Note 53 — XLII.
Reading edition
The citizens, united under the denomination of the League of Republican Union of the Rights of Paris, had adopted the following programme, which seemed to them to express the wishes of the population:— “Recognition of the Republic. “Recognition of the rights of Paris to govern itself, to regulate its police, its finances, its public charities, its public instruction, and the exercise of its religious liberty by a council freely elected and all-powerful within the scope of its action. “The protection of Paris exclusively confided to the National Guard, formed of all citizens fit to serve. “It is to the defence of this programme that the members of the League wish to devote their efforts, and they appeal to all citizens to aid them in the work, by making known their adhesion, so that the members of the League, thereby strengthened and supported, may exercise a powerful mediatory influence, tending to bring about the return of peace, and to secure the maintenance of the Republic. “Paris, 6th April, 1871.” Here follow the signatures of former representatives, maires, doctors, lawyers, literary men, merchants, and others.