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


the bold ruf1ian, yet with visage which,
even at the distance, could observe had
lost its usual fiery hue, and turned clay color.
Who accuses me 2
Il y replied the voice, and | saw a tall
figure stalk up the length of the hall, and
stand at the foot of the tribune. Descend q!
was the only word which he spoke and
Danton, as if under spell, to my astonish-
ment, obeyed without a word, and came
down. The stranger took his place; none
knew his name and the raqidity and bold
ness of his assault suspended all in wonder
like my own. | can give but a most incom-
plete conception of the extraordinary elo-
quencc of this mysterious intruder. He
openly charged Danton with having con-
structed the whole conspiracy against the UNI
fortunate prisoners of September; with hav-
ing deceived the people by imaginary alarms
of the approach of the enemy {; with having
plundered the national treasury to pay the
assassins and, last and most deadly charge
of all, with having formed plan for Ma
tional Dictatorship, of which he himself was
10 be the first possessor. The charge was
sufficiently probable, aud was not now heard
for the first time. But the keenness and
fiery promptitude with which the speaker
poured the charge upon him, gave it new
aspect and | could see in the changing
physiognomes around me, that the grea, Ja-
Goblin was already in danger. He obviously
felt this himself, for starting up from the
bench to which lie had returned, he cried out,
or rather yelled,
Citizens, this man !hirsts for my blood
Am to be sacrificed Am to be exposed
to the daggers of assassins p But no an
swering shout now arose dead silence
rcgned all eyes were still turned on the
tribune. | saw Danton, after gaze of total
hel ,lessncss on all sides, throw up his hands
like drowning man, and stagger back to his
seat. Nothing could be more unfortunate
than his interruption for the speaker now
poured the renewed nvective, like stream
of molten iron, full on his personal character
and career.
Born beggar, your only hope of bread
was crime. Adopting the profession of an
advocate, your only conception of law was
chicanery. Coming to Paris, you took up
patriotism as trade. and turned the trade
into an imposlure. Trained to dependence,
you always hung on some one till he spnrn-
ed you. You licked the dust before Mira
beau; you betrayed him, and he ,rampled
on you ; you took refuge in the cavern of
Marat, until he found you too base for even
his base companonshp, and he, too, spurn-
ed you; you then chung to the skirts of Ro-
bespirre, and chung only TO ruin. Viper -
known only by your coil, and your polsons ;
like the original serpent, degraded even from
the brute into the reptile, you already feel
your sentence. | pronounce it before all
The nan TO whom you now cling will crush
you. Maximilan Robcspierre, is not your
heel already lifted up to tread out the life OF
this traitor. Macmillan Robespierre,' he
repeated with still more piercing sound, 'do
not speak the truth? Have | not stripped
the veil from your thoughsl Am | no,
looking on your hearth He then addressed
each of the Jacobin leaders in brief appeal
Billand Narennes, stand forth-do you not
long to drive the dagger into the bosom o
not sworn TO destroy him! Couihon, have
|, you not pronounced him perjured, pcrfdious
and unfit to live! St. Just, have you not il
your bosom the list of those who have pedg
ed themselves that Danton shall never b'
Dictator; that his grave shall be dug before
: he shall tread on the first step of the throne
that his ashes shall be scattered to the fuu
winds of heaven; that he shall never gorg
on France
! A hollow murmur, like an echo Of tn
= vaults beneath, repeated the concluding word,
>. The murmur had scarcely subsidized whe
, this extraordinary apparllon, tlnging aroun
him long white cloak, which he had hiher
to carried on his arm, and which in the dir
. light, gave him the look of one covered wit
shroud, cried out in voice of still deepe
y solennity, George Jacques Danton, 20
!" have this night pronounced the death Off you
y, king | now pronounce your own. BY tn
Il victims of the ooh of June--by the victim
of the 10Th of August--by the victims of Il,
y I'd of Septcmber--by the thousands who'
= your thirst of blood has slain--bv the tens
:; - thousands whom your treachery has sent ,
10 perish in foreign grave--by the million
whom the war which you have kindled wi
= lay in the field of slaughtcr--I cite you to al
=" pear before tribunal, where sits Judg
whom none can elude and none can DEFY
- Within a year and month, cite you
y, meet the spirits of your victims before Il
~ Throne of the Eternal
i'd He stopped not voice was heard /
% descended the steps of the Tribune, al
nd stalked slowly through the hall 4; not han
20 was raised against him. lie pursued his W;
N with as much calmness and security as if
n. had been IA supernatural visitani, until he v
nshed in the darkness.
he This singular occurrence threw compile
as damp on the regicidal ardor; and, as no O.
NJ, seemed inclined to noun, the Tribune, 4
Ia club would probably have broken up for I
VI night, when loud knocking at one of /
rs, gates, and the beating of drums, aroused
lie. drowsy sitters on the benches. The gale
mt was as much awake as ever but seemed @
m cupied with evident expectation of either
his new revolt, or a spectacle; pistols were
nd ken out to be new primed, and the poll
to and edges of knives duly examined.
all, The doors at length were thrown open,a
ard a crowd, one half Of whom appeared to be
the las, stage Of inloxicalon, and the oil