The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-06
THE LEGION OF HONOR
Rise and History of the Popular
French Decoration.
BOTH CIVIL AND MILITARY.
How Membership IL Forfeited-The
Maenincent Edifce In the Rue de
Lille-Ofshootso OF the Order.

PARIS, Aug. 24.-Tspecial Corresnon.
dence. Situated in the Rue de Lille is
one Oh the most conspicuous and most in
terestlng buildings of which even the Paris
OIL To-Day can boast. 1t is the Palais de la
Legion Honneur. the headquarters and
nome oil the largest civil and military order
In the world Before describing further
the magnificent building of the Rue de
Lille, it may be in order to trace in a few
words the rise and history of an organiza.
ton whose decoration is to many French
men the sunimum bonum of existence.
Almost Immediately upon his arrival in
Paris, the stranger, as he wanders along
the streets and boulevards, will notice an
occasional passer-by on the lapel of whose
coat is displayed scrap of scarlet ribbon.
This little bit of color is the informal in
sigma of a chevalier of the Legion of
Honor, and, it is safe to say, constitutes in
his eyes the most valuable and cherished
possession.
Early in the present century, one of the
hrst acts of the victorious revolutionists
was the adjustment of each and every ex-
isting order of chivalry and decoration.
10 one man, however, then known as Con-
SUI Bonaparte, and gradually feeling his
way to absolute power. the idea presented
itself OF instituting an order which should
pear the title of Legion of Honor, and adj
hittance to which should be granted as a
recompense for eminent services-not only
military, but civil also-done the state.
Needless to say the suggestion met with
the most violent opposition from many
among the ancient parties. "Such an or
der, they said, would inevitably lead to
aristocracy; crosses and ribbons are the
embems of monarchy"
II defy YOU" answered the warrior
legislator, 'to show me an ancient or mod
ern republic in which there are no such
distinctions. You call them baubles'-
well, then, tell you it is with such baubles
that men are led" Eventually, after long
ana bitter discussion in the assembly. the
order OF the Legion d'Honnetr was estab-
ilshed by decree of the consuls dated %
foreat, a" 1O-in other words, May 10, 1902.
1t was not, however, until two years latsr
that the form of the insignia having been
determined and the regulations of the
order framed, the actual inauguration took
place. It's original composition was as
follows: A grand council of administra-
ton and sixteen cohorts, each of the latter
comprising seven grand officers, twenty
commandants, thirty officers and $50
tcgionnaires or ordinary members Early
in the following year an imperial decree
established new class, the grandsaiqies
(grand-eagles), the membership of which,
exclusive of foreigners and princes of the
reigning army, was to be limited to sixty.
In 1914 Louis XVIII, whom political
changes had placed upon the throne,
deemed it advisable to recognize the order,
though not without causing general up
heaval of its existing forms and condi-
tions. Its members were deprived of GER
tain rights which they had previously en-
joyed, and on the decoration itself, the
effigy of its founder was replaced by that
of Henri Quatre, while on its reverse the
feur de tis was substituted for the i'm
perial eagle. simultaneously the division
of grand eagles was renamed the grand
cross or Gordon, and the commandants
were known as commanders.
Worthy old Louis Philippe, on his ac-
cession, made no change whatever in the
general administration of the order save
the unimportant one of substituting on
the insignia the tricolor for the feur de Us,
and it remained for the government of
Napoleon III. to bring about certain i'm
portant and permanent reforms. By the
terms of decree issued in March, 1852,
the Legion of Honor is conferred as re-
ward for civil and military services. The
chief of the state is at once chief ruler and
grand master of the order, and it's compo-
sition-though the limitations have been
slightly exceeded-is fixed as follows:
II. -
grand officers, 1000 commanders, 4,OG0
officers and an unlimited number of chev-
alters, or ordinary members. The order
can be conferred on foreigners in recogni-
ton of their services to France or to soci-
ETY. at large, but no oath of fidelity is ex-
acted from them, nor are they actually
counted as members of the division they
may belong to.
To become entitled, in times of peace, to
in the order, it is necessary to
have exercised with distinction, for at
least twenty years, some civil or military
functions and, most stringent rule Of all,
none can be admitted to any rank above
that of chevalier. Promotion must be
brought about by time, on the following
scale. To become an officer, one must
have served for four years as chevalier; TO
attain the rank of commander, two years
as officer as grand officer, three years as
of ''grand cross" five years
as grand officer. In times of war, how
ever, each year of campaign is counted as
double in the case of military members.
In war time, too, extraordinary acts of
bravery or wounds incurred in the coun-
try's defense, bring about special dIspen-
sations as regards admission and advance
ment Even in the civil list allowances
are made for some great benefit done to the
cause of science and art. the one lnifexible
rule being that each separate grade must
be gone through. no matter how short the
term of probation.
Bestowal of the order is made with pro-
portionate ceremony. When conferred
upon civilians, the functions are performed
in one of the chambers of the pala's, but
military decorations are invariably re-
ceived upon parade. The rank of grand
cross or grand officer is conferred by the
chief of the state in person or by the grand
chancellor of the order, while in the case
of commanders, officers and chevallers the
chancellor can appoint as his deputy some
member of the rank TO which the re-
cipient is about to be raised. The form of
oath used on admittance is invariably the
same: II swear fidelity to honor and coun-
try. | swear TO conservate myself wholly
to the welfare of the state and TO do my
duty as brave and loyal cheVailer OF the
Legion of Honor"
The eInolumenr gwen blythe order TO
such of its members as are officers. nom
commissioned officers privates or sailors,
while on active service Is IS follows:
CheyaIiers receive $50 francs year; OFF,
GERS. 500 francs; commanders, LOCO francs;
land officers . 900 francs; grand cross,