The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-24
THE PARIS COMMUNE.
Socialist Labor Party Celebrates An
niversnry i'm Germanin Hall.

niversary i'm Germanin Hall.
The thirty-first anniversary Of the com
mune of Paris was celebrated by tile So
cialist party of Marion county in Ger
mania Hall last night with a programme
Of speeches. music and dance. James
oNeal, of Terre Haute, was the speaker
of the evening. Much OF his address was
devoted to an explanation Of the festival
and history of the establishment OF the
commune of Paris. He said the observa-
ton of the anniversary is not celebration
OF the bloody rioting incident TO the over
throw of the commune. but that il was the
celebration OF the establishment OF the
commune.
The issues which led up to the establish
ment of the commune, he said, were an
agitation for autonomy for the city or
Paris, to separate its government from the
national government the same as States
are in this country, and for universal sur
frage. BY vote the commune was estab-
lished and the government then removed
its seat to Versailles. Those who took the
side of the French government under the
presidency of Thiers," he said, charged
the commuters with being revolutionists
and resorJed to the use of arms; also that
they were a party OF vandals, pillagers
and plunderers, and attribute the course OF
events which followed the commune to
those who established IL. But prominent
witnesses, many who were neutral or OPP
scene, admit that under the commune gov
eminent there was a better administration
than under the capitalist rule. Under this
government ii was the first time in the
history of Paris that persons could walk
the streets OF that city after night and not
be in danger. Not a single murder or rob
berry took place in the city under the ad-
ministration. But, on the contrary, when
the commune was oVerthrown by govern
ment troops. the government slaughtered
the people without regard TO sex or age.
guilt or innocence. Little children from
rebels, and the slaughtering continued
for days after the commune was over
thrown, without justification. Men were
shot down like dogs in the street and the
slaughter only ceased when the decaying
bodies threatened pestilence.'
In closing ne said the celebration was not
to commemorate the wholesale slaughter,
but the sacrifices made 10 establish the
principle of the commune. The Socialists
he said. were no more active i'm the estab-
lishment of the commune than other
classes-it. was a political revolution
workingmen'S alliance had been organized
and through this body the agitation began,
although there was an undercurrent or
socialism in the movement. About twen.E
of these men were elected to office when
the commune was esta blished, he said, and
il is their identity in the administration
that has involved the Socialists.
George Mueller delivered an address in
German along the same lines, giving a his
tory of the commune and the causes which
led up TO it's establishment and overthrow.
CatalanO's Orchestra furnished music for
the programme and dance The Harugari
Saengerchor sang several songs and other
numbers were solos by Miss Anna Davids.
a violin solo by Willie Greuling, a from
bone solo 10y Herman Goth and a selection
by Mrs EInilee Hoffman,.