Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/72

 streets on the previous day, assembled on the Place de l'Opera about one o'clock. They were without arms, and most respectable in appearance—few blouses, if any, were to be seen. Their intention was the same as the day before, viz., to promenade the boulevards in crying "Vive la République!" "Vive l'Ordre!" "Vive l'Assemblée Nationale!" Between one and two o'clock a picket of insurrectionary National Guards advanced by the Rue de de la Paix, with an order to disperse this peaceable multitude. At sight of the menacing attitude of these armed men, the crowd commenced to shout: "Vive l'Ordre!" "Vive l'Assemblée Nationale!" and succeeded by their words in causing the National Guards to retire towards Place Vendome. When it was seen that these guards thus gave way before words of conciliation, the crowd entered in a body, with the object of passing through the Place. Among the multitude no other cry was heard but "Vive l'Ordre!" "Vive la République!" "Vive l'Assemblée Nationale!" It thus proceeded to the entrance of Place Vendome, a distance of about three hundred yards, when it was opposed by the National Guards, who stood at "charge bayonets," drums beating "to arms;" but the noise was drowned in the continued cries of "Vive l'Ordre!" "Vive l'Assemblée Nationale!" A group of citizens, who had arrived by the way of Rue Neuve des Capucines, carrying a tricolored flag, advanced to the front, where the Guards barred the passage. As they advanced, the cries of "Vive l'Ordre!" were redoubled, and a general waving of handkerchiefs and hats, hoisted on the end of sticks, took place—and every one looked forward to a happy denoûment of the affair. Vanquished by this pacific and patriotic manifestation, some of the guards raised the butt-end of their muskets, others peaceably crossed their bayonets; and it was seen and felt that in a few more minutes the insurrection would melt away