CHAP. L. 1848. soon after despatched, to stimulate the efforts of the first; and in many cases a third, to see what they both were doing. In some instances, as at Bourges, as was afterwards judicially proved, a fourth was added, who set out with the principle: "The poor are in want of bread; we must take the plate of the rich to furnish them with it." Not content with the authorised commissioners of Govern1 Proceed. ment, a perfect army of agents was despatched from the Bourges,32; clubs over all France to join in the same work, all paid 1848, 127. by funds secretly provided by the Minister of the Interior.1 Ann. Hist. 50. National Guard. March 14. When such elements of discord existed, not only in Decree dis- the State, but in the Provisional Government itself, it solving the flank com- was only a question of time when an open rupture was panies of the to take place between them. It was brought on, however, somewhat sooner than had been expected, by an ordonnance of Ledru-Rollin, published on 14th March, ordering the dissolution of the flank companies, or compagnies d'élite as they were called, of the National Guard, and the dispersion of their members, without distinction or equipment, among the ordinary companies of the legion. The object of this was to destroy the exclusive aspect and moral influence of these companies, which, being composed of the richer class of citizens, formed the nucleus of a body which naturally inclined to conservative principles, and might impede the designs of the extreme revolutionary party. To "democratise," as it was called, the whole body, the decree ordered these companies to be dispersed among the others, and the whole to vote together for the election of the officers, which was to take place in a few days. As the National Guard of Paris, which had been reorganised on the principle of admitting every one without distinction who could shoulder a musket, constituted a body of nearly 200,000 men, any measure affecting their composition or government was a most important matter; and this decree, which threatened to swamp the whole respectability and L. 1848. intelligence of the body by its indigence and ignorant CHAP. violence, excited the greatest discontent among the companies threatened with dissolution. A meeting, accordingly, was held of their officers, when it was resolved to have a grand military demonstration, to ward off, if possible, the threatened blow. The project originated with the staff of the Second Legion, which was the most conservative of the whole body, and it was readily embraced by that entire legion and a considerable part of the others. It was resolved to assemble on the following day in strength, and proceed in uniform, but without 1 Cassagnac, arms, to the Hôtel de Ville, to demand a repeal of the 339-341; obnoxious decree. At one in the forenoon of the 16th, ac- 1848, 129; cordingly, 25,000 men of the compagnies d'élite marched 192, 193; to the Place de Grève, and soon began to fill all the ap- i. 235, 236. proaches to the Hôtel de Ville.1 i. Lam. ii. Normanby, tion on and its fail ure. How formidable soever this demonstration was, both 51. in appearance and reality, it failed in its object from Demonstrawant of unity in design and vigour in execution in those March 16, intrusted with its direction. Without arms or any settled plan of procedure, the flank companies constituted only a well-dressed mob, exposed by their uniform and equipments to the jealousy and dislike of the immense majority of their fellow-citizens. Several of them were obstructed and forced to turn back, before reaching the place of rendezvous, by armed mobs or other bodies of the National Guard, who had obtained intelligence of their designs. Those who did reach the Hôtel de Ville found. the approach to it occupied by an immense body, who were calling out, "Vive Ledru-Rollin!" and singing the Marseillaise." It was evident the design had got wind: the demonstration had failed of its moral effect, and could be rendered successful only by force, for which, without arms, they were not prepared. Lamartine was loudly cheered as he passed through the ranks on his way to the Hôtel de Ville; but Ledru-Rollin was as vehemently applauded by the still more numerous body which encir L. 1848. CHAP. cled the building, and prevented the deputation of the flank companies from obtaining an entrance. After waiting two hours in impotent silence, the compagnies d'élite, seeing the multitude which opposed their progress hourly increasing, at length obeyed the voice of M. de Lamartine, who entreated them, and General Courtais their commander, who ordered them, to retire. They withdrew, accordingly, at four o'clock, amidst the derision and hisses of the multitude, covered with the obloquy with which an unsuccessful demonstration never fails to invest those by whom it has been attempted. General Courtais next day issued an order of the day, in which he stigmatised the compagnies d'élite, who had taken part in the de343, 344; monstration, as "misled men, who were the instruments 1848, 129. of impotent wrath, so different from the people who suffer, but await." 1 1 Lam. ii. 201-205; Cass. i. 341, Ann. Hist. 52. monstration The real meaning of these words was made manifest Counter-de- on the following day. For some time past a great deof March 17, monstration had been in preparation, emanating from the Socialists of the Luxembourg, and intended to force the Government into the immediate appointment of a Minister for "the Organisation of Labour," and into the measures for equalising and raising wages, and providing State employment for all, which M. Louis Blanc and the commission which sat there had for a fortnight been promising. The demonstration had been fixed for the 17th; but it was rendered much more formidable and imposing by the failure of the counter-display on the preceding day, which united in it many ambitious and unscrupulous characters who were not originally intended to have formed part. Louis Blanc, Albert, and their colleagues at the Luxembourg, had projected the movement, and Ledru-Rollin had assented to it-the former, from a desire to have Socialism fully established before the National Assembly met; the latter, because he feared that without some great additional stimulus its spirit would not be so democratic as he wished. But, unknown to these leaders, other L. 1848. ambitious spirits combined to take advantage of the CHAP. projected movement. The design had got wind; the clubs were in motion; and Blanqui, Cabet, and Raspail, decided and ardent democrats, who acted for themselves, and took directions from none, had roused the whole republican strength of the capital, in order to effect a movement which might overawe the Provisional Government, and possibly establish themselves in their room. At ten in the morning a few men entered the Boulevards, shouting "Ça ira!" which speedily assembled a crowd, who repeated it; and a placard was quickly posted 1 Cass. i. through the city, which bore-"The people watch with 343346; jealousy manifestations against those of the Government Pages who have given so many pledges to the Revolution. We xi.; Muawait with confidence the realisation of the promises of vol. 481; Government. The people have shed their blood in de- 1848, 130. fence of the Republic; they are ready to do so again."1 L. Blanc, d'Hist. c. railles, Re Ann. Hist. of the col the Hotel At noon the mob, which by this time had swelled to 53. an enormous multitude, advanced in silence and military Appearance rank towards the Hôtel de Ville, which was only pro- umn which tected by three battalions of the Civic Guard. Their approached appearance is thus described by an eyewitness: "Every de Ville. minute the Provisional Government went to the balcony of the Hôtel de Ville, from whence the column might be seen approaching. At length it made its appearance. The front of the body was composed of five or six hundred of the élite of the clubs of Paris, marching in military order under the guidance of their most renowned orators. They advanced forty abreast, with their hands held together after the fashion of a religious procession, and round each group a long tricolor or red scarf was bound like a vast girdle. In front of each company were three men and a woman, who bore red flags, the well-known emblems of a bloody revolution. Their appearance excited terror, and in some places indignation, in the mob who surrounded them. Behind this organised procession of the clubs came thirty or forty thousand VOL. VIII. S L. 1848. 1 Lam. ii. CHAP. workmen, grave in aspect, decently clothed, saddened in expression, who seemed oppressed by the calamities of their situation. This immense crowd inundated the whole Place de Grève, and extended from the Hôtel de Ville along the quays to the Champs Elysées. By one o'clock it was evident that above an hundred and twenty thou207, 208. sand men were collected." "When I saw the procession advancing from the balcony of the Hôtel de Ville," says Louis Blanc, "my eyes filled with tears of joy." Their approach brought to light the violent dissensions in the Provisional Government. In the fulness of his heart at what seemed his approaching triumph, Ledru-Rollin said to his colleagues-"Do you know that your popularity is as nothing to mine? I have but to open that window and call upon the people, and you would every one of 2 Moniteur, you be turned into the street. Do you wish me to try?" 1848, and rising and moving towards the window. Upon this, L. Blanc, Garnier Pagès walked up to him, drew a pistol from his manby, i. pocket, placed it at Ledru-Rollin's breast, and said "If you make one step towards that window, it shall be your last." Ledru-Rollin paused a moment, and sat down.2 c. xi.; Nor 239; Lam. ii. 208. 54. of the Clubs and the Govern ment, When this formidable demonstration reached the railInterview ing in front of the Hôtel de Ville, they found the gates closed, and Colonel Rey, the officer in command, refused them admittance. At the request of Ledru-Rollin and Louis Blanc, however, it was agreed to admit a limited number within the barrier to state what their wishes were. When the deputation entered, the members of the Government rose up, and remained standing while the discussion, which continued several hours, lasted. The sight of their faces, however, considerably abated the satisfaction of the extreme portion of the Government. In addition to those whom they expected, and who were in their interest, Ledru-Rollin and Louis Blanc beheld a number of others who were unknown to them, but who, being in the train of Blanqui, Sobrier, Raspail, Lacambre, and others, known to be extreme Revolutionists, were |