Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-09-10
From the Boston Daily Advertiser.

Ffae trait IN the character Of La FnVeHe.
Among the just praises ehicf have been be-
slowed upon this distinguished man. one of the
most Just and exaltirg has been overlooked.
II IS ms attachment TO regulated libcrty-his
detestation of anarchy, OF unbri He'd licentious-
ness-his reverence for constitutional law He
Is the only individual who was distinguished in
the French revolution to whom this praise is
due, and it is a noblor one than any which
could be bestowed upon him; for what is liberty
without law Fsend you a translation of a We
~ celebrated letter of This lustrious man, which
was the immediate occasion of the loss of his
popularity, and drew upon him all the subsc
quent disasters of this life, while it ought 10 have
procured for him the everlasting gratitude of
the French people, and the high respect of all
who rightly understand, and properly value CT
vhhoery. 1t was written during the predom-
NANCY of the Brissotin faction aud Just as that
faction was onits decline, and pure Gniisguised
JocobinisTn was gaining the ascendancy. 1t
may be found in the ''ffistoire de la revolution
de France-par deux amis de la iberte~-a
work OF tue most authentic character, written
from year to year, as the revolution proceeded
with the appreciation, at least without the
censure Of the various parties which successive
iy tore in pieces that fairest portion of Europe
La f.lyette's Letter to the Legislature Body.
AT INC Entrenched Campof
Mau5euge, June l6, 1892.
@GENTLEMEN-At the moment, periaps too
long deferred, in which am about to cssst vour
attention to the highest Ptfblic interests, and TO
point out among our dangers tine c0ntIet of n ,ai-
Dtstry, whom have tor long time censt,rad in
my correspondence, learn that unmasEets in
consequence of ITS own divisions, it has fallen
sacrifice to It's own intrigues. (Tbis was q
Brissotin ninistry.I 1t is enough howeve that
hts brunch Of the government has been deliver
cd from its disastrous influence. The publ;c
ynff e
principally on its representatives-The nation
expects from them its security. But in giving
them constitution, France has prescribed TO
thcin the only means by which she can be saved
"Persuaded, gentemen that as the rights of
man are the law Of every constituent assembly
constitution ought 10 he the law OF the Leqis.
latofs, which that constitution shall have esta-
biished. IL Is 10 yos that ou2h. to- denounce
the too powerful efforts which are making. To-
induce you to depart from that course which YOU
have promised to pursue.
''.sothing shrA deter me from the exercise of
h,s right " free Hfns tn faiti this duty of q
citizen neither the rnomeUtary errors of opinion
for what are opinions when they depart from
principles; nor my respect for the Representa-
ftres OF the people, for respect still more the
people, whose sovereign will il is to have con-
stitution; nor the benevocnce and kindness
which You have constantly eyinccd for myself.
for would preserpe that as obtained it, by an
inflexiolc love of liberty.
Your situation is dif,cuit--Fr,nce IS me-
naced from without and ag;tated .vitlsin-sviiifst
foreign powers announce the intolcrabe (inal-
m5sSlc) project OF attacbing our rational So
sereignty, and avow it as IA principle. al sl.e
same fine the enemies OF France, its interior
soe;nios, Intoxicated With f;l,sticisp and pride,
enterta.n cmfnerIcai hopes, and annoy us With
theiF insolent malovoleDce. You ought, gen
tlcahcn, - repress them, and YOU will have tue
pOYcr 50 To do, only citen you stall become con
stittstiDi.tl and just. You wish it, no doubt; but
>1ot Jour eyes upon all that passes within your
own holy and around you. Can you dissemble
even TO yourselves that fitction, land 10 avoid
al vague denuGciatiOns] the iacobin frrt;ou
have caused ali ti,cya disorders, Its Hp Ictich
I bph{ig nccuSe-organzet like a separate en-
pire IN the metropolis, and is affiliated ,ocis-
ties, omily dircctcrlDy soma ambitions leaders,
this sect forms cOrp0Tttj6D entirety distinct in
the mil st Of the French paoylc, whose powers
it usurps bv tyrannzi1- ofcr is representatiy es
and constituted authorities.
1t is i'll tdat boiv, ia Is public meetings, the
lore OF The laws - denounced - aristOcrtcy aud
their bTeTch ~ patriotism. Ttece the assissiiis
of Dcssiies recciY. their friu'npiIs. the crime,
of JOnrdan fin panegyrists. There the recital
of the massacre which has stainci The CITY All
Metz. has also been recet,e with jngcJa1L ;,c-
clanators. Have they Uocy.nc sacred because
the Emperor Leopold has prDum,nced their
aa:ne' And beca15e it is our highest dntv T.,
c IN ''at the forcig1erg who rn'ng ~ our do
nc,fic quarreJs, ara we at bertg to refrain
from teli1erigg our country from domestic ty-
r,snpy?
"O what Importance is il, 20 fhn fuifineut
NJ this hut, thlt strangers have TIER projects
and their coJnivaoce anl concert with our in
S,rfial foc'' Il is ], who isnrince to you this
~ 1.-THE jacUbiGe u J. who, without speak ING