Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-06-11
VICTOR HUGO's FUNERAL.
A Round Million of Persons Estimated
to Have Witnessed the Great
Cortege.
Six Eloquent OratiOns Delivered at the
Tomb by lllustriOus Sons OF
the Republic.

CONDENSED from the cable dispatched
Hundreds of thousands Of people were abroad
In Paris at daybreak, already crowding the
streets and boulevards through which the great
procession was to move that accom- anied the
remains OF Victor Hugo to their last resting
place In the Pantheon. Owing to the crowded
condition OF the hotels thousands were COM
peeled 70 btvouac In the open air all night
Around the Arc de Triomphe the space was
nl'ed with the chief officers OF the state. the
Deputies. From ali directions came deputations
with draped banners and bearing flowers and
gigantic wreaths, and all moved In the direc-
ton or the Arc de Triomphe, the Mecca OF
France to-day. Never did Paris present such
scene
The funeral procession started punctually at
noon.
Many vehicles, heaped up with the offerings
OF the people OF France, followed the hearse In
the procession. The buildings were black with
people, as was, indeed, every point from which
tacle.
All in the procession seemed to appreciate
that France was doing honor to her most Illus
trious poet. All were quiet, and all observed
most becoming demeanor. The pressure OF the
template, and many OF those who were "in the
packs were seriously crushed.
Six orations were delivered under the Arc de
Triomphe, in the presence OF nearly all the
Industrious men of France.
M. Leroyer, President of the Senate said
Victor Hugo constantly pursued the higher
W,
csed an immense influence over the moral feel
ing of France
M. FloQuet said that the ceremony to-day was
not funeral; 1t was an apotheosis. He hailed
Victor Hugo as the immortal apostle who be-
queathed to humanity that gospel which could
lead the people to the. defnitive conquest of
srsatiy fSSppiaaded H"a'''" N'"""Ht' "''''Hn
M. Angler, member Of the academy, elab-
Grated the fact made evident to-day: To the
sovereign poet France renders sovereign hon
ors"
NJ Goelet, President OF the Chamber of Depu-
ties, declared that Victor Hugo will remain the
highest RECONCILIATION of the nineteenth cent
ury, the history Of which, in its contradictions,
ed in his works. The character OF Victor Hugo
was profoundly human. and represented the
spirit OF liberation and OF peace.
The singing OF revolutionary and patriotic
reach of the voices OF the orators interrupted
some OF the unity Of the eul0Ries, but beyond
this there was nothing to mar the beauty or de-
tract from the impresslveness OF the spectacle.
The funeral ceremonies were completed, and
the march of the procession ended without any
thing happening that might be called Of q dis
orderly character
The police arrested several bearers of red flags,
which were unfurled at the starting points or
headquarters of the several revolutionary So
cietes.
Metz Strasbourg, and all the fortress towns
In the annexed provinces were well represented.
Every point OF view was crowded with men,
women, and children. The tops OF fve-story
houses and even the chimneys were occupied by
siRhtJseers, JfieGERaA HpgQ walked Rl9pe shshtjRa
ing on the Place Cluny collapsed Many persons
were injured, but none killed The fall caused
q great panic and confusion, but the procession
was soon formed. Another platform fell on
the Rue Royale.
1t is estimated that the procession numbered
100000 persons. Not single priest was seen
in the line.