The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-05-16
TODAY I'M HISTORY
MONDAY, MAY 16. 1910.
Wedding Day OF Marie Antolnette.

WeuulnS Day or MARIE Rntolnettes
Today, May 16. lI1O, at Versailles,
Marie Antolnette was married TO the
Dauphln OF France, who later became
Louis XVI. Versailles mad never looked
as lovely, no similar ceremony In France
was ever attended with more elaborate
preparations. and no similar ceremony In
the world was ever accompanied with
more uncommon spiendor. But immedi-
aiely atter the ceremony thunder storm
OF unparalleled violence broke over the
palace of Versailles, darkcnng the sur
rounding scenery, and striking Terror In
TO the hearts OF the people FOR miles
around ii was looked upon as an Ill
omen by the accomplished and beautiful
queen and her friends.
This Incident. however, did not deter
the people from continuing the elaborate
ceremonies and festivals they had ar.
ranged. On May 80 the festivities at
rarIs were saddened by most terri
Die accident. numDcr OF citizens being
crushed 10 death IN the Rue Royale by
some mismanagemeut on the part OF the
proper authorities. EiIty-tnrce persons
were found dead, and three hundred more
dangerously injured.
Marie Antolnette was the daughter OF
Francis l. and Maria Theresa. and was
oorn al Vienna IN lIoo. Her accomplish
ments, talents. grace. virtue and uncom-
mon lovelIness ntted ncr Tor the queen
OF a gallant nation. and as such She
would nave been honored In France had
she lived before oppression mad reused
lna people TO madness.
Her mother, In "A letter to her future
husband. after abiding t0 me care with
when she mad formed ner mind, says
Above all Things, ! have recommended
To her humility before God, because / am
convinced that IT rs impossible FOR us
TO secure the happiness Of the subjects
conhded TO us without love TO Him, VINO
destroys the scepterS and the thrones OF
kings, according to His VIE
The magnammlty OF Marie Antoinette
displayed itself soon after her elevation
TO The throne, on the death oil Louis XIV.
An officer OF the podyguard, VINO mad
given offence on some lormer OCCASION
expressed his intention OF reslgninS, Dut
the queen forbade MIN. Remain, sald
she. forget the past Far be II Tor the
queen TO avenge the injuries Oh the dau-
phlncss.
interest OF the people. she became OBJ
noXious To the court party, and her char
acter was aSsalled IN every shape ana
quarter, She was accused OF setting on
loot conspiracles which never existed, ana
of entertaining views which never en-
tered her mind. She was termed the
Austrian. and II was Insnuated that her
heart was estranged from the country OF
neT husband
The long gathering cloud broke In
storm In 1898, on the 9Th OF October
the mob broke into the palace of Yer
sdllles, murdered some OF the bodyguard
and threatened the queen in the most
frightful language, She was advised 10
Iiee. Instead she and the king appeared
on the balcony with their children ana
tried TO appease the rurlIan assemblage
outside. Silence was broken by a thou
sand tongues; mo children! No chill
dren, The queen! Tho queen alone!'
1t was a trying moment. The queen
placed the children in the arms OF her
husband and advanced alone into the
balcony. y spectacle like this hl!ed the
fierce people with admiration, and thun-
dering shouts OF Long live the queen!
succeeded TO the imprecatons OF the
preceding moment.
The fate OF Queen Marie Antolnette
darkeucd rapidly. however and with her
husband she was placed on trial. charged
with having squandercd the public money
and with leaguing in secret with the for
ciGn enemies of the country. She was
doomed TO die on the scanold.
on October l6 1893. she was behcaded.
AS she dscended the scafTold, My God
she cried, "enlighten and affect my exc
cutioner. Adieu, my children-my be-
loved ones-forcver. ] am going 10 your
faIher!' Louis XVI had been guillotined
on January 81, 1898.