 1870 by Charles V Additions
were made TO 1t by several successive
kings, and it was surrounded by wide
ditch. Among its prominent features
were eight round towers five stories
high, having walls twelve feet thick or
more. In these towers were many cells
for prisoners. The inmates
OF this prison were generally
nOblemen, authors, politicians etc, who
had not been legally convicted of crime,
but were victims Of royal jealousy, pO-
litical despOtism, court intrigue, or &C.
clesiastical persecution. The only
formula used in cOndemning a man TO
the BastIle was the Lettre de cGelet.
Among the eminent men confined here
were VolIaire, RobespIerre, and the
man in the Iron Mask. The prisoners
were left in ignorance of the cause and
duration OF their punishment. and were
completely debarred from intercourse
with their friends. Tae first violent
symptom of the French REVOLUTION was
the destruction OF the Bastile.
which the pOpulance took by storm
July II. 1889. They killed the governor,
De Lannay, and released the prisoners,
who were only seven in number. 1t was
this great event that the French people
of this county celebrated yesterday at
DE Baugc's grove. four miles north of
Reading. The celebration of this occa-
sion properly comes on the 14th, which
was last Saturday, but in order to ac-
commodate those who could not be
present.on that day. and could yesterday,
il was postponed To the latter date.
Frenchmen of high and low degree, TO
the number of about $50 assembled
at the above place yesterday
and enjoyed themselves as only French
men can. They had royal feast at
noon and at 0 O'Clock they had another
elegant repast, which were partaEen of
while the Florence band was discours-
ing sweetest music. A number of ad-
dresses were made during the day. Mr..
PhilmOn, a prominent lawyer of Flor
ence, and Mr.. De Bauge, on whose
premises the celebration took place,
were the principal speakers, and they
spoke words which fired the patriotic
hearts of their conntrymen, and sent
thrill of pride through them akin
TO that which the true American feels
when contemplating the bold stroke for
freedom made by our forefathers on
what Is now the grandest national holi.
day in any country under the sun. The
festivities were continued until late at
night, there being good display of fire.
works In the early part of the evening.
Altogether il was a very triumphant &C.
,casIon for our French brethren, and we
hope they may live and continue 10 feel
sufficient pride and patriotism to cele-
brate tins day as II should be on each
occasion OF its recurrence in the years
To come. We are Under many obllga-
lions to Mr.. John Perrier, who attended
the celebration, for the most of the data
from which this account of the event is
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