Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/53

 *mittee, holding its sittings at the Hotel de Ville, with the following heading:

"Republican Federation of the National Guard. Organ of the Central Committee."

, March 19.

":—You had charged us with organizing the defence of Paris and of its rights, and we are convinced that we have fulfilled this mission. Aided by your generous courage and your admirable sang-froid, we have expelled the government which was betraying us.

"At this moment our mandate has expired, and we again deliver it up to you, inasmuch as we do not pretend to take the place of those whom the popular breath has just overthrown. Prepare yourselves, and immediately make your communal elections, and give us for recompense the only one we ever hoped for—the true Republic. In the meantime we retain, in the name of the people, the Hotel de Ville.

"Assi, Bilhoray, Ferrat, Babick, Edouard, Moreau, C. Dupont, Varlin, Boursier, Martier, Gushier, Lavalette, Fr. Jourde, Rousseau, Ch. Lullier, Blanchet, J. Grollard, Barroud, H. Geresme, Fabre, Pougerot."

The following proclamation was also posted on the walls of the city, addressed to the people, and signed by the same names as above:

":—The people of Paris have shaken off the yoke sought to be imposed upon it. Calm, impassible in its strength, it awaited without fear as without provocation the shameless madmen who would destroy the Republic.

"This time our brothers of the army were unwilling to lay a hand on the sacred ark of our liberties. Thanks be to all, and let Paris and France together establish the basis