ritable people, they are able to conjure up before the Convention
the phantom of popular disapproval.--From the municipality, holding its
sessions at the Hotel-de-ville, and from the conventicle established
at the Eveche, emissaries are sent forth who present the same
formal communication in writing at the same time in every section in
Paris.[34106] "Here is a petition for signatures."--"Read it."--"But
that is unnecessary--it is already adopted by a majority of the
sections."--This lie is accepted by some and several sign in good faith
without reading it. In others they read it and refuse to sign it; in
others, again, it is read and they pass to the order of the day.
What happens? The plotters and ringleaders remain behind until all
conscientious citizens have withdrawn; then, masters of the debate,
they decide that the petition must be signed, and they accordingly
affix their signatures. The next day, on the arrival of citizens at the
section, the petition is handed to them for their names, and the debate
of the previous evening is advanced against them. If they offer any
remarks, they are met with these terrifying words:

Sign, or no certificate of civism!

And, as if approving this threat, several of the sections which are
mastered by those who draw up the lists of proscriptions, decide that
the certificates of civism must be renewed, new ones being refused to
those refusing to sign the petition. They do not rest content with
these moves; men armed with pikes are posted in the streets to force
the signatures of those who pass."[34107]--The whole weight of municipal
authority has been publicly cast into the scale. "Commissaries of the
Commune, accompanied by municipal secretaries, with tables, inkstands,
paper and registers, promenade about Paris preceded by drums and a body
of militia." From time to time, they make "a solemn halt," and declaim
against Brissot, Vergniaud, Guadet, and then "demand and obtain
signatures."[34108]--Thus extorted and borne to the Convention by the
mayor, in the name of the council-general of the Commune and of the
thirty-five sections, the imperious petition denounces twenty-two
Girondists as traitors, and insolently demands their expulsion.--Another
day it is found that a similar summons and similarly presented, in the
name of the forty-eight sections, is authorized only by thirteen
or fourteen.[34109]--Sometimes the political parade is still more
incautious. Pretended deputies of the F