Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/211

 "What can I say to you, citizens, after the eloquent words of Felix Pyat? You are about to commit a great act of fraternity in placing your banner upon the ramparts of our city, and in placing yourselves in the ranks against our enemies of Versailles. (Yes, yes!—bravos.)

"Citizens, brothers: Permit me to give to one of you the fraternal embrace."

(The Citizen Beslay embraces one of the Freemasons placed near him. Applause—"Vive la Commune!" "Vive la République!")

A Freemason, banner in hand:—"I claim the honor of planting the first banner on the ramparts of Paris, the banner of Perseverance, which has existed since 1790. (Bravos.)

The music of the battalion played La Marseillaise.

Citizen Léo Meillet:—"You have just heard the only music to which we can listen before a definitive peace.

"Here is the red flag which the Commune of Paris offers to the Masonic deputations.

"This flag should accompany your pacific banners; it is the flag of universal peace, the flag of our federative rights, around which we should all group ourselves to prevent, for the future, any hand, however powerful it may be, from throwing us one upon the other, except for an embrace. (Prolonged applause.)

"It is the flag of the Commune of Paris, which the Commune is about to confide to the Freemasons. It will be placed in front of your banners, and before the homicidal balls of Versailles.

"When you bring them back, these banners of Freemasonry, be they torn or intact, the flag of the Commune will not have failed. It will have accompanied them in the midst of the fire—it will be the proof of their inseparable union." (Fresh applause.)