Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-07-15
WYE La FRANCE

WYE La FRANCE
The Fourteenth Of July is a day saered~ip the an
nas OF France. Just as the Fourth is sacred in the annals
Of the United States. Each day is inscribed in glowing
niversary Of an event Of wonderful significance in the
history Of mankind.
In point Of time the day which we now observe as
the great national holiday in America received its bap-
tism OF liberty first. for on that day there was created
on the western shores OF the Atlantic a new nation which
was destined to be a potent force in establishing the
cause of Liberty throughout the world. Fourteen years
later. on the 14th of July. after a long and fruitless ef-
fort to obtain from their monarch the recognition Of
their rights as free citizens. the French people brought
their great revolutionary movement to a climax by seiz-
ing the Bastille~tn Paris. and the day has since been
celebrated in France as the anniversary Of the real
creation Of the French republic.
The French revolution was marked by military
activities. and the taking Of the Bastille had its signta-
canoe in the chaotic struggle for military advantage.
But the event Is celebrated for its sentimental rather
than its military Importance. Architecturaily the Bias
tile was a great fortress which had as It's nucleus an
ancient central structure. around which had been clus-
tered through the years a collection of other edihces,
strong, grim and f%orbidding. Created as a defensive
fertilization, 1t became used, at first occasionally. then
generally, and at last almost exclusively as a prison, and
a prison Of peculiar type. In it were incarcerated, not
those who had been convicted of violations of the law of
the land. but those who were suspected or accused Of
political ofrenses, and those who, because of the whim
of some transient despot, it was deemed advisable to
separate from the activities of life. Because of this
use, and because of the traditions which surrounded it,
the Basulle typifed to the French mind despotism and
tyranny, and the capture and destruction of the build
ing represented to the people the destruction of an evil
force which had barred their way to freedom.
The signing Of the Declaration of Independence aid
not solve all the problems of government for America,
and the taking Of the Bastille did not place France upon
an unimpeded highway to free constitutional govern
ment. We know something of the problems which
have confronted Americans in the meantime. We may
read. too. Of the struggles of France. The French revo-
lutionists, like many others, destroyed a government
without having anything quite ready to take it's place.
anarchy. French republics and communes have been
formed and destroyed, to be succeeded by other govern
ments in which react1onary FORCES seemed to have full
sway. # remained for France. after the taking Of the
Bastille. to see the history Of Rome repeated in her ex-
perience, and the military genius who had been employed
to- give effect to the will of the democracy develop into
a military tyrant against whom it was necessary for the
world to take arms. France was to experience a return
to the Bourbons, and again to the bonapartists under
Napoleoh n Llttle. ana 1t look the fiery afHiction Of
the Franco-Prussian war to weld the nation into the
strong and enduring republic which we see today.
But through it all the spirit of freedom In France
has never been quenched. There have been dark days.,
and days in which there seemed to be no basis for
hope. But behind, and beyond, and above the ambitions
of the despot and the noise Of the professional disturber,
the uncomfortable will Of France to be free guided the
nation on, and it is that spirit which has sustained her
through the four years Of awful trial which she has
endured in this war.
1t is fitting that the day should be celebrated
throughout the civilized world. as the natal day Of our
own nation. has Just been celebrated by loyal friends
and earnest co-workers. France is bleeding. France
feels the faintness which comes from long exertion with
out intermission. France has given of her best and
bravest that the world may be free. But, bleeding and
weary though she may be, the spirit of France shines
forth through clear eyes. and the weapons of France
are clasped with steady hand
vve Ia France!