to their
ancient crimes, they merit new punishment by the new offences they
commit. There is a period to the offences of Robespierre. They survive
in his assassins. "Better a living dog," says the old proverb, "than a
dead lion." Not so here. Murderers and hogs never look well till they
are hanged. From villany no good can arise, but in the example of its
fate. So I leave them their dead Robespierre, either to gibbet his
memory, or to deify him in their Pantheon with their Marat and their
Mirabeau.

It is asserted that this government promises stability. God of his mercy
forbid! If it should, nothing upon earth besides itself can be stable.
We declare this stability to be the ground of our making peace with
them. Assuming it, therefore, that the men and the system are what I
have described, and that they have a determined hostility against this
country,--an hostility not only of policy, but of predilection,--then I
think that every rational being would go along with me in considering
its permanence as the greatest of all possible evils. If, therefore, we
are to look for peace with such a thing in any of its monstrous shapes,
which I deprecate, it must be in that state of disorder, confusion,
discord, anarchy, and insurrection, such as might oblige the momentary
rulers to forbear their attempts on neighboring states, or to render
these attempts less operative, if they should kindle new wars. When was
it heard before, that the internal repose of a determined and wicked
enemy, and the strength of his government, became the wish of his
neighbor, and a security, against either his malice or his ambition? The
direct contrary has always been inferred from that state of things:
accordingly, it has ever been the policy of those who would preserve
themselves against the enterprises of such a malignant and mischievous
power to cut out so much work for him in his own states as might keep
his dangerous activity employed at home.

It is said, in vindication of this system, which demands the stability
of the Regicide power as a ground for peace with them, that, when they
have obtained, as now it is said (though not by this noble author) they
have, a permanent government, they will be _able_ to preserve amity with
this kingdom, and with others who have the misfortune to be in their
neighborhood. Granted. They will be _able_ to do so, without question;
but are they willing to do so? Produce the act; produce the declaration.
Have they