The Uprising of June 20, lygs 67 



able basis of the peace and prosperity of the empire; that the 

 time had come when they ought to execute the law in order to 

 teach the constituted authorities to execute it. He said he 

 understood how the national assembly, led by the example of its 

 predecessors, had up to this time received deputations of armed 

 men in its midst, but that the law which forbade this existed 

 none the less and that past infractions could not justify future 

 infractions. He reminded the assembly that at the beginning of 

 its sessions it had felt that it would be dangerous to admit not 

 only armed deputations but too large a number of unarmed men 

 and for that reason had passed a decree limiting the number to 

 ten. This decree ought to be rigorously executed and it could 

 not be if the ten unarmed persons presenting themselves at the 

 bar should be supported by several thousand armed men out- 

 side. He asked them to remember that all France had its eyes 

 turned upon them and that ill-intentioned persons might easily 

 misinterpret their conduct. "If," he continued, "in spite of the 

 decrees of the department and of the municipality, in spite of 

 laws most formal and most holy, in spite of the excitement and 

 the disorder which reigns in a misled multitude, they should 

 penetrate into our midst and into the chateau, it will be con- 

 cluded that neither the assembly nor the king are free. This 

 imputation would be injurious to the citizens of Paris. It is 

 important to silence calumniators. It is important to show to 

 our fellow citizens that the intrigues of aristocrats and of anarch- 

 ists are equally powerless ; that the constitution will not perish 

 by their efiforts, but will triumph over all of its enemies." He said 

 he was far from resenting the motion of Vergniaud, that on 

 the contrary it appeared essential, since it would show a union 

 which ought to exist between the two powers for the welfare of 

 the country. It is more essential still to show to all Europe that 

 the assembly is not the dupe of a faction that wishes to destroy 

 the constitution and liberty. He then asked, first that Vergniaud's 

 motion be put to vote and, second that the department of Paris 

 be asked to report at the evening session the measures it had 

 taken to execute the law. This speech was very often interrupted 

 by murmurs or applause and at the close both were violent. ]\lany 



263 



