The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-07-17
The Funeral of caruot,


 men and women who thronged the foot. ways, the stands. the windows. baloon- les and housetops. IL is true that the Parisian spirit, always observable in this strange and unique population. fond alike Of earning. of spending. and of saving money. was quite ingenious to-day in the art of turning a penny out of the murdered president s funeral. But for fear Of wanting in respect to the memory of him now resting In the vaults of the Pantheon this might be called ladder day" for nobody could have conceived that so many ladders existed in all France as were utilized to-day. There was also some laughing and pushing in the crowd. there was oc-l casional disputing. and ladders. chairs, tables and stands were noisily offered for disposal, the step of ladder vary Ing from 5f to If. or ST.. according to height.
 All this was going on until the pro- cession approached. but as soon as the first squadron of cavalry was signalled as soon as the drums draped in crape sent forth their slow. mournful notes as soon as the officers raised their swords, also draped in crepe, on pas sing before the crowd silence prevailed. the latent feeling of sadness appeared. and you felt that 1t was amid nation in mourning that Carnot's remains were going from the Elysee to Notre Dame and thence to the Pantheon When the gloomy but imposing car ap- peared did not see a single hat that was not raised, did not see a single person-man, woman or child-who did not stand up, the head bent towards the ground On housetop l noticed two artisans clinging by one hand to a projection, who under a burning sun barred their heads as the car passed and remained thus as long as it was in sight, their eyes fixed on the hearse on which rested the remains of Presi- dent Carnot. A feeling of disquietude evidently pervaded every heart. A menace to social order symbolized by this dagger-stroke seemed to hang over every head, and the elegant ladies who thronged the windows and balconies only attracted observation because their bright toilets contrasted with the gloomy thoughts which haunted the crowd massed on both sides all along the route.
 In these exceptional circumstances the appearance of the new president produced, and was bound to produce, a deep impression on all who saw him pass, and. indeed, the picture was strik- ing and full of consolation and hope. If anything could instil courage, 1t was the aspect of this young, robust man, type of the Frenchman who has that quality most appreciated in a country where individual bravery is not rare family carriage, M. Casimir- Perier ad- vanced alone, having behind him at some yards distance, the ushers of the Elysee, while behind him at still greater distance were some of his min isters and his military household. The red ribbon of the Legion of Honor and the large silver badge of the order on his breast marked him out to the crowd, and at one moment having left the procession to go to the balcony of friend 200 yards off, I saw the pres' dent advancing in the middle of tie Rue de Rivoli, standing out prominent ly from the procession and the crowd It was said yesterday that M. Caai- mir-Perier had changed his mind, that he had received hundreds of threaten to entreaties. Those who know him did not for moment credit this fa- calumny-and they were not surprised to see him to-day, without boast or parade, accomplish ing the duty which he had marked out for himself by following the coffin like man who does not seek danger for he is ignorant of it. The crowd seemed struck by the moral thus to be drawn.
 AS General Saussier passed there had been a few plaudits, but he had l turned round and said, Silence, de want Ia mort" and there was silence. This had sufi1ced for the whole route, l and if when the new president passes l there were bows there was no attempt l at applause. "The silence of people l was lesson to kings" for that silence | showed that the crowd regarded the | presidents appearance not as bid | for cheering, but as the spontaneous ] act of man setting all an example of | duty and public gratitude. A French multitude Is won only by unostenta- tious courage, and therefore regret, must say in passing that in his letter resigning the presidency of the cham Der. M. Casimir-Perier should have said, T hope to be able to count on the 1 confidence of the republicans. That confidence I shall never betray." This was concession to the instnuatjons of socialist detractors. and many peo- pie would have preferred his saying that he placed his confidence in the entire people, thus becoming the, president not merely of the republicans but of all Frenchmen. mention this because to-day all hearts went out to him, and ne may be the man whose grand mis- sion is to make all French hearts beat n unison. A breath of peace more over is now passing over the world. The German emperor has been winning hearts, for people discern behind that martial figure heart to feel for human yriefs. To-day's ceremony bears the germs of peace, of oblivion and of 1ope All feel the necessity of combin- ng against the common enemy and of he only battle fn he %o,,vt h>ir, ~so