of so many
drawbacks, attempt a struggle, they are arrested at the very first step.
For, to enter upon an electoral campaign, requires preliminary meetings
for conference and to understand each other, while the faculty of
forming an association, which the law grants them as a right, is
actually withheld from them by their adversaries. As a beginning, the
Jacobins hooted at and "stone" the members of the "Right"[2116] holding
their meetings in the Salon francais of the Rue Royale, and, according
to the prevailing rule, the police tribunal, "considering that this
assemblage is a cause of disturbance, that it produces gatherings in the
street, that only violent means can be employed to protect it," orders
its dissolution.[2117]--Towards the month of August, 1790, a second club
is organized, and, this time, composed of the wisest and most liberal
men. Malouet and Count Clermont-Tonnerre are at the head of it. It takes
the name of "Friends of a Monarchical Constitution," and is desirous
of restoring public order by maintaining the reforms which have been
reached. All formalities on its part have been complied with. There
are already about 800 members in Paris. Subscriptions flow into its
treasury. The provinces send in numerous adhesions, and, what is worse
than all, bread is distributed by them at a reduced price, by which the
people, probably, will be conciliated. Here is a center of opinion and
influence, analogous to that of the Jacobin club, which the Jacobins
cannot tolerate.[2118] M. de Clermont-Tonnerre having leased the summer
Vauxhall, a captain in the National Guard notifies the proprietor of it
that if he rents it, the patriots of the Palais-Royal will march to it
in a body, and close it; fearing that the building will be damaged,
he cancels the lease, while the municipality, which fears skirmishes,
orders a suspension of the meetings. The club makes a complaint and
follows it up, while the letter of the law is so plain that an official
authorization of the club is finally granted. Thereupon the Jacobin
newspapers and stump--speakers let loose their fury against a future
rival that threatens to dispute their empire. On the 23rd of January,
1791, Barnave, in the National Assembly, employing metaphorical language
apt to be used as a death-shout, accuses the members of the new club "of
giving the people bread that carries poison with it." Four days after
this, M. Clermont-Tonnerre's dwelling is assailed by an armed t