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"France and Peace" Committee. A little while before the speakers were
expected on the platform, the gas, which had been wavering somewhat
uncertainly for a few minutes, suddenly went out, leaving the hall in
complete darkness. As may be imagined, there was great dismay, and with
it all the dangers of a panic. A gentleman who acted as steward at the
meeting tells me that the light was hardly out before Mr Bradlaugh's
voice was heard crying, "Lead me to the front; lead me to the front!"
This he and another friend succeeded in doing. Once at the front of
the platform, he says that my father began to speak, and the audience,
recognising his voice, gave a ringing cheer. He told the people
that the gas would be relighted as soon as possible, and entreated
the people to keep their seats. "He kept speaking for about fifteen
minutes, when the gas was re-lit, and all danger past. The thought of
what would have happened had not Mr Bradlaugh been there gives one an
uncomfortable sensation. A panic under such circumstances would have
been terrible, but the way the people responded to the desire of Mr
Bradlaugh to keep their seats, and to keep quiet until all was put
right, was extraordinary." Not less extraordinary was the explanation
suggested by the _Observer_. Said the veracious chronicler of this
high-class Sunday paper: "This _contretemps_ created a good deal of
speculation, and the general opinion was that the Committee and the
proprietors had been unable to come to terms, and that the latter, in
order to secure their money, turned out the gas." From this it would
seem that to jeopardise the lives of thousands of people[141] (without
counting certain damage to the building) would have been a mere trifle
to the proprietors compared with the possible loss of a few pounds. It
must have been quite a shock to the originators of so diabolical an
idea to learn that the accident was an accident pure and simple, and
due to a matter so ordinary and commonplace as a defect in the water
meter which supplied the gas to the hall.
[Footnote 141: The _Observer's_ own report stated: "At first there
seemed to be an inclination to rush to the doors, which might have led
to great sacrifice of life."]
The St James's Hall meeting was immediately followed by forty-eight
others, and in every case the size of the meeting was restricted
only by the capacity of the building in which it was held. It may be
asked, but what was the outcome of all these meetings, what was their
practical value? In 1873 Mr Bradlaugh gave the answer to this in the
pages of his _Autobiography_. "They exercised," he said, "some little
effect on the public opinion of this country, but unfortunately the
collapse on the part of France was so complete, and the resources
commanded by Bismarck and Moltke so vast, that, except as expressing
sympathy, the results were barren."
Sympathy, however, is often very welcome; his efforts to help the cause
of Peace were warmly received in France, and without any previous
communication having passed between them, the Republican Government at
Tours sent him the following letter:--
"RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE.--LIBERTÉ, EGALITÉ, FRATERNITÉ.
"Gouvernement de la Défense Nationale.
"TOURS, _le 21 Octobre 1870_.
"MONSIEUR,--Les Membres du Gouvernement de la Défense
Nationale, réunis en délégation à Tours, après avoir pris connaissance
du magnifique discours que vous avez prononcé au meeting d'Edimbourg,
tiennent à honneur de vous remercier chalereusement du noble concours
que vous apportez à la cause de la France et de l'Europe dans votre
pays.
"Vous ne ménagez, Monsieur, ni vos efforts, ni votre temps, pour
éclairer l'opinion publique depuis longtemps si puissante dans le
Royaume-Uni. Nous nous plaisons à croire que tant de dêvouement
finira par convaincre l'Europe, sur laquelle l'opinion Brittanique
exerce une si legitime influence, que la France lutte aujourd'hui
pour la plus juste des causes, la defense de son honneur et de son
territoire.
"Nous ne saurions trop le redire: la guerre actuelle a été entreprise
contre la volonté de la nation française: la Prusse en la continuant
combat sans droit et pour la seule satisfaction d'une ambition dont
l'Europe ne tardera pas à sentir les ruineux effets.
"Remerciez en notre nom, ceux de vos généreux compatriotes qui vous
écoutent et vous acclament dans ces magnifiques réunions publiques que
nous leur envions, où se débattent les plus grands intérêts du monde.
"L'accueil qui vous est fait partout, nous est un sûr garant des
sympathies du peuple Anglais pour la France et ses institutions
nouvelles.
"Nous ne faisons aucun doute que de cette incessante propagande à
laquelle vous vous êtes devoué, ne sortent bientôt la lumière qui doit
dessiller tous les yeux et le triomphe prochain de la justice et de la
civilisation.
"Veuillez agréer, Monsieur, l'expression de notre très haute
considération.
"Les Membres de la délégation du Gouvernement de la Défense Nationale,
réunis a Tours:
LEON GAMBETTA.
L. FOURNICHON.
AD. CRÉMIEUX.
AL. GLAIS BIZOIN."[142]
[Footnote 142:
"THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.--LIBERTY, EQUALITY, FRATERNITY.
"Government of National Defence.
"TOURS, _21st October 1870_.
"SIR,--The Members of the Government of National Defence,
assembled in delegation at Tours, after having become acquainted
with the magnificent speech which you delivered at the meeting at
Edinburgh, have the honour to thank you most warmly for the noble help
which you bring to the cause of France and of Europe in your country.
"You do not spare, Sir, either your efforts or your time in the
attempt to enlighten public opinion--for so long all-powerful in the
United Kingdom. We take pleasure in believing that so much devotion
will end by convincing Europe, upon which British opinion exercises so
legitimate an influence, that France fights to-day for the most just
of all causes--the defence of her honour and of her territory.
"We cannot too often repeat it: the war itself was undertaken against
the will of the French nation; Prussia, in continuing it, fights
without justice, and solely for the satisfaction of an ambition of
which Europe will not be slow to feel the ruinous effects.
"Thank, in our names, those of your generous compatriots who listen to
you, and who applaud you in these magnificent public assemblies--which
we envy them--where the greatest interests of the world are debated.
"The welcome which meets you everywhere is to us a sure guarantee
of the sympathies of the English people for France and her new
institutions.
"We have no doubt that from this incessant propaganda, to which you
have devoted yourself, will soon come the light which should undeceive
all eyes, as well as the triumph of justice and civilisation.
"Kindly receive, Sir, the expression of our highest consideration.
"Members of the delegation of the Government of National Defence,
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