Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-04-26

SO tilCk ana tnc gloom was so 1eeDly us
pcrsed by the chandeliers. All was sepul-
chral. The chair of the president even stood
on tomb, an antiqne structure of black
marble. The elevated stand, from which
the speakers generally addressed the assem-
bly,, had the strongest resemblance to a scat
fold, and behind it, covering the wall, were
suspended chains, and instruments of torture
of every horrd kind, used in the dungeons
of old times; and though placed there for
the sake of contrast with the mercies of
more enlightened age, yet enhancing the gen.
eral idea of scene of death.
1t required no addition to render the hall
Of the Jacobins fearful; but the meetings
were always held at night, often prolonged
through the whole night. Always stormy,
and often sanguinary, daggcrs were drawn
and pistols MISREPRESENTATION in the streets
sometimes followed bitter attacks on the
benches; and at this period, the mutual
wrath and terror of the factions had risen to
such height, that every meeting might be
only prelude to exile or the axe and the
deIiberation of this especial night must settle
the question whether the monarch or the Ja-
Goblin club was to ascend the scaliold. 1t
was the debate on the execution of the I'M
happy Louis XVI.
The arrival Of the crowd, among whom |.
had taken an unwilling seat, evidently gave
new spirits to the rcgicides the moment
was critical. Even in Jacobsen all were not
equally black, and the fear of the national
revulsion at so desperate deed startled ma
NY, who might not have been withheld by
feelings of humanity. The leaders had held
a secret consultation while the debate was
drawing on its slow length; and Danon's
old expcdinnt of" terror " was resolved on.
Ills emissarcs had been sent round Paris to
summon all his banditi; and the low cafes,
the Fauburg taverns, and every haunt Of vi
olence, and the very drunkenness Of crime,
had poured forth. The remnant of the Mar
srlIlcS-a gang of actual galley slaves, who
, had led the late massacre-tle paid assas-
sins of the Marais, and the sabreurs Of the
Royal Guard. who, after treason to their
king, had found profitable trade IN living on
the robbery and blood of the mobiles and
priests, formed this reinforcement and their
, entrance into the gallery was recognized by
IA clappng of hands from below. which they
: answered by roar, accompanied with sig
| niiicant sign of cashing their knives and sa-
, brcs.
Danton Immediately rushed into the Tri-
bune. had seen him before, on the fearful
+ night which prepared the attack on the pal
ace but he was then in the haste and ctfcc-
u ted savagencss of the rabble. lie now play
ed the part of IA leader of political sect !;
and the commencement of his address adop-
ted something Of the decorum ofpubic coun-
a ell.
In this there was an arifice for restless
as the club was, il still retained "A jealousy of
- the superior legislative rank Of the assembly
; "t national representatives., the Convention.
=, The forms of the Convention were strictly
-. initiated; and even those Jacnbins who usu-
+ ally led the drbatr, scrupnlou>lv wore the
, dress Of the best orders. RobrSpiere was
, deliberately blessed whenever he appeared
Il IL the Tribune, and even DAMON abandoned
, the caHaiVe costume for the time.
was struck with his snowy stature, his
u, bold forehead, and his commanding attitude
; AS he stood waving his hand over the multi
;. ,ude below, as If he waved a sceptre. Hi
appearance was received with genera
:, shout from the gallery, which he returned b,
one profound bow, and then stood erect, til
=, all sounds had sunk His powerful voice
then rang through the extent of the hail.
j. lie began with congratulating the people OF
y" their having relieved the Republic from it
external dangers. His language at first wa
moderate, and his recapitulation of the per
lis which must have befallen a conquere,
n counury,was sufficiently true and even touch
ing, but his tone soon changed, and ! saw
v. the true Jacobin. "What," he cried, " ar
k those perils to the horrors of domestic peril
es dy! What are the ravages on the frontier
S. 10 the poison and dagger at our lircsides 2
in What is the gallant death IN the field, to as
IS, sassinalion in cold blood Listen, fello,
H. citizens ;-there is at this hour plot deepe
ng laid for your destruction, than ever exis,e
i'm in the shallow heads of, or ever could be eS
lat ccuted bv,,hc coward hearts of their soldier,
Where Is that plot! In the slree,s7 NJ
= The courage of our brave patriots is as prot
nd against corruption as against fear" Tn
,o was followed by shout from the gallery
, a /" Is it in the Tuilleries No; there the n;
no lional sabre has cut down the tree whc
If. cast its deadly fruits among the naton.-
mo Where then is the focus of this plot-wher
he the gathering OF the storm that is to shah
,ad the batlements of the public--where tn
nv terrible deposite of combustibles which Il
err noble has gathered, the priest has piled, al
oh, the king has prepared to kindle Bra'
vas citizens, that plot is" he paused, al
md looking mysterlously round, while sen
er. deep as death pervaded the multitude the
est as if suddenly recovering himself, he thu
on dcred out" the Tempest !"
the No language can describe the shout or 1
itch scene that followed. The daring word W
me- now spoken which all anticipated; b
the which Danon alone had the desperate aud
the city to utter The gallery screamed, how
bile ed, roared, danced, ilourished their weapon
ore and sang the Marseilles and the Carmagno
hall The club below were scarcely less violt
If il in their demonstrations Of furious joy. Da
,ich ton had now accomplished his task but
ven vanity thirsled for additional applause, a
1ra- he entered into a catalogue of his services
nor Republicanlsm. In the midst of his Diet;
re- low but singulary clear voice was he;
9TH from the extremity of the hall