15 July 1789

Editor’s Box (printed with every issue)

The Parisian People’s Press is fearless in proudly proclaiming its support of the revolutionary cause. In the names of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity, we print the word of enlightenment and justice. We are fair but admittedly

unbalanced. We also write anonymously. It is not the person that is important; it is the ideas behind his words.

ALSO IN THIS EDITION:

This Week’s News (Page 2): A Victory for the Republic

Cartoon Page (Page 3): Today’s cover story continued

Editorial Page (Back Page): On the Just Revolution and its Significance and

The Merit of the National Assembly

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THE PEOPLE CAPTURE THE BASTILLE!

CELEBRATIONS IN THE STREETS

OF PARISPARIS- Yesterday, on July 14, 1789, the streets of Paris were filled with rioters celebrating the fall of the Bastille. A few hundred rioters successfully seized over thirteen thousand kilograms of gunpowder and freed seven prisoners who were detained inside. Estimates said that about one hundred rioters were killed in the battle. The riot began peacefully, with hundreds of Parisians protesting outside the walls of the Bastille. The protestors called for the loads of gunpowder and for the surrender of the fortress. Although negotiations persisted throughout the day, the rioters apparently grew tiresome and began an attack. Responding to a question as to why there was a violent assault, one protester said, “Because Louis the Monarch still

has absolute authority. It’s as simple as that. The supporters of the Crown have been brainwashed into endorsing this tradition of kingship. For too long we have not considered this government to be wrong.

Now they think, since it has not been deemed wrong, that it is right. It is our job to have our voice heard by Sire Louis. We demand republican government! That is why we endeavored to acquire the gunpowder.”

Thus, as the afternoon wore on, shots from guns and cannons could be heard in the streets of Paris. While almost one hundred Parisians perished, it is believed that only one of the

(Please see Bastille on Page 3)

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A VICTORY FOR THE REPUBLIC

AN OATH ON THE COURTS

VERSAILLES- Just weeks ago, on June 20, 1789, the French history books required a reprinting. Despite the royal edict forbidding the congregating of the National Assembly to construct a new constitution for the Kingdom, the National Assembly took an oath to do so. Never wishing to succumb to irrational decrees, the members swore to stay together and meet as much as possible until a new constitution was written and agreed upon.

“The National Assembly,” the Oath began, “…has been called to establish the constitution of the realm, to bring about the regeneration of public order, and to maintain the true principles of monarchy.” With their rationale behind the Oath now justified, the deputies of the National Assembly endeavored to pledge their allegiance to one another. To the consensus of all deputies, the Tennis Court Oath, as it is being called,

proclaimed “that all members of this assembly immediately take a solemn oath never to separate, and to reassemble wherever circumstances require, until the constitution of the realm is established and fixed upon solid foundations; and that… each [member] individually confirm[s] this unwavering resolution with his signature.” Critics of the Oath quickly denounced any significance. “This is an outrage,” cried one opponent of the Oath. “What a complete and utter sham in defiance of the divine rule of the King! These minions will never create a constitution without Louis’s consent!”

Advocates of the Oath, including the writers here at the Parisian People’s Press, expressed joviality at the notion of a covenant to concoct a constitution based on enlightenment principles. A multitude of supporters all agreed in the belief that the Oath was a major step towards the formation of a constitutional monarchy. “This is the first time we in the National Assembly have publicly challenged Louis’s authority,” a deputy exclaimed blissfully. “This should coerce Louis into making concessions to the power of the people and excite the streets of France into forcefully calling for a constitution. We in the

National Assembly are undoubtedly in a euphoric state right now and the vast majority of Frenchmen will appreciate today’s success story when the news reaches their homes.” While the Parisian People’s Press has a source close to Louis, he declined to comment on last month’s occurrences. Our source did suggest, however, that the King had originally dismissed the actions of the National Assembly but had later expressed considerations for a policy of appeasement towards the people’s deputies. Today, most Parisians believe that the National Assembly is gaining power while Louis is steadily losing control. With the entire country, we Parisians now wait anxiously to see what will happen next in this delicate struggle for power.

-de France

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Gardes Françaises was actually killed in the battle. By late afternoon, the protectors of the Bastille received a promulgation from Governor de Launay to sign a cease-fire. It is evident that de Launay feared a massacre of his soldiers. He dreaded that the rioters were formulating a plan and that they would rise up and charge the fortress. But when the governor’s terms reached the demonstrators, they refused them. Finally, after the governor felt his troops could no longer

Bastille(continued from Page 1)

desired an end to the conflict. We were fighting for justice. Yet, when the fight was over, our actions constituted another form of injustice: terror.” Putting aside every single event that took place yesterday, the rioters were still jovial about what they had accomplished. As the spectator himself put it, “Nevertheless, I’m glad the Republic has emerged triumphant. I truly am.”

-de Paris

defend the Bastille, de Launay surrendered. The prisoners of the castle were subsequently freed as the capitulated guards and the governor were taken hostage. A half-dozen guardsmen were then publicly executed. Governor de Launay, suffering a much worse punishment, was dragged by the belligerent rioters to the Hôtel de Ville and nearly beaten to death along the way. His eventual fate also execution, de Launay was stabbed countless times. After his body fell to the

ground, he was beheaded and placed on a stick to be carried throughout the streets of Paris in celebration. The battle, proclaimed the public, was over. “Victory for the Republic!” chanted rioters. “Victory is ours!” Of course, not all rioters were satisfied with the conclusion of the siege. “That is not the way an enlightened, civilized people should act after our foes have surrendered,” said one spectator. “They had capitulated. They had

What do I do

without Hell?

Reactions to the Fall of the Bastille…

?

?

?

-Pierre 1789

We’re coming

up, Louis!

The Ladder

of Power

The National Assembly-Pierre 1789

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Op-Ed: The Merit of the National Assembly

The National Assembly has undergone intense castigation from the First and the Second Estates since its creation on June 17, 1789. It does not equally represent the estates, one criticism goes. It does not act in the King’s interests, goes another. Yet another criticism has materialized that the National Assembly fails to act in the wellbeing of the Kingdom as a whole. After a mere second of enlightened thought on the matter, it’s becomes obvious that these allegations are utterly false.

It is one-hundred percent true that the National Assembly does not act in the interests of each estate. This is because the National Assembly endeavors not to promote the welfare of each individual estate, but of each individual person. It is the amalgamation of every estate into one common faction composed of all Frenchmen. It unifies the whole of France and shows us that we are all in this together. It equally represents the estates because there is only one True Estate, and every member of that sacred estate deserves representation.

The National Assembly does not act in the interests of Louis Our Highness? Please pardon me while I laugh like the hyenas of Asia. Of course it represents the interest of the King, because his rule depends on the gratification of his subjects. The National Assembly is giving voice to the Common Man, bringing felicity to his life, and assuaging his concerns. The King may slightly be ceding authority with the growing power of the National Assembly, but at this time the Assembly requires the consent of Our Monarch to adopt new laws.

It is also false that the Assembly does not act in the interest of the nation as a whole. The National Assembly is bringing republicanism to the people of France. It is true that the Assembly has not yet produced a document proclaiming the rights of all French citizens, but, believe me, it is trying. There will be a declaration of rights and it will pertain to the masses. The National Assembly will belong to the people.

Therefore, people of all sides should not worry. The National Assembly does not aim to overthrow the King, and it surely does not act as a marionette to Louis the Puppeteer. There is merit behind the rising potency of the National Assembly. It is just and will always act in the interests of the French people. If we just give the republican institution some time, we will certainly see results.

-des Gens

Op-Ed: On the Just Revolution and its Significance

As I write, I’m told the Parisian people are storming the fortress of Hell. I know not the extent to which lives will be lost in the name of liberty, but I am certain that the Bastille shall fall. It is the natural order of existence. The Will of the people triumphs the order of their unwanted government. Such has been the case in our time; such will forever remain the case.

This vigorous revolution is ubiquitous throughout the streets of France. The citizens are arming themselves and forming militias. People continue to distrust the Church, damaging its property and refusing to pay its taxes. We at the Parisian People’s Press welcome this revolution.

Insurgency is a proliferating plague that has rapidly infected the residents of this country. The epidemic has obliterated local tranquility in Paris. It has debauched human ethics. It has justified murder. Nevertheless, more and more citizens are voluntarily contaminating themselves with this sickness every day.

While being a plague, insurgency is simultaneously a remedy- the mutual remedy of all oppressed commoners of the Third Estate. It is the alleviation of the extreme national debt. It is the cure for the gabelle, the taille, the corvée, and other such wicked feudal taxations imposed by the current regime. Insurgency is the collapse of the decadent Catholic Church, with its reasonless “truths,” its meaningless tithes, and its bigoted absurdities. It is the treatment for every societal problem, from our overpriced bread to our outright starvation. But most importantly, rebellion is the euphoric remedy to that vicious disease known infamously to the world as Tyranny.

Revolution is the attenuation of the monarchial State, headed by despots who have been irrationally deemed “worthy” leaders on the faulty claim of divine right. It is the rise of the Republic- of the voice of the French People. It is our problems brought to the King, it is our problems heard by the King, and it is our problems solved by the King.

Your brethren Frenchmen capturing the Bastille right now are more than just rebels. They are your warriors, fighting for your Natural Rights. They are everything that is just in the world. They are doing what has to be done. They are the liberators of today, the heroes of tomorrow, and the martyrs of history.

Those valiant men know that at one time Louis XIV was the State. But they also realize that his successors are not. No longer does the State belong to one man. They know this, I know this, and you- my dearest reader- know this. We all know how to respond to people who ask to whom the State belongs now. In unison we promulgate to all supporters of the ancien régime “You are not the State. I am not the State. We are the State.”

Revolution will make this true. It will bestow

upon us our inalienable rights. It will end Tyranny. It will put us in charge. Let us hope that the plague of insurgency is contagious. Let us further hope that the remedy of insurgency cures all evil as it purifies France.

-du Tiers