The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-20
EMIT THE "MARSEILLATSE!"
Deputy Robert Mitchells Recollecttons OF
the Glorious Old Song.

Must the "Marseillaise" go once more into
retirement in France. TO make room. this
time for the "Internationale. the song OF
the Socialists, with which the Cabinet Minis
tiers are now greeted? The greeting must
have queer sound to some Of their ears. for
in one Of the verses Of the "Internationale-
there is an order TO French soldiers, should
war ever again he declared. to shoot down
their own officers and Generals In the interest
of peace and Of the brotherhood OF man. 1t
appears that the words Of the "Morseillsise'
have become seditious. Arise. sons OF
French soil" is too insignificant an order
for the proud citizens OF the world. The in
sulting reference to the blood-red nag OF
tyranny" cannot be tolerated. The RED
flag is the odd Glory Of the Socialists. 1t
must be respected In France. No one eN-
cept a reactionary Nationalist would speak.
much less sing; of the holy love Of country
and only an unauthorized monk would
| preach about beloved liberty" Therefore.
| the "Marseillaise' must go.
Well. after all, who knows II may como
back again Few war songs. indeed, says
| the French Deputy. Robert Mitchell, whose
rccollections are published in most OF the
Paris papers. have had more varied OF
nv" II nder the Empire it was dan gerous to sing
the 'Marselaise in public. The song q
the the patriots. which nursed the Republic. fell
aroused il suddenly. tragically. War was
declared France was about to cross swords
with Germany. and to fortify our confidence
in ourselves, to stimulate our hopes. me most
glorious ages OF our history were not SUI !.
ficient. therefore it was from legends that
we borrowed our ideas and took our counsels.
than the heroes Of jena. ani everywhere
corps OF free shooters we're "'!anlZed TO DO
Hs herSS w Issa and ' SsI H for Sn ae Eesa
thouvht that the 'Marsel iise' would rejoice
ali hearts and terrify the enemy As Emile
de Girardin said. it was worth more IMAM
ny decree OF the Empress Regent ! vas
made chef De battalion Of the mobiles Of Ba1
yonne. After the battle Of k toiS 81" Io
"yss IF the he guard With my friend Paul de
,rn, snac Almost immsdatsly We re-
tn" dsT % 5eafh the eS Srm Of bae
our departure we went to the Opera with a
few friends Of the regiment. The moment
we entered s 1r h@T o our the entire "" ad
enc" arose " p's Somebody shouted. La Mar
s"llise They did not want snd 70 I'M hear the
ment continued until the curtain rose and
the the glorious ii news that NJ Faure would sins
the 'MarselllaiSe.
in The III Uniform mi Of an officer of Mobiles and
|, holding the flag in his hand. N Emile DC
Grardin was in tn: front row He l bounded 20
ef E1ervbod o6eyed and 'e vhef
, Faurs commenced the repu, lean seng which
tional hymn of m" Empire, the enthusiasm
OF the audience broke, through the walls o.
the building and reached the crowd in tbs
Il came gu. with NJ. Emile DO Girardin
You are nboHt to sa1t upon m,''1a sTopp[ prom
ready conquered Prussia and killed tho re
public And aS we we're returning 70 on
. TIE day of glory has arrived"
e when We left Paris, a few friends accom-
. panied Us 10 the railroad depot ANON
d Latour Sant-Yhars He demonstrated, +
h me marhematically how we We're bound Z
!, from my memory the luVuihrious prophes
Of Prince Napoleon. Don't say an. revoi
to me- said h." say rather ad,"u' This thin
: "It was ~ ChAlons- sur Marine that ! hear
J.. the Marsellaise for the last time before N
return FROM captivity. pn' , de Hassa gna
- the way TO reach the army Of MacMahon, VII
" had lust left the camp after having burned il
" Our appearance and our questions arouse
both wore the Cross of the .ezon Of Homo
We we're arrested. They took u; for Prussia
soes and a. We we're gong e ,h. Police sa
,r in which they expressed their ardent, desir
N that our impure blood might 'drench the
field
ID our czaminotion hesoT when p,. suddden!y
claimed Casa 4nac With smil" II was ~,
Chalons in time to get lis ont Of our troubl
=, our papers were all right, but the Maalstra,
v, remarked with u smile as he shook hands wit
"a Ms 'Rascals are usually better provided vii
n nassrorts nd letters Of recommendation tina
N honest folk can ever b"