书城公版The Origins of Contemporary France
35302100000551

第551章

"We do not pretend that these are legal methods; but, drawing nearer to nature, we demand what object the oppressed have in view in invoking justice. Is it to lag behind and vainly pursue an equitable adjustment which is rendered fleeting by judicial forms? Correct these abuses or do not complain of the sovereign people suppressing them in advance. . . . You, sir, with so many reasons for it, would do well to recall your insults and redeem the wrongs you have inflicted before we happen to render them public." . . . "Citizen Minister, people flatter you; you are told too often that you are virtuous; the moment this gives you pleasure you cease to be so. . . . Discard the astute brigands who surround you, listen to the people, and remember that a citizen Minister is merely the executor of the sovereign will of the people."However narrow Roland's outlook may be, he must finally comprehend that the innumerable robberies and murders which he has just noted over are not a thoughtless eruption, a passing crisis of delirium, but a manifesto of the victorious party, the beginning of an established system of government. Under this system, write the Marseilles Jacobins,"to-day, in our happy region, the good rule over the bad, and constitute a party which allows no contamination; whatever is vicious has gone into hiding or has been exterminated."-The programme is very precise, and acts form its commentary. This is the programme which the faction, throughout the interregnum, sets openly before the electors.

_____________________________________________________________________Notes:

[1] Guillon de Montléon, I. 122. Letter of Laussel, dated Paris, 28th of August, 1792, to the Jacobins of Lyons: "Tell me how many heads have been cut off at home. It would be infamous to let our enemies escape."1792).

[2] "Les Révolutions de Paris," by Prudhomme, Vol. XIII. pp. 59-63(14th of July, 3 Decrees of the 10th and 11th of August, 1792.

[4] Prudhomme, number of the 15th of September, p. 483. - Mortimer-Ternaux, IV. 430.

[5] Mortimer-Ternaux. IV. II. Fauchet's report, Nov. 6, 1792. - Ib., IV. 91, 142. Discourse of M. Fockedey, administrator of the department of the north, and of M. Bailly, deputy de Seine-et-Marne.

[6] Prudhomme, number of Sept. 1, 1792, pp. 375, 381, 385: number of Sept. 22, pp. 528-530, -Cf. Guillon de Montléon, I. 144. Here are some of the principles announced by the Jacobin leaders of Lyons, Chalier, Laussel, Cusset, Rouillot, etc. "The time has come when this prophecy must be fulfilled: The rich shall be put in the place of the poor, and the poor in the place of the rich." - If a half of their property be left them the rich will still be happy." - "If the laboring people of Lyons are destitute of work and of bread, they can profit by these calamities in helping themselves to wealth in the quarter where they find it." - "No one who is near a sack of wheat can die of hunger. Do you wish the word that will buy all that you want? Slay! - or perish!"[7] Prudhomme, number for the 28th of August, 1792, pp. 284-287.

[8] Cf.. "The French Revolution," I.346. In ten of the departments the seventh jacquerie continues the sixth without a break. Among other examples, this letter from the administrators of Tarn, June 18, 1792, may be read ("Archives Nationales," F7, 3271). "Numerous bands overran both the city (Castres) and the country. They forcibly entered the houses of the citizens, broke the furniture to pieces, and pillaged everything that fell into their hands. Girls and women underwent shameful treatment. Commissioners sent by the district and the municipality to advocate peace were insulted and menaced. The pillage was renewed; the home of the citizen was violated." The administrators add: "In many places the progress made by the constitution was indicated by the speedy and numerous emigrations of its enemies."[9] "Archives Nationales," F7, 3272. Letter of the administrators of the Var, May 27, 1792. --Letter of the minister, Duranthon, May 28.--Letter of the commission composing the directory Oct. 31.

[10] "Archives Nationales," Letter of the administrators of Var, May.

27.-- The saying is the summary of the revolutionary spirit; it recurs constantly. -- Cf. the Duc de Montpensier, "Mémoires," p. 11. At Aix one of his guards said to the sans-culotte who were breaking into the room where he had been placed: "Citizens, by what order do you enter here? and why have you forced the guard at the door?" One of them.

answered: "By order of the people. Don't you know that the people is sovereign?"[11] "Archives Nationales," letter of the public prosecutor, May 23. -Letters of the administrators of the department, May 22, and 27 (on the events of the 13th of May at Beausset).

[12] "Archives Nationales," F7 3193 and 3194. Previous details may be found in these files. This department is one of those in which the seventh jacquerie is merely a prolongation of the sixth. -Cf. F7, 3193. Letter of the royal Commissioner at Milhau, May 5, 1791.