of seven calls by name," sent to the departments from Paris by the
Jacobins, their names are found on the right.[3315]--Through an excess
of precaution the Constitutionalists of the Legislative body are kept at
the capital, their passports being refused to them to prevent them from
returning into the provinces and obtaining votes by publicly stating
the truth in relation to the recent revolution.--In the same way, all
conservative journals are suppressed, reduced to silence, or compelled
to become turncoats.--Now, when one has neither the possibility to speak
up nor a candidate which might become one's representative, of what use
is it to vote? And especially, since the primary assemblies are places
of disorder and violence,[3316] patriots alone, in many places, being
admitted,[3317] a conservative being "insulted and overwhelmed with
numbers," and, if he utters an opinion, exposed to danger, also, if he
remains silent, incurring the risk of denunciations, threats, and blows.
To keep in the background, remain on the sidelines, avoid being seen,
and to strive to be forgotten, is the rule under a pasha, and especially
when this pasha is a mob. Hence the absenteeism of the majority; around
the ballot-box there is an enormous void. At Paris, in the election of
mayor and municipal officers, the balloting of October, November and
December collect together only 14,000 out of 160,000 registered voters,
later 10,000, and, later again, only 7,000.[3318] At Besancon, 7,000.
registered voters result in less than 600; there is the same proportion
in other towns, as for example, in Troyes. In like manner, in the rural
cantons, east of Doubs and west of Loire-Inferieure, but one-tenth of
the electors dare exercise their right to vote.[3319] The electoral
source is so exhausted, so often disturbed, and so stopped up as to be
almost dry: in these primary assemblies which, directly or indirectly,
delegate all public powers, and which, in the expression of the common
will, should be full, there are lacking six millions three hundred
thousands electors out of seven millions.[3320]

III.--Composition and tone of the secondary assemblies.

Exclusion of "Feuillant" electors.--Pressure on other
electors.--Persons elected by the conservatives obliged to
resign.--Elections by the Catholics canceled.--Secession of
the Jacobin minorities.--The election of their men made
valid.--Public opinion not in accord with off