Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/281

 There was also an order from Citizen Fontaine, Director-General of Domains, directing that in reply to the tears and menaces of Thiers, the "bombarder," and to the laws passed by the rural Assembly, his accomplices, all the objects of art and valuable books found in his hotel should be sent to the national museums and libraries. The furniture was to be sold by auction, and the proceeds distributed amongst the families of the National Guards killed defending Paris. A similar destination was assigned to the moneys arising from the sale of the house materials. This, with numerous other decrees of a similar character, created considerable dissensions among the members of the Commune. The minority, or more respectable portion of that body, resolved at the sitting that was to take place the following day, to read a declaration intending to put an end to the misunderstandings existing; but the absence of the majority prevented the transaction of any business. In consequence, they published the following manifesto:

"By a special and precise vote the Commune of Paris abdicated its power into the hands of a dictatorship, to which it has given the name of 'Committee of Public Safety.'

"The majority, by its vote, declared itself irresponsible, and abandoned all care of our situation to the new body.

"The minority, to which we belong, asserts, on the contrary, that the Commune owes to the political and social revolutionary movement the duty of accepting every responsibility and not declining any, however worthy may be the hands to which they might be confided.

"As for ourselves, we desire, like the majority, the accomplishment of the political and social renovation; but, contrary to its idea, we claim, in the name of the suffrages