[21] The news of the check which the Maires of Paris had suffered in
the Assembly suddenly loosened the bond which for two days had united
the friends of order, and profound discouragement seized upon the
public mind. It was at this moment that the deputies from the
Committee presented themselves at the Mairie of the first
arrondissement, preceded by three pieces of artillery, a very warlike
accompaniment to a deputation. It was arranged that the Communal
election should be managed by the existing Maires, and that the
battalions of each quarter of the city, whether federal or not, should
occupy the voting places of their sections; but this did not prevent
the Committee on the following morning occupying the Mairie of
Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois, in spite of the arrangement, by their most
devoted battalions.
[22] The following are the terms in which the Commune spoke of the
events of the 18th March, and excused the murder of the two generals:
“CITIZENS,—The day of the 18th of March, which for interested
reasons has been travestied in the most odious manner, will be
called in history, The Day of the People’s Justice!
The Government, now subverted—always maladroit—rushed into a
conflict without considering either its own unpopularity, or the
fraternal feeling that animates the armies; the entire army, when
ordered to commit fratricide, replied with cries of “Vive la
République!” “Vive la Garde Nationale!”
Two men alone, who had rendered themselves unpopular by acts which
we now pronounce as iniquitous, were struck down in a moment of
popular indignation.
The Committee of the Federation of the National Guard, in order to
render homage to truth, declare it was a stranger to these two
executions.
At the present moment the ministries are constituted, the prefect
of police has assumed his duties, the public offices are again
active, and we invite all citizens to maintain the utmost calmness
and order.”