Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/206

 and affliction that any body of Freemasons should have presumed to declare that "Masonry would plant its banner on the ramparts of Paris, and in case of its being pierced by a ball would in a body take part in the struggle." Such a declaration, the writer affirmed, was in entire opposition to the tenets of the order, the mission of which always was to forward conciliation and peace.

The following letter, from the highest dignitary of the Masonic order in the French capital, was sent to several of the journals:

"You have announced that the Supreme Council of Freemasons would hold a meeting on Monday. If you had specified the hour and place, I should have felt that my duty required me to attend. But no convocation having been made, I, as guardian of the general regulations, protest against all resolutions taken independently of the Grand Central Lodge of France; and I remind my brothers that Masons are bound to fight only against a foreign invader.

"Accept, etc.,

", "Orator of the Supreme Council."

This document emanated from the sole voice that had a right to be heard, and was a warning to the brotherhood, and a piece of useful information to the public.

Notwithstanding the above, a large number of adherents of the Commune met at the Hotel de Ville on the morning of the 29th, whence it had been announced that the entire body of Freemasons would start on a last pacific demonstration, to plant the banner of that body on the ramparts; and should the Versailles troops dare to fire on it, the whole order would take up arms in defence of the Commune.

At nine o'clock in the morning a cortège with flags and