THE Journal des Debats of Tuesday gives the following report of the second Christmas Banquet of the " Socialist Female Democrats," at the Salle Valentino. About 800 guests assembled (the majority of the male sex,) including several women and children, and a large number of individuals attracted by curiosity, having no doubt responded to the appeal made by these ladies in the following terms :—" In spite of the odious and absurd diatribes fulminated against them by the reactionary journals, the Socialist Female Democrats continue their work of fraternal propaganda. With these objects in view they have organized a new banquet, which will take place on the 25th — the day of Christ's nativity. They especially invite thereto those who calumniate without knowing them. It is time that this festivity of Christmas, instituted in honour of the first Socialist—of the man who came into the world to preach the abolition of all privileges, and all forms of slavery—it is time that this festivity circumscribed for 2000 years within the narrow circle of the civilised family—should re-unite in the bonds of a holy communion, all who, like their Divine master, reap, as the reward of their ardent love of humanity, a harvest of contempt, derision, and abuse. It is time that the great human family should perform a prelude to the perfect festivities reserved for it by the future. Come, then, brothers ! and you still hesitating women, come, and once more invigorate your hearts, and reanimate your courage at these fraternal love feasts. Remember the words of our Father. ' Verily, verily, I say unto you, that those who shall assemble in my name, in order to feed on my words, shall find me in the midst of them.' "
It was announced, as usual, that the Montagnard deputies would attend, but it appears that MM. Pierre Leroux and Felix Pyar, were the only members of the National Assembly that honoured the banquet with their august presence. The price of the tickets of admission to this " holy sacrament," at which " bread and wine" were to be allowed unsparingly and ad libitum, and many other dainties besides, not to be enjoyed at the altar, was fixed at 1f. 50c. per head for adults, and at 50c. for children.
After the " holy supper" had been discussed and the cloth removed, the public was admitted on payment of 25c. a head, to witness the subsequent ceremonies. A large number availed themselves of the privilege, and the galleries were soon crowded to suffocation. The first religious speech was delivered by a lady, and was entitled " The Sermon on the Mount." Owing to her low tone of voice, however, and the noise caused by the ingress of spectators, we could only catch a few phrases of this eloquent "discours," in which Jesus Christ was exhibited as the apostle of Socialism. Toasts were afterwards proposed to " Universal Fraternity," to "The Advent of God's reign on earth," and to " Liberty,"—all proposed by ladies.
M. Pierre Leroux responded to the last toast. " I am utterly confounded," he observed, "that after all the admirable ideas I have heard enunciated, I can only utter a few commonplaces. Allusion has been made to those wretches who pursue with sarcasm and ridicule all that is noble, good, and great. Leave them alone, for they are unworthy of our notice. Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, did not create castes. We, the Socialists, lift up the veil with which the priests wished for ever to conceal the altars of truth."
Madame Grauet then rose, and proposed a toast "To Christmas !" "If, ladies," remarked this eloquent lady, "if we wish to transform society, let us select the Virgin Mary as our model—whose name be ever blessed among women. Let us prove that this assemblage of women is a holy one, and that the Socialists, far from, desiring to abolish the family, are animated by a profound love, which only tends to protect it. Christmas to St. Simon and to Fourier ! Christmas to all nations, be they united amongst themselves ! Christmas to all suffering exiles ! To Fraternity, then ; it will place God on our side."
M. Herve, after having made an apology for St. Just, proposed a toast to his memory, adding the names of Couthon and Robespierre. Toasts were afterwards drunk as follows :— "The women;" "Our mothers and our children;" "France, the living Christ," (by M, Bernard, who sought to prove that there was a complete resemblance between Jesus Christ and the people of France) ; " Mary, the first propagatrix of Socialism;" "The Martyr of Vienna" (by a lady); "Equality;" "The realization of universal happiness on earth ;" "Religion ;" "The independence of thought," &c. Apologues and poems were then recited, seasoned with several sacred patriotic songs.
Another banquet took place the same evening at the Barriere de Sevres, presided over by the Abbé Chatel. Several "disciples and adepts" of the French Church were present, and toasts were drunk to " Jesus Christ, the great apostle of Socialism," with great zeal and gusto. The banquet terminated with the chanting of the psalms and hymns used in the churches of France.
smh 15/5/1849 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12912814
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