The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-09-27
Celebrated in France With Evil
dences Of Great Rejoicing and
Popular Content.
The Nation Rejoicing In Liberty,
and at Peace With the
World.
Two Million People Line the Banks Of
tho River Seine and Witness
the Proceedings.

PARIS, Sept. 26.--For two days last week
France was en- fete. In calm and dieniHed
way we had been celebrating the centenary
OF the important events of the revol ution.
Wednesday was the anniversary Of the
great battle OF Valmy (1792), when Gen.
Kellerman, with volunteers hastily got to-
Gethsr, put a stop to the advance of the
Prussian army. The ceremonies took place
upon she same old field whereon the battle
was fought. Thursday WIS cell
ebrated by the anniversary Of tho
proclamation of the first republic. In
May last the chambers decided by q vote to
mako the day a general holiday. and the
bourse and the courts were closed. Up to
the previous day Paris did not seem to be
very enthusiastic considering it was holi-
day time. because the great event TO be
oommemorated was too far of. Thursday
morning, however, fine weather put the
Patisians in excellent humor. Dwellings
were decorated and especially the working
mems quarters. In the afternoon the
whole CITY was out OF doors to see the pro-
cession with which the fete began. 1t was
the apotheosis into revolution.
The sight was singular one. Marching
past wero visiting clubs from the Sambre
and the Meuse in their quaint costumes
and carrying banners. There were sections
of the Paris commune and civic guards in
their red caps and pixies. But the greatest
enthusiasm greeted q large number Of cars
with symbolic groups or figures, especially
one bearing a gigantic statue illustrative
| OF the "Marsellaise." Not single offen-
sive cry, not one warlike allusion went out
from the crowd. When detachment COM
posed of men from different regiments of
the garrison closed the procession 81 .
crowd grew more serious, understanding
that it was the national army, of which
each one in the throng formed part.
| With certain amount of sentiment, bnt
with power and grandeur, though IN a
pacific way. for the French people are not
clamoring for war have we shown our pros-
perity to-day. France to-day is enjoying
the utmost liberty and maintains pacific
attitude such as all true friends of France
have long desired.
In the evening there was dancing in the
streets, just as there was on July Ia. II
was not bad thing for the public health.
Indeed, it was rather Il good thing for Paris.
According to the police estimate there
were 100000 persons upon the right bank
of the river and 800, 900 on the left bank to
see the two PROFESSIONS, whioh were ident-
cal, which the committee had organized in
order TO avoid dembarrassments. Each pro
cession had five oars. One car symbolized
the period preceding the revolution. another
tho Chant du Depart" another the "Tri-
umph OF the Republic" and the fifth
i Harmony, Labor and Peace" There was
no disorder anywhere. There was a good
deal OF fun and some horse play and elbow
| ing of the crowds wanting to see everything.
but nothing untoward worth noting. The
conduct of the sightseeing throngs was
admirable. They cried "Vive la repub-
liaue, "Nive la nation" and they also
wished to ory "Nive nous memes," it being
a fete given in honor of French sagacisy for
| Parlsians.