demonstration, not an honest vote,
which is required.[1120] The operation undertaken by the local party is
actually carried out. It beats to arms around the ballot-box; it arrives
in force; it alone speaks with authority; it animates officers; it moves
all the resolutions and draws up the report of proceedings, while the
representatives on mission from Paris add to the weight of the local
authority that of the central authority. In the Macon assembly "they
address the people on each article; this speech is followed by
immense applause and redoubled shouting of Vive la Republique! Vive la
Constitution! Vive le Peuple Francais!" Beware, ye lukewarm, who do not
join in the chorus! They are forced to vote "in a loud, intelligible
voice." They are required to shout in unison, to sign the grandiloquent
address in which the leaders testify their gratitude to the Convention,
and give their adhesion to the eminent patriots delegated by the primary
assembly to bear its report to Paris.[1121]

IV. The Delegates reach Paris

The Delegates reach Paris.--Precautions taken against them.
--Constraints and Seductions.

The first act of the comedy is over and the second act now begins.--The
faction has convoked the delegates of the primary assemblies to Paris
for a purpose. Like the primary assemblies, they are to serve as its
instruments for governing; they are to form the props of dictatorship,
and the object now is to restrict them to that task only.--Indeed, it
is not certain that all will lend themselves to it. For, among the eight
thousand commissioners, some, appointed by refractory assemblies, bring
a refusal instead of an adhesion;[1122] others, more numerous, are
instructed to present objections and point out omissions:[1123] it is
very certain that the envoys of the Girondist departments will insist on
the release or return of their excluded representatives. And lastly,
a good many delegates who have accepted the Constitution in good faith
desire its application as soon as possible, and that the Convention
should fulfill its promise of abdication, so as to give way to a new
Assembly.--As it is important to suppress at once all these vague
desires for independence or tendencies for opposition a decree of the
Convention "authorizes the Committee of General Security to order the
arrest of 'suspect' commissioners;" it is especially to look after those
who, "charged with a special mission, would hold meetings to