Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/80

 There were two stamps on this paper—one with the words "République Française," and the other "Federation Républicaine." Thus had a revolution of blood and violence fully commenced. The insurgents were now the declared enemies of peaceful Paris, and must succeed, in order not to be called to account for the blood shed and robberies committed. They now held Paris in their grasp, utterly despising the National Assembly and its power.

The following is a copy of a report made by the General in command (formerly a dealer in old iron), at Montmartre.

"Report from 20th to 21st. Nothing new. I have received communications from the chief of ports. At five minutes past ten, two sergeants-de-ville, disguised as simple citizens, were brought up by some franc-tireurs, and immediately shot. At twenty minutes past twelve, a gardien-de-la-paix, accused of firing off a revolver, was also shot. At seven in the evening a gendarme, brought in by some Guards of the 28th battalion, was similarly put to death."

Seeing the danger of allowing matters to proceed in the above manner, the principal mayors of Paris, in conjunction with the deputies of the city, most of whom were advanced Republicans, desired to make a compromise with the Committee, and hold the elections at once; but the Government of Versailles refused to sanction this compromise, and issued a decree to hold the elections on the 3d of April, the day on which they were to be held throughout France. The Committee insisted they should be held in Paris on the 26th of March; consequently, a deputation, consisting of fourteen of the mayors of Paris, visited Versailles, to represent to the Assembly the advantages of compromising with the insurgents; but their