Dantès, Edmond (Fictitious character) -- Fiction; France -- History -- February Revolution, 1848
The furious and hitherto obdurate and bloodthirsty populace became
softened--tears were shed, arms were lowered--flags were thrown away,
and peaceably they departed to their homes. Never--never was there a
more glorious triumph of eloquence--of patriotism!
It was on the morning of Sunday, the 27th day of February, that the
Provisional Government deemed it prudent and proper for them to bring to
a close their initiative labors, and once more, for the last time,
Lamartine descended the steps of the great staircase of the Hotel de
Ville, and, presenting himself in front of the edifice surrounded by his
colleagues, announced to the vast assembly the result of their
protracted toil:
Royalty abolished--
A Republic proclaimed--
The people restored to their political rights--
National workshops opened--
The army and National Guard reorganized--
The abolition of death for political offences.
With louder and more prolonged acclamations than any other decree was
this last received. And, instantly, in accordance with this
proclamation, the director of criminal affairs, on the order of M.
Cremieux, Minister of Justice, dispatched on the wings of the wind, all
over France, the warrant to suspend all capital executions which were to
have taken place, in virtue of Royal decrees, until the will of the
National Assembly, at once to be convened, should be promulgated on the
subject of the penalty of death. The effects of this decree, as it sped
on the lightning's wings, like a saving angel, all over France, may be
imagined perhaps, but portrayal is impossible! Who can imagine even the
joy, the rapture it brought to many a dungeon-prisoner, who was counting
the hours that yet remained to him of life and preceded his awful doom,
or to those who sorrowed over his untimely--perchance his unjust fate!
Leaning on the arm of Louis Blanc, the youngest member of the
Government, the venerable Dupont de l'Eure, the eldest, accompanied by
the other members, now appeared on the balcony of the room formerly
called the Chamber of the Throne, but now the Chamber of the Republic!
Lamartine then advanced a step before his colleagues, and in a brief and
eloquent address proclaimed to that immense throng the existence of the
Republic.
The announcement was received with, acclamations of joy, and shouts of
"Vive le Gouvernement!"--"Vive Lamartine!"--"Vive Louis Blanc!" mingled
with those of "Vive la Republique!" loudly rose.
From the Hotel de Ville, the Provisional Government proceeded in a body,
despite the rain which fell in torrents, accompanied by the people, to
the Place de la Bastille, there officially to inaugurate the Republic,
agreeably to announcement.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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