reproaches them with the violent decrees they have passed in concert
with the "Mountain;" with persecutions, confiscations, every species
of injustice and cruelty; it always sees the King's blood on their
hands; they, too, are regicides, anti-Catholics, anti-Christians,
demolishers and levelers.[57] -- Undoubtedly they are less so than the
"Mountain;" hence, when the provincial insurrection breaks out, many
Feuillants and even Royalists follow them to the section assemblies
and join in their protests. But the majority goes no further, and
soon falls back into is accustomed inertia. It is not in harmony with
its leaders:[58] its latent preferences are opposed to their avowed
program; it does not wholly trust them; it has only a half-way
affection for them; its recent sympathies are deadened by old
animosities: everywhere, instead of firmness there is only caprice.
All this affords no assurance of steadfast loyalty and practical
adhesion. The Girondin deputies scattered through the provinces
relied upon each department arousing itself at their summons and
forming a republican Vendée against the "Mountain:" nowhere do they
find anything beyond mild approval and speculative hopes.

There remains to support them the élite of the republican party, the
scholars and lovers of literature, who are honest and sincere
thinkers, who, worked upon by the current dogmas, have accepted the
philosophical catechism literally and seriously. Elected judges, or
department, district, and city administrators, commanders and officers
of the National Guard, presidents and secretaries of sections, they
occupy most of the places conferred by local authority, and hence
their almost unanimous protest seems at first to be the voice of
France. In reality, it is only the despairing cry of a group of
staff-officers without an army. Chosen under the electoral pressure
with which we are familiar, they possess rank, office and titles, but