Page "History of Freemasonry" Paragraph 64

During the 19th century, French Freemasonry became increasingly involved in politics.

According to Ernest Belfort Bax, Freemasons were responsible for the last serious attempt at conciliation between Versailles and the Paris Commune on 21 April 1870.

They were received coldly by Adolphe Thiers, who assured them that, though Paris was given over to destruction and slaughter, the law should be enforced, and he kept his word.

A few days after they decided, in a public meeting, to plant their banner on the ramparts and throw in their lot with the Commune.

On the 29th, accordingly, 10, 000 of the brethren met ( 55 lodges being represented ), and marched to the Hôtel de Ville, headed by the Grand Masters in full insignia and the banners of the lodges.

Amongst them the new banner of Vincennes was conspicuous, bearing the inscription in red letters on a white ground, “ Love one another .” A balloon was then sent up, which let fall at intervals, outside Paris, a manifesto of the Freemasons.

The procession then wended its way through the boulevards and the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe, where the banners were planted at various points along the ramparts.

On seeing the white flag on the Porte Maillot the Versaillese ceased firing, and the commander, himself a Freemason, received a deputation of brethren, and suggested a final appeal to Versailles, which was agreed to.

The “ chief of the executive ” hardly listened to the envoys, and declined to further discuss the question of peace with anyone.

This last formal challenge having been made and rejected, the Freemasons definitely took their stand as combatants for the Commune.