The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-07-24
THE OLD BAsTILE.

of 1870 could have brought the country
back to the traditions of the revolution
airy epoch, though for seven years after
the Franco Prussian war there was no
question of any fete. When, however,
the election of the French Chamber of
Deputies in October, 1877, resulted in
defeat of the Government-3l6 Republi-
cans being returned against 1919 official
candidates. new order of things gradu-
ally set in.
The first national fete under the Repub-
lie took place on June 80, 1873, as a COM
memorative date had not yet been fixed
upon. Never did public rejoicing better
deserve the epithet national. The unanim-
ity with which the citizens-without the
distinction of class, fortune, or opinion
decorated their houses proved that
patriotism took precedence of politics.
From the humble flag ut one sou to the
sumptuous standard with a fringe of gold,
from the modest paper lantern to the
dazzling gas JET every sort of decorative
device and luminous apparatus charmed
the eyes of those who witnessed the
eventful day. And, strange to say, the
meaner the streets and the more distant
the quarters the richer was the display.
As, however. some historical date had
TO be fixed upon the Republicans finally
selected the 18th of July, and on July IA
of the same year, the centenary OF Jean
jacques Rousseau End the anniversary of
the fall of the Bastile. were celebrated in
Paris. Of course the fall of the Bastile
did not found republic in France. 1t
only proclaimed that the French people
were tired of the old regime, and had dis
covered their strength. 1t was, however,
the first ring with. which the links of long
chain have been formed. There we're pre-
- Too TO-, ~
that day that the first Fourteenth Of
July" anniversary was celebrated in the
Champ de- Mars, where the Exposition
now holds its assizes, that the fete of the
Federation was held in 1890, and that all
classes, high and low, labored with pick
and spade to erect the Altar of Country"
The French, therefore, rightly regard
the attack on the Bastile as the turning
point in their history and the birthday
of the Republic. For twelve years past
the day has been kept in a manner worthy
of the event which it commentaries.
Tho Day Celebrated in France.
The one hundredth anniversary of the
fall of the Bastile was celebrated by the
public meetings and fetes in Paris and
throughout the provinces says a cable dis
patch from the French capital Trans
parences bearing representations of Gen
eral Boulanger were displayed in the win
dows of the League of Patriots and Mt
other Boulangist resorts. These devices
called forth few hootings from passeis-
by, but with the exception of the disorders
in the Place de La Concorde and at the
Office of la Presse the day passed off
without disturbances of any kind
A brilliant review of the troops was
held at Longchamps. President Carnot
was heartily greeted by the great crowds
that gathered to witness the sight.
A band of roughs gathered Mt the Imo-
das Cafe, on the Rue Royale, and de-
manded that flag be hoisted. An Italian
flag was displayed, which so enraged the
mob that thew tore il down and trampled
il in the mud. Then they made an at
tack on the cafe and completely wrecked
the place.
The fireworks at the fetes in the even
ing were somewhat married by ram but
the Place de la Concorde. the Champs de
Elysees, the Bots de Boulogne, the
Eiffel Tower, and the Trocadero Palace
were a blaze of light.
At midnight thousands of persons
thronged the Bots de Boulogne. and
there was no sign of any abatement of
the fun.
M. Deroulede NJ. Lsguerre, and other
Boulan9ist members of the Chamber of
Deputies assembled on the Place de In
Concorde. before the statue OF Strasburg,
intending to hold a meeting. crowd of
several thousand persons had gathered,
and NJ. Deroulede was about TO begin q
speech when police commissary
named Clement forced his way
through the crowd, and approaching
Derouiede, forbade him to speak. De-
roulede protested, but the police official
was obdurate. Deroulede then began affix-
inc floral wreaths TO the ratings around
the statue, at the same time leading the
crowd i'm shouts of "Vive Boulanger.
CLEMENT tried 10 arrest Deroulede. but
the latter stoutly resisted, saying that
he had not made a speech, and had only
cheered for Boulanger. He refused to
accompany the officer 10 the police sta