II。
SpontaneousassociationsafterJuly14，1789。——Howthesedissolve。
—Withdrawalofpeopleofsenseandoccupation。——Numberofthoseabsentatelections。——BirthandmultiplicationofJacobinsocieties。
——Theirinfluenceovertheiradherents——Theirmaneuversanddespotism。
Menthusdisposedcannotfailtodrawneareachother，tounderstandeachother，andcombinetogether；for，intheprincipleofpopularsovereignty，theyhaveacommondogma，and，intheconquestofpoliticalsupremacy，acommonaim。Throughacommonaimtheyformafaction，andthroughacommondogmatheyconstituteasect，theleaguebetweenthembeingmoreeasilyeffectedbecausetheyareafactionandsectatthesametime。
Atfirsttheirassociationisnotdistinguishableinthemultitudeofotherassociations。PoliticalsocietiesspringuponallsidesafterthetakingoftheBastille。Somekindoforganizationhadtobesubstitutedforthedeposedortotteringgovernment，inordertoprovideforurgentpublicneeds，tosecureprotectionagainstruffians，toobtainsuppliesofprovisions，andtoguardagainsttheprobablymachinationsofthecourt。Committeesinstalledthemselvesinthetownhalls，whilevolunteersformedbodiesofmilitia:hundredsoflocalgovernments，almostindependent，aroseintheplaceofthecentralgovernment，almostdestroyed。[5]Forsixmonthseverybodyattendedtomattersofcommoninterest，eachindividualgettingtobeapublicpersonageandbearinghisquotaofthegovernmentload:aheavyloadatalltimes，butheavierintimesofanarchy；this，atleast，istheopinionofthemajoritybutnotofallofthem。
Consequently，adivisionarisesamongstthosewhohadassumedthisload，andtwogroupsareformed，onehuge，inertanddisintegrating，andtheothersmall，compactandenergetic，eachtakingoneoftwowayswhichdivergefromeachother，andwhichkeepondivergingmoreandmore。
Ononehandaretheordinary，sensiblepeople，thosewhoarebusy，andwhoare，tosomeextent，notover—conscientious，andnotover—
conceited。Thepowerisintheirhandsbecausetheyfinditprostrate，lyingabandonedinthestreet；theyholditprovisionallyonly，fortheyknewbeforehand，orsoondiscover，thattheyarenotqualifiedforthepost，itbeingoneofthosewhich，tobeproperlyfilled，needssomepreparationandfitnessforit。Amandoesnotbecomelegislatororadministratorinoneday，anymorethanhesuddenlybecomesaphysicianorsurgeon。Ifanaccidentobligesmetoactinthelattercapacity，Iyield，butagainstmywill，andIdonomorethanisnecessarytosavemypatientsfromhurtingthemselves，Myfearoftheirdyingundertheoperationisverygreat，and，assoonassomeotherpersoncanbefoundtotakemyplace，Igohome。[6]——Ishouldbeglad，likeeverybodyelse，tohavemyvoteintheselectionofthisperson，and，amongthecandidates。Ishoulddesignate，tothebestofmyability，onewhoseemedtometheablestandmostconscientious。
Onceselected，however，andinstalled，Ishouldnotattempttodictatetohim；hiscabinetisprivate，andIhavenorighttorunthereconstantlyandcross—questionhim，asifhewereachildorundersuspicion。Itdoesnotbecomemetotellhimwhattodo；heprobablyknowsmoreaboutthecasethanIdo；inanyevent，tokeepasteadyhand，hemustnotbethreatened，and，tokeepaclearhead，hemustnotbedisturbed。NormustIbedisturbed；myofficeandbooks，myshop，mycustomersmustbeattendedtoaswell。Everybodyhastomindhisownbusiness，andwhoeverwouldattendtohisownandanother’stoo，spoilsboth。——Thiswayofthinkingprevailswithmosthealthymindstowardsthebeginningoftheyear1790，allwhoseheadsarenotturnedbyinsaneambitionandthemaniafortheorizing，especiallyaftersixmonthsofpracticalexperienceandknowingthedangers，miscalculation，andvexationstowhichoneisexposedintryingtoleadaneager，over—excitedpopulation。——Justatthistime，December1789，municipallawbecomesestablishedthroughoutthecountry；allthemayorsandmunicipalofficersareelectedalmostimmediately，andinthefollowingmonths，alladministratorsofdistrictsanddepartments。Theinterregnumhasalengthcometoanend。Legalauthoritiesnowexist，withlegitimateandclearly—determinedfunctions。Reasonable，honestpeoplegladlyturnpowerovertothosetowhomitbelongs，andcertainlydonotdreamofresumingit。Allassociationsfortemporarypurposesareatoncedisbandedforlackofanobject，andifothersareformed，itisforthepurposeofdefendingestablishedinstitutions。ThisistheobjectoftheFederation，and，forsixmonths，peopleembraceeachotherandexchangeoathsoffidelity。——Afterthis，July14，1790，theyretireintoprivatelife，andIhavenodoubtthat，fromthisdate，thepoliticalambitionofalargepluralityoftheFrenchpeopleissatisfied，for，althoughRousseau’sdenunciationofthesocialhierarchyarestillcitedbythem，they，atbottom，desirebutlittlemorethanthesuppressionofadministrativebrutalityandstatefavoritism。[7]Allthisisobtained，andplentyofotherthingsbesides；theaugusttitleofsovereign，therespectofthepublicauthorities，honorstoallwhowieldapenormakeaspeech，and，betterstill，actualsovereigntyintheappointmenttoofficeofalllocallandnationaladministrators；notonlydothepeopleelecttheirdeputies，buteveryspeciesoffunctionaryofeverydegree，thoseofcommune，district，anddepartment，officersinthenationalguard，civilandcriminalmagistrates，bishopsandpriests。Again，toensuretheresponsibilityoftheelectedtotheirelectors，thetermofofficefixedbylawisashortone，[8]theelectoralmachinewhichsummonsthesovereigntoexercisehissovereigntybeingsetagoingabouteveryfourmonths。——Thiswasagooddeal，andtoomuch，asthesovereignhimselfsoondiscovers。Votingsofrequentlybecomesunendurable；somanyprerogativesendingettingtobedrudgery。Earlyin1790，andafterthisdate，themajorityforegotheprivilegeofvotingandthenumberofabsenteesbecomesenormous。AtChartres，inMay，1790，[9]1，447outof1，551votersdonotattendpreliminarymeetings。AtBesan？on，inJanuary，1790，ontheelectionofmayorandmunicipalofficers，2，141outof3，200registeredelectorsarerecordedasabsentfromthepolls，and2，900inthefollowingmonthofNovember。[10]AtGrenoble，inAugustandNovemberofthisyear，outof2，500registeredvoters，morethan2，000arenotedasabsent。[11]
AtLimoges，outofaboutthesamenumber，thereareonly150voters。
AtParis，outof81，400electors，inAugust，1790，67，200donotvote，and，threemonthslater，thenumberofabsenteesis71，408。[12]
Thusforeveryelectorthatvotes，therearefour，six，eight，ten，andevensixteenthatabstainfromvoting。——Intheelectionofdeputies，thecaseisthesame。Attheprimarymeetingsof1791，inParis，outof81，200registerednamesmorethan74，000failtorespond。IntheDoubs，threeoutoffourvotersstayaway。InoneofthecantonsoftheC？ted’Or，atthecloseofthepolls，onlyone—
eighthoftheelectorsremainatthecountingofthevotes，whileinthesecondarymeetingsthedesertionisnotless。AtParis，outof946electorschosenonly200arefoundtogivetheirsuffrage；atRouen，outof700therearebut160，andonthelastdayoftheballot，only60。Inshort，"inalldepartments，"saysanoratorinthetribune，"scarcelyoneoutoffiveelectorsoftheseconddegreedischargeshisduty。"
Inthismannerthemajorityhandsinitsresignation。Throughinertia，wantofforethought，lassitude，aversiontotheelectoralhubbub，lackofpoliticalpreferences，ordislikeofallthepoliticalcandidates，itshirksthetaskwhichtheconstitutionimposesonit。Mostcertainlyishasnotasteforthepainstakingburdenofbeinginvolvedinaleague（ofhumanrights）。Menwhocannotfindtimeonceinthreemonthstodropaballotinthebox，willnotcomethreetimesaweektoattendthemeetingsofaclub。Farfrommeddlingwiththegovernment，theyabdicate，andastheyrefusetoelectit，theycannotundertaketocontrolit。
Itis，ontheotherhand，justtheoppositewiththeupstartsanddogmatistswhoregardtheirroyalprivilegesseriously。Theynotonlyvoteattheelections，buttheymeantokeeptheauthoritytheydelegateintheirownhands。Intheireyeseveryofficialisoneoftheircreatures，andremainsaccountabletothem，for，inpointoflaw，thepeoplemaynotpartwiththeirsovereignty，while，infact，powerhasprovedsosweetthattheyarenotdisposedtopartwithit。[13]Duringsixmonthsprecedingtheregularelections，theyhavecometoknow，comprehend，andtesteachother；theyhaveheldsecretmeetings；amutualunderstandingisarrivedat，andhenceforth，asotherassociationsdisappearlikefleetingbloom，theirs[14]risevigorouslyontheabandonedsoil。AclubisestablishedatMarseillesbeforetheendof1789；eachlargetownhasonewithinthefirstsixmonthsof1790，AixinFebruary，MontpellierinMarch，N？mesinApril，LyonsinMay，andBordeauxinJune。[15]ButtheirgreatestincreasetakesplaceaftertheFederationfestival。Justwhenlocalgatheringsmergeintothatofthewholecountry，thesectarianJacobinskeepaloof，andformleaguesoftheirown。AtRouen，July14，1790，twosurgeons，aprinter，achaplainattheprison，awidowedJewess，andfourwomenorchildrenlivinginthehouse，—eightpersonsinall，pureandnottobeconfoundedwiththemass，[16]bindthemselvestogether，andformadistinctassociation。Theirpatriotismisofsuperiorquality，andtheytakeaspecialviewofthesocialcompact；[17]inswearingfealtytotheconstitutiontheyreservetothemselvestheRightsofMan，andtheymeantomaintainnotonlythereformsalreadyeffected，buttocompletetheRevolutionjustbegun。—
DuringtheFederationtheyhavewelcomedandindoctrinatedtheirfellowswho，onquittingthecapitalorlargecities，becomebearersofinstructionstothesmalltownsandhamlets；theyaretoldwhattheobjectofaclubis，andhowtoformone，and，everywhere，popularassociationsariseonthesameplan，forthesamepurpose，andbearingthesamename。Amonthlater，sixtyoftheseassociationsareinoperation；threemonthslater，onehundred；inMarch，1791，twohundredandtwenty—nine，andinAugust，1791，nearlyfourhundred。[18]
Afterthisdateasuddenincreasetakesplace，owingtotwosimultaneousimpulses，whichscattertheirseedsovertheentireterritory。——Ontheonehand，atthenendofJuly，1791，allmoderatemen，thefriendsoflawandorder，whostillholdtheclubsincheck，allconstitutionalists，orFeuillants，withdrawfromthemandleavethemtoexaggerationorthetrivialityofproposingmotions；thepoliticaltoneimmediatelyfallstothatofthetavernandguard—
house，sothatwhereveroneortheotherisfound，thereisapoliticalclub。Ontheotherhand，aconvocationoftheelectoralbodyisheldatthesamedatefortheelectionofanewNationalAssembly，andfortherenewaloflocalgovernments；thepreybeinginsight，hunting—partiesareeverywhereformedtocaptureit。Intwomonths，[19]sixhundrednewclubsspringup；bytheendofSeptembertheyamounttoonethousand，andinJune，1792，totwelvehundred——
asmanyastherearetownsandwalledboroughs。Onthefallofthethrone，andatthepaniccausedbythePrussianinvasion，duringaperiodofanarchywhichequaledthatofJuly，1789，therewere，accordingtoRoederer，almostasmanyclubsastherewerecommunes，26，000，oneforeveryvillagecontainingfiveorsixhot—headed，boisterousfellows，orroughs，（tape—durs），withaclerkabletopenapetition。
AfterNovember，1790，[20]"everystreetineverytownandhamlet，"
saysaJournaloflargecirculation，"musthaveaclubofitsown。Letsomehonestcraftsmaninvitehisneighborstohishouse，where，withusingasharedcandle，hemayreadaloudthedecreesoftheNationalAssembly，onwhichheandhisneighborsmaycomment。Beforethemeetingcloses，inordertoenliventhecompany，whichmayfeelalittledisturbedonaccountofMarat’sarticles，lethimreadthepatrioticoathsin’PêreDuchesne。’"[21]——Theadviceisfollowed。Atthemeetingsintheclubarereadaloudpamphlets，newspapers，andcatechismsdispatchedfromParis，the"GazetteVillageoise，"the"JournalduSoir，"the"JournaldelaMontagne，""PêreDuchesne，"the"RévolutionsdeParis，"and"Laclos’Gazette。"Revolutionarysongsaresung，and，ifagoodspeakerhappenstobepresent，aformermonk（oratorien），lawyer，orschool—master，hepoursouthisstockofphrases，speakingoftheGreeksandRomans，proclaimingtheregenerationofthehumanspecies。Oneofthem，appealingtothewomen，wantstosee"thedeclarationoftheRightsofMansuspendedonthewallsoftheirbedroomsastheirprincipalornament，and，shouldwarbreakout，thesevirtuoussupporters，marchingattheheadofourarmieslikenewbacchanteswithflowinghair，thewandofBacchusintheirhand。"
Shoutsofapplausegreetthissentiment。Themindsofthelisteners，sweptawaybythisgaleofdeclamation，becomeoverheatedandignitethroughmutualcontact；likehalf—consumedembersthatwoulddieoutifletalone，theykindleintoablazewhengatheredtogetherinaheap。——Theirconvictions，atthesametime，gainstrength。Thereisnothinglikeacoterietomakethesetakeroot。Inpolitics，asinreligion，faithgeneratingthechurch，thelatter，initsturn，nourishesfaith。Intheclub，asintheprivatereligiousmeeting，eachderivesauthorityfromthecommonunanimity，everywordandactionofthewholetendingtoproveeachintheright。Andallthemorebecauseadogmawhichremainsuncontested，endsinseemingincontestable；astheJacobinlivesinanarrowcircle，carefullyguarded，nocontraryopinionsfindtheirwaytohim。Thepublic，inhiseyes，seemstwohundredpersons；theiropinionweighsonhimwithoutanycounterpoise，and，outsideoftheirbelief，whichishisalso，everyotherbeliefisabsurdandevenculpable。Moreover，hediscoversthroughthisconstantsystemofpreaching，whichisnothingbutflattery，thatheispatriotic，intelligent，virtuous，ofwhichhecanhavenodoubt，because，beforebeingadmittedintotheclub，hiscivicvirtueshavebeenverifiedandhecarriesaprintedcertificateoftheminhispocket。——Accordingly，heisoneofanélitecorps，acorpswhich，enjoyingamonopolyofpatriotism，holdsitselfaloof，talksloud，andisdistinguishedfromordinarycitizensbyitstoneandwayofconductingthings。TheclubofPontarlier，[22]fromthefirst，prohibitsitsmembersfromusingthecommonformsofpoliteness。
"Membersaretoabstainfromsalutingtheirfellow—citizensbyremovingthehat，andaretoavoidthephrase，’Ihavethehonortobe，’andothersoflikeimport，inaddressingpersons。"
Aproperideaofone’simportanceisindispensable。
"DoesnotthefamoustribuneoftheJacobinsinParisinspiretraitorsandimpostorswithfear？Anddonotanti—Revolutionariesreturntodustonbeholdingit？"
Allthisistrue，intheprovincesaswellasatthecapital，for，scarcelyisacluborganizedbeforeitsetstoworkonthepopulation。
Inmayofthelargecities，inParis，Lyons，AixandBordeaux，therearetwoclubsinpartnership，[23]one，moreorlessrespectableandparliamentary，"composedpartlyofthemembersofthedifferentbranchesoftheadministrationandspeciallydevotedtopurposesofgeneralutility，"andtheother，practicalandactive，madeupofbar—
roompoliticiansandclub—haranguers，whoindoctrinateworkmen，market—gardenersandtherestofthelowerbourgeoisclass。Thelatterisabranchoftheformer，and，inurgentcases，suppliesitwithrioters。
"Weareplacedamongstthepeople，"saysoneofthesesubalternclubs，"wereadtothemthedecrees，and，throughlecturesandcounsel，wewarnthemagainstthepublicationsandintriguesofthearistocrats。Weferretoutandtrackplottersandtheirmachinations。
Wewelcomeandadviseallcomplainants；weenforcetheirdemands，whenjust；finally，we，insomeway，attendtoalldetails。"
Thankstothesevulgarauxiliaries，butwhoselungsandarmsarestrong，thepartysoonbecomesdominant；ithasforceandusesit，and，denyingthatitsadversarieshaveanyrights，itre—establishesalltheprivilegesforitsownadvantage。[24]
III。
Howtheyviewthelibertyofthepress。—Theirpoliticaldoings。
Letusconsideritsmodeofprocedureinoneinstanceanduponalimitedfield，thefreedomofthepress。[25]InDecember，1790，M。
Etienne，anengineer，whomMaratandFréronhaddenouncedasaspyintheirperiodicals，broughtasuitagainsttheminthepolicecourt。
Thenumberscontainingthelibelwereseized，theprinterssummonedtoappear，andM。Etienneclaimedapublicretractionor25，000francsdamageswithcosts。Atthisthetwojournalists，consideringthemselvesinfallibleaswellasexemptfromarrest，areindignant。
"Itisoftheutmostimportance，"writesMarat，"thattheinformershouldnotbeliabletoprosecutionasheisaccountableonlytothepublicforwhathesaysanddoesforthepublicgood。"
M。Etienne（surnamedLanguedoc），therefore，isatraitor:"MonsieurLanguedoc，Iadviseyoutokeepyourmouthshut；ifIcanhaveyouhungIwill。"M。Etienne，nevertheless，persistsandobtainsafirstdecisioninhisfavor。FireandflameareatoncebelchedforthbyMaratandFréon:
"MasterThorillon，"exclaimsFrérontothecommissaryofpolice，"youshallbepunishedandhelduptothepeopleasanexample；thisinfamousdecisionmustbecanceled。"——"Citizens，"writesMarat，"goinabodytotheH？tel—de—Villeanddonotallowoneoftheguardstoenterthecourt—room。"——Onthedayofthetrial，andinthemostcondescendingspirit，buttwogrenadiersareletin。Eventhese，however，aretoomanyandshoutsfromtheJacobincrowdarise"Turn’emout！Werulehere，"uponwhichthetwogrenadierswithdraw。Ontheotherhand，saysFrérontriumphantly，thattherewereinthecourt—
room"sixtyofthevictorsattheBastilleledbythebraveSanterre，whointendedtointerfereinthetrial。"—Theyintervene，indeed，andfirstagainsttheplaintiff。M。Etienneisattackedattheentranceofthecourt—roomandnearlyknockeddownHeissomaltreatedthatheisobligedtoseekshelterintheguard—room。Heisspitupon，andthey"movetocutoffhisears。"Hisfriendsreceive"hundredsofkicks，"whileherunsaway，andthecaseispostponed。——Itiscalledupagainseveraltimes，sonothejudgeshavetoberestrained。
AcertainMandartintheaudience，authorofapamphleton"PopularSovereignty，"springstohisfeetand，addressingBailly，mayorofParis，andpresidentofthetribunal，challengesthecourt。AsusualBaillyyields，attemptingtocoveruphisweaknesswithanhonorablepretext:"Althoughajudgecanbechallengedonlybythepartiestoasuit，theappealofonecitizenissufficientformeandIleavethebench。"Theotherjudges，whoarelikewiseinsultedandmenaced，yieldalso，and，throughasophismwhichadmirablyillustratesthetimes，theydiscoverintheoppressiontowhichtheplaintiffissubjectalegaldevicebywhichtheycangiveafaircolortotheirdenialofjustice。M。Etiennehavingsignifiedtothemthatneitherhenorhiscounselcouldattendincourt，becausetheirliveswereindanger，thecourtdecidesthatM。Etienne，"failingtoappearinperson，orbycounsel，isnon—suited。"——Victoriousshoutsatonceproceedfromthetwojournalists，whiletheirarticlesonthecasedisseminatedthroughoutFrancesetaprecedencecontainedinthe。ruling。AnyJacobinmayafterthiswithimpunitydenounce，insult，andcalumniatewhomsoeverhepleases，shelteredasheisfromtheactionofcourts，andheldsuperiortothelaw。
Letussee，ontheotherhand，whatlibertytheyallowtheiradversaries。Afortnightbeforethis，MalletduPan，awriterofgreatability，who，inthebestperiodicaloftheday，discussesquestionsweekafterweekfreeofallpersonalities，themostindependent，straight—forward，andhonorableofmen，themosteloquentandjudiciousadvocateofpublicorderandtrueliberty，iswaiteduponbyadeputationfromthePalais—Royal，[26]consistingofaboutadozenwell—dressedindividuals，civilenoughandnottooill—disposed，butquitesatisfiedthattheyhavearighttointerfere。Theconversationwhichensuesshowstowhatextentthecurrentpoliticalcreedhadturnedpeoples’heads。
"Oneoftheparty，addressingme，informedmethatheandhisassociatesweredeputiesofthePalais—Royalclubs，andthattheyhadcalledtonotifymethatIwoulddowelltochangemyprinciplesandstopattackingtheconstitution，otherwiseextremeviolencewouldbebroughttobearonme。IrepliedthatIrecognizednoauthoritybutthelawandthatofthecourts；thelawisyourmasterandmine，andnorespectisshowntotheconstitutionbyassailingthefreedomofthepress。"
"Theconstitutionisthecommonwill，resumedthespokesman。Thelaw，istheauthorityofthestrongest。Youaresubjecttothestrongestandyououghttosubmit。Wenotifyyouofthewillofthenationandthatisthelaw。’"
MalletduPanstatedtothemthathewasnotinfavoroftheancientrégime，butthathedidapproveofroyalauthority。
"Oh！"exclaimedalltogether，"weshouldbesorrynottohaveaking。
WerespecttheKingandmaintainhisauthority。ButyouareforbiddentoopposethedominantopinionandthelibertywhichisdecreedbytheNationalAssembly。"
MalletduPan，apparently，knowsmoreaboutthisthantheydo，forheisaSwissbybirth，andhaslivedunderarepublicfortwentyyears。
Butthisdoesnotconcernthem。Theypersistallthesame，fiveorsixtalkingatonce，misconstruingthesensethewordstheyuse，andeachcontradictingtheotherinpointofdetail，butallagreeingtoimposesilenceonhim:
"Youshouldnotruncountertothepopularwill，forindoingthisyoupreachcivilwar，bringtheassembly’sdecreesintocontempt，andirritatethenation。"
Evidently，forthem，theyconstitutethenation，or，moreorless，theyrepresentit。Throughthisself—investituretheyareatoncemagistrates，censors，andpolice，whilethescoldedjournalistisonlytooglad，inhiscase，tohavethemstopatinjunctions。——Threedaysbeforethisheisadvisedthatabodyofriotersinhisneighborhood"threatenedtotreathishouselikethatofM。deCastries，"inwhicheverythinghadbeensmashedandthrownoutthewindows。Atanothertime，aproposofthesuspensiveorabsoluteveto；"foursavagefellowscametohisdomiciletowarnhim，showinghimtheirpistols，thatifhedaredwriteinbehalfofM。Mounierheshouldanswerforitwithhislife。"Thus，fromtheoutset，"justasthenationbeginstoenjoytheinestimablerightoffreethoughtandfreespeech，factionaltyrantslosenotimeindeprivingcitizensofthese，proclaimingtoallthatwouldmaintaintheintegrityoftheirconsciences:Tremble，die，orbelieveaswedo！"
Afterthis，toimposesilenceonthosewhoexpresswhatisoffensive，thecrowd，theclub，thesection，decreeandexecute，eachonitsownauthority，[27]searches，arrests，assaults，and，atlength，assassinations。DuringthemonthofJune，1792，"threedecreesofarrestandfifteendenunciations，twoactsofaffixingseals，fourcivicinvasionsofhispremises，andtheconfiscationofwhateverbelongedtohiminFrance"istheexperienceofMalletduPan。Hepassesfouryears"withoutknowingwithanycertaintyongoingtobedwhetherheshouldgetoutofitinthemorningaliveandfree。"Lateron，ifheescapestheguillotineandthelantern，itisowingtoexile。Onthe10thofAugust，Suleau，aconservativejournalist，ismassacredinthestreet。——Thisshowshowthepartyregardsthefreedomofthepress。Otherlibertiesmaybejudgedofbyitsencroachmentsonthisdomain。Law，initseyes，isnullwhenitprovesanobstacle，andwhenitaffordsprotectiontoadversaries；
consequentlythereisnoexcesswhichitdoesnotsanctionforitself；
andnorightwhichitdoesnotrefusetoothers。
Thereisnoescapefromthetyrannyoftheclubs。"ThatofMarseilleshasforcedthecityofficialstoresign；[28]ithassummonedthemunicipalbodytoappearbeforeit；ithasignoredtheauthorityofthedepartment，andhasinsultedtheadministratorsofthelaw。
MembersoftheOrleansclubhavekeptthenationalSupremeCourtundersupervision，andtakenpartinitsproceedings。ThoseoftheCaenclubhaveinsultedthemagistrates，andseizedandburnttherecordsoftheproceedingscommencedagainstthedestroyersofthestatueofLouisXIV。AtAlbytheyhaveforciblyabstractedfromtherecord—officethepapersrelatingtoanassassin’strial，andburntthem。"TheclubatCoutancegivesthedeputiesofitsdistricttounderstandthat"noreflectionsmustbecastonthelawsofthepeople。"ThatofLyonsstopsanartillerytrain，underthepretextthattheministryinofficedoesnotenjoythenation’sconfidence。——Thusdoestheclubeverywheregovern，orpreparetogovern。Ontheonehand，attheelections，itsetsasideorsupportscandidates；italonevotes，or，atleast，controlsthevoting。Inshort，theclubistheelectivepower，andpractically，ifnotlegally，enjoystheprivilegesofapoliticalaristocracy。Ontheotherhand，itassumestobeaspontaneouspolice—board；itpreparesandcirculatesthelistswhichdesignatetheill—disposed，suspected，andlukewarm；itlodgesinformationagainstnobleswhosesonshaveemigrated；againstunswornpriestswhostillresideintheirformerparishes，andagainstnuns，"whoseconductisunconstitutional"。Itprompts，directs，andrebukeslocalauthorities；itisitselfasupplemental，superior，andusurpingauthority。——Allatonce，sensiblemenrealizeitscharacter，andprotestagainstit。
"Abodythusorganized，"saysapetition，[29]"existssolelyforarmingonecitizenagainstanother……Discussionstakeplacethere，anddenunciationsaremadeunderthesealofinviolablesecrecy……Honestcitizens，surrenderedtothemostatrociouscalumny，aredestroyedwithoutanopportunityofdefendingthemselves。
ItisaveritableInquisition。Itisthecenterofseditiouspublications，aschoolofcabalsandintrigue。Ifthecitizenshavetoblushattheselectionofunworthycandidates，theyareallduetothisclassofassociations……Composedoftheexcitedandtheincendiary，ofthosewhoaimtoruletheState，"theclubeverywheretends"toamasteryofthepopularopinion，tothwartingthemunicipalities，toanintrusionofitselfbetweentheseandthepeople，"toanusurpationoflegalformsandtobecomea"colossusofdespotism。"
Vaincomplaints！TheNationalAssembly，everinalarmonitsownaccount，shieldsthepopularclubandaccordsititsfavororindulgence。Ajournalofthepartyhadrecommended"thepeopletoformthemselvesintosmallplatoons。"Theseplatoons，onebyone，aregrowing。Eachboroughnowhasalocaloligarchy，anenlistedandgoverningband。Tocreateanarmyoutofthesescatteredbands，simplyrequiresastaffandacentralrallying—point。ThecentralpointandthestaffhavebothforalongtimebeenreadyinParis，itistheassociationofthe"FriendsoftheConstitution。"
IV。
Theirrallying—points。——OriginandcompositionoftheParisJacobinclub。——Itaffiliateswithprovincialclubs。——Itsleaders。——
Thefanatics。——TheIntriguers。——Theirobject。——Theirmeans。
NoassociationinFrance，indeed，datesfartherback，andhasanequalprestige。ItwasbornbeforetheRevolution，April30，1789。[30]AttheassemblyoftheStates—GeneralinBrittany，thedeputiesfromQuimper，Hennebon，andPontivysawhowimportantitwastovoteinconcert，andtheyhadscarcelyreachedVersailleswhen，incommonwithothers，theyhiredahall，and，alongwithMounier，secretaryoftheStates—GeneralofDauphiny，andotherdeputiesfromtheprovinces，atonceorganizedaunionwhichwasdestinedtolast。Uptothe6thofOctober，nonebutdeputieswerecomprisedinit；afterthatdate，onremovingtoParis，inthelibraryoftheJacobins，aconventintheRueSt。Honoré，manywell—knowneminentmenwereadmitted，suchasCondorcet，andthenLaharpe，Chénier，Champfort，David，andTalma，amongthemostprominent，withotherauthorsandartists，thewholeamountingtoaboutathousandnotablepersonages。——Noassemblagecouldbemoreimposing——twoorthreehundreddeputiesareonitsbenches，whileitsrulesandby—lawsseemspeciallydesignedtogatherasuperiorbodyofmen。Candidatesforadmissionwereproposedbytenmembersandafterwardsvotedonbyballot。Tobepresentatoneofitsmeetingsrequiredacardofadmission。Ononeoccasion，amemberofthecommitteeoftwo，appointedtoverifythesecards，happenstobetheyoungDukeofChartres。Thereisacommitteeonadministrationandapresident。Discussionstookplacewithparliamentaryformalities，and，accordingtoitsstatus，thequestionsconsideredtherewerethoseunderdebateintheNationalAssembly。[31]Inthelowerhall，atcertainhours，workmenreceivedinstructionandtheconstitutionwasexplainedtothem。Seenfromafar，nosocietyseemsworthierofdirectingpublicopinion；nearby，thecaseisdifferent。Inthedepartments，however，wheredistancelendsenchantment，andwhereoldcustomsprevailimplantedbycentralization，itisacceptedasaguidebecauseitsseatisatthecapital。Itsstatutes，itsregulations，itsspirit，areallimitated；itbecomesthealmamaterofotherassociationsandtheyitsadopteddaughters。Itpublishes，accordingly，alistofallclubsconspicuouslyinitsjournal，togetherwiththeirdenunciations；itinsistsontheirdemands；
henceforth，everyJacobinintheremotestboroughfeelsthesupportandendorsement，notonlyofhislocal，club，butagainofthegreatclubwhosenumerousoffshootsreachedtheentireterritoryandwhichextendsitsall—powerfulprotectiontotheleastofitsadherents。Inreturnforthisprotection，eachassociatedclubobeysthewordofcommandgivenatParis，andtoandfrom，fromthecentertotheextremities，aconstantcorrespondencemaintainstheestablishedharmony。Avastpoliticalmachineisthussetagoing，amachinewiththousandsofarms，allworkingatonceunderoneimpulsion，andtheleverwhichthemotionsisinthehandsofafewmasterspiritsintheRueSt。Honoré。
Nomachinecouldbemoreeffective；neverwasoneseensowellcontrivedformanufacturingartificial，violentpublicopinion，formakingthisappeartobenational，spontaneoussentiment，forconferringtherightsofthesilentmajorityonavociferousminority，forforcingthesurrenderofthegovernment。
"Ourtacticswereverysimple，"saysGrégoire[32]。"ItwasunderstoodthatoneofusshouldtakeadvantageofthefirstfavorableopportunitytoproposesomemeasureintheNationalAssemblythatwassuretobeapplaudedbyasmallminorityandcrieddownbythemajority。Butthatmadenodifference。Theproposerdemanded，whichwasgranted，thatthemeasureshouldbereferredtoacommitteeinwhichitsopponentshopedtoseeitburied。ThentheParisJacobinstookholdofit。Acircularwasissued，afterwhichanarticleonthemeasurewasprintedintheirjournalanddiscussedinthreeorfourhundredclubsthatwereleaguedtogether。ThreeweeksafterthistheAssemblywasfloodedwithpetitionsfromeveryquarter，demandingadecreeofwhichthefirstproposalhadbeenrejected，andwhichisnowpassedbyagreatmajoritybecauseadiscussionofithadripenedpublicopinion。"
Inotherwords，theAssemblymustgoaheadoritwillbedrivenalong，inwhichprocesstheworstexpedientsarethebest。Thosewhoconducttheclub，whetherfanaticsorintriguers，arefullyagreedonthispoint。
AttheheadoftheformerclassisDuport，onceacounselorintheparliament，who，after1788，knewhowtoturnriotstoaccount。Thefirstrevolutionaryconsultationswereheldinhishouse。Hewantstoploughdeep，andhisdevicesforburyingtheploughsharearesuchthatSieyès，aradical，ifthereeverwasone，dubbedita"cavernouspolicy。"[33]Duport，onthe28thofJuly，1789，istheorganizeroftheCommitteeonSearches，bywhichallfavorablydisposedinformersorspiesforminhishandsasupervisorypolice，whichfastbecomesapoliceofprovocation。HefindsrecruitsinthelowerhalloftheJacobinclub，whereworkmencometobecatechizedeverymorning，whilehistwolieutenants，thebrothersLaurette，haveonlytodrawonthesamesourceforazealousstaffinachoiceselectionoftheirinstruments。"Tenreliablemenreceiveorderstheredaily；[34]eachoftheseinturngiveshisorderstotenmore，belongingtodifferentbattalionsinParis。Inthiswayeachbattalionandsectionreceivesthesameinsurrectionaryorders，thesamedenunciationsoftheconstitutedauthorities，ofthemayorofParis，ofthepresidentofthedepartment，andofthecommanderoftheNationalGuard，"
everythingtakingplacesecretly。Thesearedarkdeeds:theleadersthemselvescallit’theSabbath’and，alongwithfanaticstheyenlistruffians。"Theyspreadtherumorthat，onacertainday，therewillbeagreatcommotionwithassassinationsandpillage，precededbythepaymentofmoneydistributedfromhandtohandbysubalternofficersamongthosethatcanbereliedon，andthatthesebandsaretoassemble，asadvertised，withinaradiusofthirtyorfortyleagues。"[35]————Oneday，toprovokeariot，"halfadozenmen，whohavearrangedthething，formasmallgroup，inwhichoneofthemholdsforthvehemently；atonceacrowdofaboutsixtyothersgathersaroundthem。Thenthesixmenmoveonfromplacetoplace，"toformfreshgroupsmakingtheirapparentexcitementpassforpopularirritation。——Anotherday，"aboutfortyfanatics，withpowerfullungs，andfourorfivehundredpaidmen，"scatterthemselvesaroundtheTuileries，"yellingfuriously，"and，gatheringunderthewindowsoftheAssembly，"moveresolutionstoassassinate。"——"Ourushers，"
saysadeputytotheAssembly，"whomyouorderedtosuppressthistumult，heardreiteratedthreatsofbringingyoutheheadsofthosethecrowdwishedtoproscribe。Thatveryevening，inthePalais—Royal，"Iheardasubordinateleaderofthisfactiousbandboastofhavingchargedyourusherstotakethisanswerback，addingthattherewastimeenoughyetforallgoodcitizenstofollowhisadvice。"——Thewatchwordoftheseagitatorsis，areyoutrueandtheresponseis，atrueman。Theirpayistwelvefrancsaday，andwheninactiontheymakeengagementsonthespotatthatrate。"FromseveraldepositionstakenbyofficersoftheNationalGuardandatthemayoralty，"itisascertainedthattwelvefrancsadayweretenderedto"honestpeopletojoininwiththoseyoumayhaveheardshouting，andsomeofthemactuallyhadthetwelvefrancsputintotheirhands。"——ThemoneycomesfromthecoffersoftheDukeofOrleans，andtheyarefreelydrawnupon；athisdeath，withapropertyamountingto114，000，000
francs，hisdebtsamountto74，000，000。[36]Beingoneofthefaction，hecontributestoitsexpenses，and，beingtherichestmaninthekingdom，hecontributesproportionatelytohiswealth。Notbecauseheisapartyleader，forheistooeffeminate，toonervous；but"hispettycouncil，"[37]andespeciallyoneofhisprivatesecretaries，Laclos，cherishesgreatdesignsforhim，theirobjectbeingtomakehimlieutenant—generalofthekingdom，afterwardsregent，andevenking，[38]sothattheymayruleinhisnameand"sharetheprofits。"—
—Inthemeantimetheyturnhiswhimstothebestaccount，particularlyLaclos，whoisakindofsubordinateMacchiavelli，capableofanything，profound，depraved，andlongindulginghisfondnessformonstrouscombinations；nobodyeversocoollydelightedinindescribablecompoundsofhumanwickednessanddebauchery。Inpolitics，asinromance，hisdepartmentis"LesLiaisonsDangereuses。"
Formerlyhemaneuveredasanamateurwithprostitutesandruffiansinthefashionableworld；nowhemaneuversinearnestwiththeprostitutesandruffiansofthesidewalks。Onthe5thofOctober1789，heisseen，"dressedinabrowncoat，"[39]foremostamongthewomenstartingforVersailles，whilehishand[40]isvisible"intheRéveillonaffair，alsointheburningofbarriersandChateaux，"andinthewidespreadpanicwhicharousedallFranceagainstimaginarybandits。Hisoperations，saysMalouet，"wereallpaidforbytheDukeofOrleans"；heenteredintothem"forhisownaccount，andtheJacobinsfortheirs。"——Atthistimetheirallianceisplaintoeverybody。Onthe21stofNovember，1790，Laclosbecomessecretaryoftheclub，chiefofthedepartmentofcorrespondence，titulareditorofitsjournal，andtheinvisible，active，andpermanentdirectorofallitsenterprises。Whetheractualdemagoguesorpromptedbyambition，whetherpaidagentsorearnestrevolutionaries，eachgroupworksonitsownaccount，bothinconcert，bothinthesamedirection，andbothdevotedtothesameundertaking，whichistheconquestofpowerbyeverypossiblemeans。
V。
SmallnumberofJacobins。—Sourcesoftheirpower。—Theyformaleague。—Theyhavefaith。—Theirunscrupulousness。—Thepowerofthepartyvestedinthegroupwhichbestfulfillstheseconditions。
Atfirstsighttheirsuccessseemsdoubtful，fortheyareinaminority，andaverysmallone。AtBesan？on，inNovember，1791，therevolutionariesofeveryshadeofopinionanddegree，whetherGirondistsorMontagnards，consistofabout500or600outof3，000
electors，and，inNovember，1792，ofnotmorethanthesamenumberoutof6，000and7，000。[41]AtParis，inNovember，1791，thereare6，700
outofmorethan81，000ontherolls；inOctober，1792，therearelessthan14，000outof160，000。[42]AtTroyes，in1792，therearefoundonly400or500outof7，000electors，andatStrasbourgthesamenumberoutof8，000electors。[43]Accordinglyonlyaboutone—tenthoftheelectoralpopulationarerevolutionaries，andifweleaveouttheGirondistsandthesemi—conservatives，thenumberisreducedbyone—
half。Towardstheendof1792，atBesan？on，scarcelymorethan300
pureJacobinsarefoundinapopulationoffrom25，000to30，000，whileatParis，outof700，000inhabitantsonly5，000areJacobins。
Itiscertainthatinthecapital，wherethemostexcitementprevails，andwheremoreofthemarefoundthanelsewhere，never，eveninacrisisandwhenvagabondsarepaidandbanditsrecruited，aretheremorethan10，000。[44]InalargetownlikeToulousearepresentativeofthepeopleonmissionaryservicewinsoveronlyabout400
persons。[45]Countingfiftyorsoineachsmalltown，twentyineachlargeborough，andfiveorsixineachvillage，wefind，onanaverage，butoneJacobintofifteenelectorsandNationalGuards，while，takingthewholeofFrance，alltheJacobinsputtogetherdonotamountto300，000。[46]——Thisisasmallnumberfortheenslavementofsixmillionsofable—bodiedmen，andforinstallinginacountryoftwenty—sixmillionsinhabitantsamoreabsolutedespotismthanthatofanAsiaticsovereign。Force，however，isnotmeasuredbynumbers；theyformabandinthemidstofacrowdand，inthisdisorganized，inertcrowd，abandthatisdeterminedtopushitswaylikeanironwedgesplittingalog。
Andagainstseditionfromwithinaswellasconquestfromwithoutanationmayonlydefenditselfthroughtheactivitiesofitsgovernment，whichprovidestheindispensableinstrumentsofcommonaction。Letitfailorfalterandthegreatmajority，undecidedaboutwhattodo，lukewarmandbusyelsewhere，ceasestobeacorpsanddisintegratesintodust。Ofthetwogovernmentsaroundwhichthenationmighthaverallied，thefirstone，afterJuly14，1789，liesprostrateonthegroundwhereitslowlycrumblesaway。Nowitsghost，whichreturns，isstillmoreodiousbecauseitbringswithitthesamesenselessabusesandintolerableburdens，and，inadditiontothese，ayelpingpackofclaimantsandrecriminators。After1790itappearsonthefrontiermorearbitrarythaneverattheheadofacominginvasionofangryémigrésandgraspingforeigners。——Theothergovernment，thatjustconstructedbytheConstituentAssembly，issobadlyputtogetherthatthemajoritycannotuseit。Itisnotadaptedtoitshand；nopoliticalinstrumentatoncesoponderousandsohelplesswaseverseen。Anenormouseffortisneededtosetitinmotion；everycitizenisobligedtogiveitabouttwodayslaborperweek。[47]Thuslaboriouslystartedbuthalfinmotion，itpoorlymeetsthevarioustasksimposeduponit——thecollectionoftaxes，publicorderinthestreets，thecirculationofsupplies，andsecurityforconsciences，livesandproperty。Toppledoverbyitsownaction，anotherrisesoutofit，illegalandserviceable，whichtakesitsplaceandstands。——
Inagreatcentralizedstatewhoeverpossessestheheadpossessesthebody。Byvirtueofbeingled，theFrenchhavecontractedthehabitoflettingthemselvesbeled。[48]Peopleintheprovincesinvoluntarilyturntheireyestothecapital，and，onacrisisoccurring，runouttostopthemailmantoknowwhatgovernmenthappenstohavefallen，themajorityacceptsorsubmitstoit。——Because，inthefirstplace，mostoftheisolatedgroupswhichwouldliketooverthrowitdarenotengageinthestruggle:itseemstoostrong；throughinveterateroutinetheyimaginebehinditthatgreat，distantFrancewhich，underitsimpulsion，willcrushthemwithitsmass。[49]Inthesecondplace，shouldafewisolatedgroupsundertaketooverthrowit，theyarenotinaconditiontokeepupthestruggle:itistoostrong。Theyare，indeed，notyetorganizedwhileitisfullyso，owingtothedocilesetofofficialsinheritedfromthegovernmentoverthrown。Undermonarchyorrepublicthegovernmentclerkcomestohisofficeregularlyeverymorningtodispatchtheorderstransmittedtohim。[50]
Undermonarchyorrepublicthepolicemandailymakeshisroundtoarrestthoseagainstwhohehasawarrant。Solongasinstructionscomefromaboveinthehierarchicalorderofthings，theyareobeyed。
Fromoneendoftheterritorytotheother，therefore，themachine，withitshundredthousandarms，worksefficientlyinthehandsofthosewhohaveseizedtheleveratthecentralpoint。Resolution，audacity，rudeenergy，areallthatareneededtomaketheleveract，andnoneofthesearewantingintheJacobin。[51]
First，hehasfaith，andfaithatalltimes"movesmountains。[52]
"Takeanyordinarypartyrecruit，anattorney，asecond—ratelawyer，ashopkeeper，anartisan，andconceive，ifyoucan，theextraordinaryeffectofthisdoctrineonamindsopoorlypreparedforit，sonarrow，sooutofproportionwiththegiganticconceptionwhichhasmasteredit。Formedfortheroutineandthelimitedviewsofoneinhisposition，heissuddenlycarriedawaybyacompletesystemofphilosophy，atheoryofnatureandofman，atheoryofsocietyandofreligion，atheoryofuniversalhistory，[53]conclusionsaboutthepast，thepresent，andthefutureofhumanity，axiomsofabsoluteright，asystemofperfectandfinaltruth，thewholeconcentratedinafewrigidformulaeas，forexample:
"Religionissuperstition，monarchyisusurpation，priestsareimpostors，aristocratsarevampires，andkingsaresomanytyrantsandmonsters。"
Theseideasfloodamindofhisstamplikeavasttorrentprecipitatingitselfintoanarrowgorge；theyupsetit，and，nolongerunderself—direction，theysweepitaway。Themanisbesidehimself。Aplainbourgeois，acommonlaborerisnottransformedwithimpunityintoanapostleorliberatorofthehumanspecies。——For，itisnothiscountrythathewouldsave，buttheentirerace。Roland，justbeforethe10thofAugust，exclaims"withtearsinhiseyes，shouldlibertydieinFrance，sheislosttherestoftheworldforever！Thehopesofphilosopherswillperish！Thewholeearthwillsuccumbtothecruelesttyranny！"[54]——Grégoire，onthemeetingoftheConvention，obtainedadecreeabolishingroyalty，andseemedovercomewiththethoughtoftheimmensebenefithehadconferredonthehumanrace。
"Imustconfess，"saidhe，"thatfordaysIcouldneithereatnorsleepforexcessofjoy！"
OnedayaJacobininthetribunedeclared:"Weshallbeanationofgods！"——Fancieslikethesebringonlunacy，or，atallevents，theycreatedisease。"Somemenareinafeveralldaylong，"saidacompanionofSt。Just；"Ihaditfortwelveyears……"[55]Lateron，"whenadvancedinlifeandtryingtoanalyzetheirexperiences，theycannotcomprehendit。"[56]Anothertellsthat，inhiscase，ona"crisisoccurring，therewasonlyahair’sbreadthbetweenreasonandmadness。"——"WhenSt。Justandmyself，"saysBaudot，"dischargedthebatteriesatWissenbourg，weweremostliberallythankedforit。Well，therewasnomeritinthat；weknewperfectlywellthattheshotcouldnotdousanyharm。"——Man，inthisexaltedstate，isunconsciousofobstacles，and，accordingtocircumstances，riseaboveorfallsbelowhimself，freelyspillinghisownbloodaswellasthebloodofothers，heroicasasoldierandatrociousasacivilian；heisnottoberesistedineitherdirectionforhisstrengthincreasesahundredfoldthroughhisfury，and，onhistearingwildlythroughthestreets，peoplegetoutofhiswayasontheapproachofamadbull。
Iftheydonotjumpasideoftheirownaccord，hewillrunatthem，forheisunscrupulousaswellasfurious。——Ineverypoliticalstrugglecertainkindsofactionsareprohibited；atallevents，ifthemajorityissensibleandwishestoactfairly，itrepudiatesthemforitself。Itwillnotviolateanyparticularlaw，for，ifonelawisbroken，thistendstothebreakingofothers。Itisopposedtooverthrowinganestablishedgovernmentbecauseeveryinterregnumisareturntobarbarism。Itisopposedtotheelementofpopularinsurrectionbecause，insucharesort，publicpowerissurrenderedtotheirrationalityofbrutalpassion。Itisopposedtoaconversionofthegovernmentintoamachineforconfiscationandmurderbecauseitdeemsthenaturalfunctionofgovernmenttobetheprotectionoflifeandproperty。——Themajority，accordingly，inconfrontingtheJacobin，whoallowshimselfallthis，[57]islikeaunarmedmanfacingonewhoisfullyarmed。[58]TheJacobin，onprinciple，holdsthelawincontempt，fortheonlylaw，whichheacceptsisarbitrarymobrule。
Hehasnohesitationinproceedingagainstthegovernmentbecause，inhiseyes，thegovernmentisaclerkwhichthepeoplealwayshastherighttoremove。Hewelcomesinsurrectionbecause，throughit，thepeoplerecovertheirsovereigntywithnolimitations。——Moreover，aswithcasuists，"theendjustifiesthemeans。"[59]"Letthecoloniesperish，"exclaimsaJacobinintheConstituentAssembly，"ratherthansacrificeaprinciple。""Shouldthedaycome，"saysSt。Just，"whenI
becomeconvincedthatitisimpossibletoendowtheFrenchwithmild，vigorous，andrationalways，inflexibleagainsttyrannyandinjustice，thatdayIwillstabmyself。"Meanwhileheguillotinestheothers。
"WewillmakeFranceagraveyard，"exclaimedCarrier，"ratherthannotregeneratingitourownway！"[60]Theyarereadytorisktheshipinordertoseizethehelm。Fromthefirst，theyorganizestreetriotsandjacqueriesintheruraldistricts，theyletlooseonsocietyprostitutesandruffians，vileandsavagebeasts。Throughoutthestruggletheytakeadvantageofthecoarsestandmostdestructivepassions，oftheblindness，credulity，andrageofaninfatuatedcrowd，ofdearth，offearofbandits，ofrumorsofconspiracy，andofthreatsofinvasion。Atlast，havingseizedpowerthroughageneralupheaval，theyholdontoitthroughterrorandexecutions。——
Strainingwilltotheutmost，withnocurbtocheckit，steadfastlybelievinginitsownrightandwithuttercontemptfortherightsofothers，withfanaticalenergyandtheexpedientsofscoundrels，aminoritymay，inemployingsuchforces，easilymasterandsubdueamajority。Sotrueisthat，withfactionitself，thatvictoryisalwaysonthesideofthegroupwiththestrongestfaithandtheleastscruples。Fourtimesbetween1789and1794，politicalgamblerstaketheirseatsatatablewherethestakeissupremepower，andfourtimesinsuccessionthe"Impartiaux，"the"Feuillants，"the"Girondins，"andthe"Dantonists，"formthemajorityandlosethegame。Fourtimesinsuccessionthemajorityhasnodesiretobreakcustomaryrules，or，attheveryleast，toinfringeonanyruleuniversallyaccepted，towhollydisregardtheteachingsofexperience，theletterofthelaw，thepreceptsofhumanity，orthesuggestionsofpity。——Theminority，onthecontrary，isdeterminedbeforehandtowinatanyprice；itsviewsandopinionarecorrect，andifrulesareopposedtothat，somuchtheworsefortherules。Atthedecisivemoment，itclapsapistoltoitsadversary’shead，overturnsthetable，andcollectsthestakes。
_
NOTES:
[1]Seethefiguresfurtheron。
[2]MalletduPan，II。491。Danton，in1793，saidonedaytooneofhisformerbrethrenanadvocatetotheCouncil。:"Theoldrégimemadeagreatmistake。ItbroughtmeuponascholarshipinPlessisCollege。
Iwasbroughtupwithnobles，whoweremycomrades，andwithwhomI
livedonfamiliarterms。Oncompletingmystudies，Ihadnothing；I
waspoorandtriedtogetaplace。TheParisbarwasveryexpensive，anditrequiredextensiveeffortstobeaccepted。Icouldnotgetintothearmy，havingneitherranknorpatronage。TherewasnoopeningformeintheChurch。Icouldpurchasenoemployment，forIhadn’tacent。
Myoldcompanionsturnedtheirbacksonme。Iremainedwithoutasituation，andonlyaftermanylongyearsdidIsucceedinbuyingthepostofadvocateintheRoyalCouncil。TheRevolutioncame，whenI，andalllikeme，threwthemselvesintoit。Theancientrégimeforcedustodoso，byprovidingagoodeducationforus，withoutprovidinganopeningforourtalents。"ThisappliestoRobespierre，C。
Desmoulins，Brissot，Vergniaud，andothers。
[3]ReligiousorderfoundedinRomein1654bysaintPhilippeNeriandwhodedicatedtheireffortstopreachingandtheeducationofchildren。（SR）
[4]Dauban，"LaDemagogieàParisen1793，"and"Parisin1794。"ReadGeneralHenriot’sordersofthedayinthesetwoworks。Comparton，"HistoireduTribunalRévolutionairedeParis，"aletterbyTrinchard，I。306（whichisheregivenintheoriginal，onaccountoftheortography）:"Situnestpastouteseulleetquelecompagnionsoitatravaillertupeusmachaireamieventirvoirjuger24mesieurstoussideventprésidentouconselierauparlementdeParisetdeToulouse。
Jet’ainviteaprendrequelquechoseavendevenirparchequenousnauronspasfinide3hurres。Jet’embrasemachaireamieetépouge。"—
Ibid。II。350，examinationofAndréChenier。—Wallon，"Hist。DuTrib。Rév。"，I，316。LetterbySimon。"Jetecoittelebonjourmoisestmonestpousse。"
[5]Cf。"TheRevolution，"page60。
[6]Cf。OnthispointtheadmissionsofthehonestBailly（"Mémoires，"passim）
[7]RétifdelaBretonne:"NuitsdeParis，"11émenuit，p。36。"I
livedinParistwenty—fiveyearsasfreeasair。Allcouldenjoyasmuchfreedomasmyselfintwoways—bylivinguprightly，andbynotwritingpamphletsagainsttheministry。Allelsewaspermitted，myfreedomneverbeinginterferedwith。ItisonlysincetheRevolutionthatascoundrelcouldsucceedinhavingmearrestedtwice。"
[8]Cf。"TheRevolution，"vol。I。p。264。
[9]Moniteur，IV。495。（LetterfromChartres，May27，1790。）
[10]Sauzay，I。147，195218，711。
[11]MercuredeFrance，numbersofAugust7，14，26，andDec。18，1790。
[12]Ibid。numberofNovember26，1790。PétioniselectedmayorofParisby6，728outof10，632voters。"Only7，000votersarefoundattheelectionoftheelectorswhoelectdeputiestothelegislature。
Primaryandmunicipalmeetingsaredesertedinthesameproportion。"—
—Moniteur，X。529（NumberofDec。4，1791）。ManueliselectedAttorneyoftheCommuneby3，770outof5，311voters。——Ibid。XI。378。AttheelectionofmunicipalofficersforParis，Feb。10and11，1792，only3，787voterspresentthemselves；Dussault，whoobtainsthemostvotes，has2，588；Sergentreceives1，648。——BuchezetRoux，XI。238（sessionofAug。12，1791）。SpeechbyChapelier；"ArchivesNationales，"F。6
（carton），21。PrimarymeetingofJune13，1791，cantonofBèze（Coted’Or）。Outof460activecitizens，157arepresent，and，onthefinalballot，58。——Ibid。，F7，3235，（January，1792）。Lozerre:"1，000
citizens，atmost，outof25，000，votedintheprimarymeetings。At。
Saint—Chèly，capitalofthedistrict，afewarmedruffianssucceedinformingtheprimarymeetingandinsubstitutingtheirownelectionforthatofeightparishes，whosefrightenedcitizenswhowithdrewfromit……AtLangogne，chieftownofthecantonanddistrict，outofmorethan400activecitizens，22or23atmost——justwhatonewouldsupposethemtobewhentheirpresencedroveawaytherest——aloneformedthemeeting。"
[13]Thispower，withitsgratifications，isthusshown，Beugnot，I。
140，147。"OnthepublicationofthedecreesofAugust4，thecommitteeofsurveillanceofMontigny，reinforcedbyallthepatriotsofthecountry，camedownlikeatorrentonthebaronyofChoiseul，andexterminatedalltheharesandpartridges……Theyfishedouttheponds。AtMandreswefind，inthebestroomoftheinn，adozenpeasantsgatheredaroundatabledeckedwithtumblersandbottles，amongstwhichwenoticedaninkstand，pens，andsomethingresemblingaregister。——’Idon’tknowwhattheyareabout，’saidthelandlady，’buttheretheyare，frommorningtillnight，drinking，swearing，andstormingawayateverybody，andtheysaythattheyareacommittee。’"
[14]AlbertBabeau，I。206，242。——ThefirstmeetingoftherevolutionarycommitteeofTroyesinthecemeteryofSt。Jules，August，1789。Thiscommitteebecomestheonlyauthorityinthetown，aftertheassassinationofthemayor，M。Huez（Sept10，1790）。
[15]"TheFrenchRevolution，"Vol。I。pp。235，242，251。—BuchezetRoux，VI，179。—GuillondeMontléon，"HistoiredelaVilledeLyonpendantlaRevolution，"I。87。——Guadet，"LesGirondins。"
[16]Michelet，"HistoiredelaRévolution，"II。47。
[17]TherulesoftheParisclubstatethatmembersmust"labortoestablishandstrengthentheConstitution，accordingtothespiritoftheclub。"
[18]MercuredeFrance，Aug。11，1790。——"JournaldelaSociétédesAmislaConstitution，"Nov。21，1790。——Ibid。，March，1791。—Ibid。，March，1791。—Ibid。，Aug。14，1791（speechbyR？derer）——BuchezetRoux，XI。481。
[19]Michelet，II。407。——Moniteur，XII347（May11，1792），articlebyMarie—JosephChénier，accordingtowhom800Jacobinclubsexistatthisdate。——Ibid。，XII。753（speechbyM。DelfauxsessionofJune25，1792）。—R？derer，prefacetohistranslationofHobbes。
[20]"LesRévolutionsdeParis，"byPrudhomme，number173。
[21]Constant，"Histoired’unClubJacobinenprovince，"passim（FontainbleauClub，foundedMay5，1791）。——AlbertBabeau，I。434andfollowingpages（foundationoftheTroyesClub，Oct1790）。——Sauzay，I206andfollowingpages（foundationoftheBesan？onClubAug。28，1790）。——Ibid。，214（foundationofthePontarlierClub，March，1791）
[22]Sauzay，I。214（April2，1791）
[23]"JournaldesAmisdelaConstitution，"I。534（Letterofthe"CaféNational"ClubofBordeaux，Jan。29，1791）。GuillondeMonthléon，I。88。—"TheFrenchRevolution，"vol。I。128，242。
[24]HerewehaveacompletesystemofpropagandaandorganizationaltacticsidenticaltothoseusedbytheNAZIS，theMarxist—Leninistsandother’children’oftheoriginalcommunist—Jacobins。（SR。）
[25]EugèneHatin，"Histoirepolitiqueetlittérairedelapresse，"
IV。210（withMarat’stextin"L’Ami"I’Amidupeuple，"andFréron’sin"l’Orateurdupeuple"）。
[26]MercuredeFrance，Nov。27，1790。
[27]MercuredeFrance，Sept。3，1791（articlebyMalletduPan）。"Onthestrengthofadenunciation，theauthorsofwhichIknew，theLuxembourgsectiononthe21stofJune，thedayoftheking’sdeparture，sentcommissariesandamilitarydetachmenttomydomicile。
Therewasnojudicialverdict，nolegalorder，eitherofpolice—court，orjusticeofthepeace，noexaminationwhateverprecedingthismission……Theemployeesofthesectionoverhauledmypapers，booksandletters，transcribingsomeofthelatter，andcarriedawaycopiesandtheoriginals，puttingsealsontherest，whichwereleftinchargeoftwofusiliers。"
[28]MercuredeFrance，Aug。27，1791（reportbyDuport—Dutertre，MinisterofJustice）。——Ibid。，Cf。numbersofSept。8，1790，andMarch12，1791。
[29]Sauzay，I。208。（PetitionoftheofficersoftheNationalGuardofBesan？on，andobservationsofthemunicipalbody，Sept。15，1790。——
Petitionof500nationalguards，Dec。15，1790）。——Observationsofthedistrictdirectory，whichdirectory，havingauthorizedtheclub，avowsthat"three—quarters"ofthenationalguardandaportionofothercitizens"arequitehostiletoit。"——SimilarpetitionsatDax，Chalons—sur—Sa？ne，etc。，againstthelocalclub。
[30]"Lettres"（manuscript）ofM。Roullé，deputyfromPontivy，tohisconstituents（May1，1789）。
[31]Aruleoftheassociationsays:"TheobjectoftheassociationistodiscussquestionsbeforehandwhicharetobedecidedbytheNationalAssembly，……andtocorrespondwithassociationsofthesamecharacterwhichmaybeformedinthekingdom。"
[32]Grégoires，"Mémoires，"I。387。
[33]Malouet，II。248。"IsawcounselorDuport，whowasafanatic，andnotabadman，withtwoorthreeotherslikehim，exclaim:’Terror！
Terror！Whatapitythatithasbecomenecessary！
[34]Lafayette，"Mémoires"（inrelationtoMessieursdeLamethandtheirfriends）。——Accordingtoasquiboftheday:"WhatDuportthinks，BarnavesaysandLamethdoes"——ThistriowasnamedtheTriumvirate。Mirabeau，agovernmentman，andamantowhombrutaldisorderwasrepugnant，calledittheTriumgueusat。（Atrinityofshabbyfellows）
[35]Moniteur，V。212，583。（ReportandspeechofDupontdeNemours，sessionsofJuly31andSeptember7，1790。）——VagabondsandruffiansbegintoplaytheirpartsinParisonthe27thofApril，1789（theRéveillonaffair）。——Alreadyonthe30thofJuly，1789，Rivarolwrote:"Woetowhoeverstirsupthedregsofanation！ThecenturyEnlightenmenthasnottouchedthepopulace！"——Intheprefaceofhisfuturedictionary，hereferstohisarticlesofthisperiod:"TheremaybeseentheprecautionsItooktopreventEuropefromattributingtotheFrenchnationthehorrorscommittedbythecrowdofruffianswhichtheRevolutionandthegoldofagreatpersonagehadattractedtothecapital。"——"Letterofadeputytohisconstituents，"
publishedbyDuprez，Paris，inthebeginningof1790（citedbyM。deSégur，intheRevuedeFrance，September1，1880）。Itrelatestothemaneuversforforcingavoteinfavorofconfiscatingclericalproperty。"ThroughoutAll—Saints’day（November1，1789），drumswerebeatentocalltogetherthebandknownhereastheCoadjutorsoftheRevolution。OnthemorningofNovember2，whenthedeputieswenttotheAssembly，theyfoundthecathedralsquareandalltheavenuestothearchbishop’spalace，wherethesessionswereheld，filledwithaninnumerablecrowdofpeople。Thisarmywascomposedoffrom20，000to25，000men，ofwhichthegreaternumberhadnoshoesorstockings；
woollencapsandragsformedtheiruniformandtheyhadclubsinsteadofguns。Theyoverwhelmedtheecclesiasticaldeputieswithinsults，astheypassedontheirway，andshoutedthattheywouldmassacrewithoutmercyallwhowouldnotvoteforstrippingtheclergy……Near300
deputieswhowereopposedtothemotiondidnotdareattendtheAssembly……Therushofruffiansinthevicinityofthehall，theircommentsandthreats，excitedfearsofthisatrociousprojectbeingcarriedout。Allwhodidnotfeelcourageousenoughtosacrificethemselves，avoidedgoingtotheAssembly。"（Thedecreewasadoptedby378votesagainst346。）
[36]Cf。"TheAncientRégime，"p。51。
[37]Malouet，1。247，248。——"Correspondence（manuscript）ofM。deSta？l，"SwedishAmbassador，withhiscourt，copiedfromthearchivesatStockholmbyM。Léouzon—le—Duc。LetterfromM。Sta？lofApril21，1791:"M。Laclos，secretagentofthiswretchedprince，（isa）cleverandsubtleintriguer。"April24:"Hisagentsaremoretobefearedthanhimself。Throughhisbadconduct，heismoreofanuisancethanabenefittohisparty。
[38]Especiallyaftertheking’sflighttoVarennes，andatthetimeoftheaffairintheChampdeMars。ThepetitionoftheJacobinswasdrawnupbyLaclosandBrissot。
[39]InvestigationsattheChatelet，testimonyofCountd’AbsacdeTernay。
[40]MalouetI。247，248。Thisevidenceisconclusive。"ApartfromwhatIsawmyself，"saysMalouet，"M。deMontmorinandM。Delessartcommunicatedtomeallthepolicereportsof1789and1790。"
[41]Sauzay，II。79（municipalelection，Nov。15，1791）。——III。221
（mayoraltyelection，November，1792）。Thehalf—waymoderateshad237
votes，andthesans—culottes，310。
[42]MercuredeFrance，Nov。26，1791（Pétionwaselectedmayor，Nov。17，by6，728votesoutof10，682voters）。——Mortimer—Ternaux，V。
95。（Oct4，1792，Pétionwaselectedmayorby13，746votesoutof14，137voters。Hedeclines。—Oct。21，d’Ormessan，amoderate，whodeclinestostand，hasnevertheless，4，910votes。Hiscompetitor，Lhuillier，apureJacobin，obtainsonly4，896。）
[43]AlbertBabeau，II。15。（The32，000inhabitantsofTroyesindicateabout7，000electors。InDecember，1792，Jacquetiselectedmayorby400votesoutof555voters。Astrikingcoincidenceisfoundintherebeing400membersoftheTroyesclubatthistime。）——Carnot，Mémoires，"I。181。"Dr。Bollmann，whopassedthroughStrasbourgin1792，relatesthatoutof8，000qualifiedcitizens，only400voterspresentedthemselves。
[44]Mortimer—Ternaux，VI。21。InFebruary，1793，PacheiselectedmayorofParisby11，881votes。—JournaldeParis，number185。
Henriot，July2，1793，iselectedcommander—in—chiefoftheParisnationalguard，by9，084，against6，095votesgivenforhiscompetitor，Raffet。Thenationalguardcomprisesatthistime110，000
registeredmembers，besides10，000gendarmesandfederates。ManyofHenriot’spartisans，again，votedtwice。（Cf。ontheelectionsandthenumberofJacobinsatParis，chaptersXI。andXII。ofthisvolume。）
[45]Michelet，VI。95。"Almostall（themissionaryrepresentatives）
weresupportedbyonly，thesmallestminority。Baudot，forinstance，atToulouse，in1793，hadbut400menforhim。"
[46]Forexample，"ArchivesNationales，"Fl6，carton3。PetitionoftheinhabitantsofArnay—le—Ductotheking（April，1792），veryinsulting，employingthemostfamiliarlanguage；aboutfiftysignatures。——Sauzay，III。ch。XXXV。andXXXIV。（detailsoflocalelections）。—Ibid。，VII。687（letterofGrégoire，Dec。24，1796）。——
Malouet，II。531（letterbyMalouet，July22，1779）。MalouetandGrégoireagreeonthenumber300，000。Marie—JosephChénier（Moniteur，XII，695，20avril1792）carriesitupto400，000。
[47]Cf。"TheFrenchRevolution，"Vol。I。bookII。Ch。III。
[48]Cf。"TheAncientRégime，"p。352。
[49]"MemoiresdeMadamedeSapinaud，"p。18。ReplyofM。deSapinaudtothepeasantsofLaVendée，whowishedhimtoactastheirgeneral:
"Myfriends，itistheearthenpotagainsttheironpot。Whatcouldwedo？Onedepartmentagainsteighty—two—weshouldbesmashed！"
[50]Malouet，II。241。"Iknewaclerkinoneofthebureaus，who，duringthesesaddays"September，1792），nevermissedgoing。asusual，tocopyandadduphisregisters。Ministerialcorrespondencewiththearmiesandtheprovincesfolloweditsregularcourseinregularforms。TheParispolicelookedaftersuppliesandkeptitseyeonsharpers，whilebloodraninthestreets。"——Cf。onthismechanicalneedandinveteratehabitofreceivingordersfromthecentralauthority，MalletduPan，"Mémoires，"490:"Dumouriez’
soldierssaidtohim:’F——，papageneral，gettheConventiontoorderustomarchonParisandyou’llseehowwewillmakemince—meatofthoseb——intheAssembly！’"
[51]Withwantgreatinterestdidanyaspiringradicalpoliticiansreadtheselines，whethertheGermansocialistfromHitlerlearnedsomuchorLeninduringhislongstayinParisaround1906。TainemaybethoughtthathewasarmingdecentmentobetterunderstandanddefendtherepublicagainstanewJacobinonslaughtwhile，infact，heprovidedthemwithanaccuraterecipeforrepeatingtherevolution。
（SR）。
[52]At。Matthew，17:20。（SR。）
[53]BuchezetRoux，XXVIII55。LetterbyBrun—Lafond，agrenadierinthenationalguard，July14，1793，toafriendintheprovinces，injustificationofthe31stofMay。Thewholeofthisletterrequirestoberead。InitarefoundtheordinaryideasofaJacobininrelationtohistory:"Canweignore，thatitiseverthepeopleofPariswhich，throughitsmurmuringsandrighteousinsurrectionsagainsttheoppressivesystemofmanyofourkings，hasforcedthemtoentertainmildersentimentsregardingthereliefoftheFrenchpeople，andprincipallyofthetillerofthesoil？……WithouttheenergyofParis，ParisandFrancewouldnowbeinhabitedsolelybyslaves，whilethisbeautifulsoilwouldpresentanaspectaswildanddesertedasthatoftheTurkishempireorthatofGermany，"whichhasledus"toconferstillgreaterlustreonthisRevolution，byre—establishingonearththeancientAthenianandotherGrecianrepublicsinalltheirpurity。Distinctionsamongtheearlypeopleoftheearthdidnotexist；earlyfamilytiesboundpeopletogetherwhohadnoancientfoundersororigin；theyhadnootherlawsintheirrepublicsbutthosewhich，sotosay，inspiredthemwiththosesentimentsoffraternityexperiencedbytheminthecradleofprimitivepopulations。"
[54]Barbaroux，"Mémoires"（Ed。Dauban），336。——Grégoire，"Mémoires，"
I。410。
[55]"LaRévolutionFran？aise，"byQuinet（extractsfromtheunpublished"Mémoires"ofBaudot），II。209，211，421，620。——GuillondeMontléonI。445（speechbyChalier，intheLyonsCentralClub，March23，1793）。"Theysaythatthesans—culotteswillgoonspillingtheirblood。Thisisonlythetalkofaristocrats。Canasans—culottebereachedinthatquarter？Ishenotinvulnerable，likethegodswhomhereplacesonthisearth？"——SpeechbyDavid，intheConvention，onBarraandViala:"Undersofineagovernmentwomanwillbringforthwithoutpain。"——Mercier"LeNouveauParis，"I。13。"Iheard（anorator）exclaiminoneofthesections，towhichIbearwitness:’Yes，Iwouldtakemyownheadbythehair，cutitoff，and，presentingittothedespot，Iwouldsaytohim:Tyrant，beholdtheactofafreeman！’"
[56]Now，onehundredyearslater，Iconsiderthetensofthousandsofwesternintellectuals，who，intheiroldage，seemunabletounderstandtheirlongtimefascinationwithLenin，StalinandMao，I
cannothelptothinkthathistorymightbeholdingsimilarfuturesurprisesinstoreforus。（SR）。