itiative is of the highest
importance.]

[Footnote 3167: "The Revolution," II., 238 (Note) and 283.--Garat, 309:
"After the 20th of June everybody made mischief at the chateau; the
power of which was daily increasing. Danton arranged the 10th of
August and the chateau was thunderstruck."--Robinet: "Le Proces
des Dantonistes," 224, 229. ("Journal de la Societe des amis de la
Constitution," No. 214, June 5, 1792.) Danton proposes "the law of
Valerius Publicola, passed in Rome after the expulsion of the Tarquins,
permitting every citizen to kill any man convicted of having expressed
opinions opposed to the law of the State, except in case of proof of
the crime." (Ibid., Nos. 230 and 231, July 13, 1792.) Danton induces the
federals present "to swear that they will not leave the capital until
liberty is established, and before the will of the department is made
known on the fate of the executive power." Such are the principles and
the instruments, of "August 10th" and "September 2nd."]

[Footnote 3168: Garat, 314. "He was present for a moment on the
committee of Public Safety. The outbreaks of May 31st and June 2nd
occurred; he was the author of both these days."]

[Footnote 3169: Decrees of April 6 and 7, 1793.]

[Footnote 3170: Decree of September 5, 1793.]

[Footnote 3171: Decree of March 10, 1793.]

[Footnote 3172: August 1 and 12, 1793.]

[Footnote 3173: See "The Revolution," vol. III., ch. I.-Buchez et Roux,
XXV., 285. (Meeting of Nov.26, 1793.)--Moniteur, XIX., 726. Danton
(March 16, 1794) secures the passing of a decree that "hereafter prose
only shall be heard at the rostrum of the house."]

[Footnote 3174: Archives Nationales, Papers of the committee of General
Security, No 134.--Letter of Delacroix to Danton, Lille, March 25, 1793,
on the situation in Belgium, and the retreat of Dumouriez.... "My letter
is so long I fear that you will not read it to the end... .Oblige me by
forgetting your usual indolence."--Letter of Chabot to Danton, Frimaire
12, year II. "I know your genius, my dear colleague, and consequently
your natural indolent disposition. I was afraid that you would not
read me through if I wrote a long letter. Nevertheless I rely on your
friendship to make an exception in my favor."]

[Footnote 3175: Lagrange, the mathematician, and senator under the
empire, was asked how it was that he voted for the terrible annual
conscriptions. "It had no sensible effect on the tables of mortality,"
he repl