There is a strong determinat o s in France to
resist the restoration of fanaticism. As long as the clergy are quiet, they are not male- treated, but the reverse. As soon, however, as they show any symp- tonis of a design to impose the old mummeries on the people, disorders ensue. This was the case at Angottkme on the 14th of this month, according to the following account given in a Paris paper-
" Under the Restoration, the IMsionorie., had planted a cross near the church of St. Peter, and facing the street of Friedland, (in Angouleme,) which the municipal autherities caused to be rentuved, as offensive to the public eye, at the Revolution of July. This operation was attended with no disturbance ; the most perfect harmony was snou restored b tween the clergy and the inhabitants ; sa much so, that for the last two years the former resumed the processions through the streets, which they had prudently sus- pended for some time, and were never in the least molested in the exercise of their ecclesiastical functions. Encouraged by these happy dispositions of the people of Angoulaie, the Bishop resolved on reerecting the cross on the spot where it formerly stood ; but, as Ire knew that it !night be dangerous to pro- ceed to do so with pomp, he ordered it to be put up in the night. Agreeably to his directions, the cm oss was raised at four o'clock in the morning of the 14th. No sooner was the circumstance known in the town and suburbs, than the people congregated in large numbers, and threatened to take it down. The prelate was informed of these menaces, and invited to order its removal in order to prevent an inevitable scandal ; but refused to comply with the wishes of the authorities and the peaceable inhabitants of the town. All entreatits being vain, the Municip it Council met at five &cock in the evening, and decided that the ground on which the cross was planted, being the property of the town, awl its erecti an on that site an encroachment on that property, and moreover that the rais- ing thereof had taken place by night and clandestinely, and that it was likely to oc- casion disturbances, t lie Commissary of Police should proceed to take it down that very day, and at the expense of the party whom it concerned. At eight o'clock, accordingly, the palice.officers repaired to the spot to execute their mission; when the multitude breaking into the enclosure after them, seized on the cross the moment the workmen had lowered it from its basis, and carried it through the streets, singing the 'Marseillaise. The authorities having only a few gen- darmes and about 80 soldiers of the Line at their disposal, could oppose no resistance to the people; who, on reaching the square of the Prefecture, burned the cross under the windows of the Prefect. The next morning, the Attorney- General issued warrants against nine persons; who were immediately committed to prison. The day passed off quietly; but in the evening the people again collected in considerable numbers, and demanded the liberation orthe prisoners. Some gendarmes and troops having come in during the day, the authorities were this time better able to enforce obedience to their orders ; and the people, after again singing the Mare illaise, dispersed with little or no resistance."
Previous page
