68 Carl Christophelsmeier 



motion and in the only expression which has called forth so much 

 criticism, I mean the phrase, peuple fraricais. I adopt it, I de- 

 fend it, I herald it abroad for the very reason that has been urged 

 against it. Yes, it is because the word peuple is not enough re- 

 spected in France, that it is made obscure, covered with the rust 

 of prejudice; because it presents an idea alarming to our pride 

 and revolting to our vanity; because it is pronounced with con- 

 tempt in the chambers of the aristocrats. It is for these very 

 reasons that I wish it ; it is for these very reasons that we ought 

 to assume it, not only to elevate, but to enoble the name and ren- 

 der it thus henceforth respectable to ministers and dear to every 

 heart. If this title were not already ours, it should be selected 

 from among all others, and we should insist upon its adoption 

 as the most precious method of serving that people, which is 

 everything, from whom we derive our authority, that people 

 whose representatives we are, whose rights we defend, and yet 

 the assumption of whose name and title seems to raise the blush 

 of shame on our cheeks. Ah ! how I should exult, if by the choice 

 of such a title, firmness and courage were restored to the down- 

 trodden people! My mind is elevated by the contemplation of 

 futurity, of the happy results which may proceed from the use, 

 the adoption, of this name! The people will look up to us, and 

 we will look up to the people; and our title will remind us of 

 our duties and our strength. Under the shelter of a name which 

 neither startles nor causes alarm, we can sow and cultivate the 

 seeds of liberty. . . Representatives of the people! vouchsafe 

 to answer me! Will you go and tell your constituents that you 

 have rejected this name of people? That if you are not ashamed 

 of them, yet you have endeavored to elude this name as appear- 

 ing not a sufficiently flattering title? That you wanted a more 

 fastidious title than that which they could confer upon you? 

 Gentlemen, do you not perceive that the title of representants du 



mentative passa entre des applaudissements et des murmures ; mais cette 

 peroraison, qu'il prononca d'une voix tonnante, et qu'il fit ecouter par une 

 sorte de terreur, de quel effet elle fut suivie! Ce ne furent -pas des ens, 

 mais des convulsions de rage; l'agitation fut generate, une tempete d'in- 

 jures fondit de toutes parts sur l'orateur, qui restait immobile et debout." 



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