one idea is of
any account, that of the man who, in accepting a declared war, meets the
offensive with the offensive, loads his gun, descends into the street
and contends with the savage destroyers of human society.----Nobody
comes to the support of Lafayette, who alone has the courage to take the
lead; about one hundred men muster at the rendezvous named by him in the
Champs-Elysees. They agree to march to the Jacobin club the following
day and close it, provided the number is increased to three hundred; but
the next day only thirty turn up. Lafayette can do no more than leave
Paris and write a letter containing another protest.--Protestations,
appeals to the Constitution, to the law, to public interest, to common
sense, well-reasoned arguments; this side will never resort to anything
else than speeches and paperwork; and, in the coming conflict words will
be of no use.--Imagine a quarrel between two men, one ably presenting
his case and the other indulging in little more than invective; the
latter, having encountered an enormous mastiff on his road, has caressed
him, enticed him, and led him along with him as an auxiliary. To the
mastiff, clever argumentation is only so much unmeaning sound; with his
eager eyes fixed on his temporary master he awaits only his signal to
spring on the adversaries he points out. On the 20th of June he has
almost strangled one of them, and covered him with his slaver. On the
21st,[2608] he is ready to spring again. He continues to growl for fifty
days, at first sullenly and then with terrific energy. On the 25th of
June, July 14 and 27, August 3 and 5, he again makes a spring and is
kept back only with great difficulty.[2609] Already on one occasion,
July 29th, his fangs are wet with human gore.[2610]--At each turn of the
parliamentary debate the defenseless Constitutionalists beholds those
open jaws before him; it is not surprising that he throws to this
dog, or allows to be thrown to him, all the decrees demanded by the
Girondists as a bone for him to gnaw on.--Sure of their strength the
Girondists renew the attack, and the plan of their campaign seems to be
skillfully prepared. They are quite willing to retain the King on his
throne, but on the condition that he shall be a mere puppet; that he
shall recall the patriot ministers, allow them to appoint the Dauphin's
tutor, and that Lafayette shall be removed;[2611] otherwise the Assembly
will pass the act of de-thronement and seize the ex