ministry once overthrown in the interests of commerce the party of
Liberty would show itself; for it is not dead! And if you know your
duties, if your commissioners leave at once, if you extend the hand to
the strangers aspiring to destroy all forms of tyranny, France is saved
and the world is free.

Expedite, then, your commissioners; sustain them with your energy; let
them leave this very night, this very evening.

Let them say to the opulent classes, the aristocracy of Europe must
succumb to our efforts, and pay our debt, or you will have to pay it!
The people have nothing but blood--they lavish it! Go, then, ingrates,
and lavish your wealth! See, citizens, the fair destinies that await
you. What! you have a whole nation as a lever, its reason as your
fulcrum, and you have not yet upturned the world! To do this we need
firmness and character, and of a truth we lack it. I put to one side all
passions. They are all strangers to me save a passion for the public
good.

In the most difficult situations, when the enemy was at the gates of
Paris, I said to those governing: "Your discussions are shameful, I can
see but the enemy. You tire me by squabbling in place of occupying
yourselves with the safety of the Republic! I repudiate you all as
traitors to our country! I place you all in the same line!" I said to
them: "What care I for my reputation! Let France be free, tho my name
were accurst! What care I that I am called 'a blood-drinker!'" Well, let
us drink the blood of the enemies of humanity, if needful; but let us
struggle, let us achieve freedom. Some fear the departure of the
commissioners may weaken one or the other section of this Convention.
Vain fears! Carry your energy everywhere. The pleasantest declaration