Graham R (Ed.) - Anarchism - A Documentary History of Libertarian Ideas Volume One - From Anarchy to Anarchism (300 CE to 1939)

106/ ANARCHISM
gled out as one of the promoters of the Commune. It had absolutely nothing to do
with assassinations or burning. I attended all the sessions at the Hotel de Ville, and I
atlirm that there never was any talk of assassinations or burnings.
Do you want to know who the real guilty parties are The police. Later, perhaps,
the light of truth will fa ll on all those events. Now people naturally place responsibility
on the partisans of Social Revolution.
One day I did propose to Theophile Ferre that I go to Versailles. I wanted two
victims: M. Thiers [reactionary political leader) and myself, fo r I had already sacrificed
my life, and I had decided to kill him.
Question: Did you say in a proclamation that a hostage should be shot every
twenty-four hours
Answer: No, I only wanted to threaten. But why should I defend myself I have
already told you I refuse to do it. You are the men who are going to judge me. You are
in front of me publicly. You are men, and I, I am only a woman. Nevertheless, I am
looking you straight in the face. I know quite well that anything I tell you will not
change my sentence in the slightest. Thus 1 have only one last word before 1 sit down.
We never wanted anything but the triumph of the great principles of Revolution.
I swear it by our martyrs who fell on the field of Satory [where Ferre and many
others were shot), by our martyrs 1 still acclaim here, by our martyrs who some day
will find their avenger.
I am 111 your power. Do whatever you please with me. Take my life if you want it.
I am not a woman who would dispute your wishes fo r a moment ...
What I demand from you, you who claim you are a court-martial, you \'.'he pass
yourselves off as my judges, you who don't hide the way the Board of Pardons behaves,
you who are from the military and who judge me publicly-what I call for is
the field of Satory, where our revolutionary brothers have already fa llen.
I must be cut off from society. You have been told that, and the prosecutor is
right. Since it seems that any heart which beats for liberty has the right only to a
small lump oflead, I demand my share. If you let me live, I will not stop crying forvengeance,
and I will denounce the assassins on the Board of Pardons to the vengeance
of my brothers.
PRESIDENT OF THE COURT: I cannot allow you to continue speaking if you continue
in this tone.
LOUISE MICHEL: I have finished ...If you are not cowards, kill me.