ancestors, by any means in their power, and who had collected an army of
one million two hundred thousand foreigners to accomplish their object, at
the risque of a civil war, and a general slaughter, similar to that with
which the unprincipled, revolutionary Jacobins had before afflicted the
nation.

Lafayette was now elected a member of the chamber of deputies from his own
department, though he had protested against the articles of the
constitution of the empire, and of the additional act which conspired
against the _sovereignty_ of the people, and the rights of the citizens.
This was a strong proof of the sense the people had of his integrity and
his patriotism. After the battle of Waterloo, Napoleon returned to Paris,
in consternation, and undecided as to the course he would pursue on this
signal reverse of fortune. Some of his friends advised him again to
abdicate the office of Emperor, which he held by so precarious a tenure;
others suggested decisive and bold measures, with a view to fortify himself
in power, even in apposition to the will and wishes of the deputies. He
attempted to prorogue the chamber of representatives, and have himself
proclaimed perpetual dictator. Lafayette was then present in the chamber;
and with his usual independence and energy, made the following
observations.

"When, for the first time for many years, I raise my voice; which the old
friends of liberty will recognise again, I feel constrained to address you,
gentlemen, on the imminent danger of the country, which you alone are able
to prevent.

"Disastrous reports have been circulated and are now unhappily confirmed.
Now is the time to rally round the old tri-coloured standard of 1789, of
liberty, of equality, and of public order. It is this alone which we are