Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-02-10
6eralo of the Qimes
RHODE ISL Err;
NEWPORT.
N0'fSyIIRl M1Rar' AND FLAMES X. Polk.

MARAT.
The history of the reign of Terror, in France,
assigns more bloody celebrity to Robespiere,
Danton and Marat than to any other of the
monsters who figured in that terrible drama.
When Robespiere was about being led to
execution, he asked for napkin to wipe away
the blood with which his mouth was filed, his
under-jaw having been shattered by pistol
shot in the struggle to secure him. A bloody
cloth was handed him, which he pushed aside
-" it is blood" said they, " it is what thou
likest."
During the fearful sway Of that fell triumvi-
rate, Marat edited political journal in Paris,
the columns of which absolutely howled for
blood On one occasion as he descended from
the tribune of the National Assembly where
he had as usual been belching forth his lying
accusations, and raving for slaughter, 1t was
moved by member that the tribune be puri-
fled of its pollution, before any other deputy be
allowed to ascend it.
The attrocious sentiments expressed IN the
Presidents late annual address, might lead a
believer in the transmigration of souls TO i'm
agine that the departed spirits Of Robespiere
his breast, and to act as his counselors III
wickedness.
Whilst that dread engine the guillotine, un-
ccasingly labored on by night and by day,
dealing its strokes of death with fearful regu-
larity, and minglng its own terrific shrieLmgs
with the groans of its victims, sacrificed TO
Robespiere's hate and revenge, that mocker of
humanity even then professed TO be tender of
human life, and both wrote and spoke against
the infiction of capital punishment.
Even Robcspiere at last grew sick of blood,
but James X. Polk, stepped in human gore
to the very lips, scizes the bloody cloth and
waving it over his perjurcd head, still howls
for more--morc blood ferociousy he yells-
more uitai blood. He too processes TO be ten
der of human life and a friend of peace He
who has murdered peace, and on whose head
will ever rest the primary guilt of every drop
OF DlO0u tnat mas HOWcu III lIlS ullndIONcu
war with Mexico 1t is true that he has
by stratagem involved Congress and the ma
ton in his crimes, but, though he may length
en- his lying sophistrles to ten thousand para
graphs, and repeat them again and again, un-
til bewildered in the mazes of his own false
hoods he himself almost believes them true !;
vet he will ever fail TO convince any person of
sound mind that he is not the plotter, the CON
triper and the sole responsible author of the war.
AS the ghosts of the tens of thousands Of his
slaughtered victims pass before him in fearful
array, their gaping wounds striking terror to
his guilty soul, in vain does he point to his sat
telites in Congress and with trembling lips ex-
claim" Shake not your CORY Locks at me--ye
cannot say did IT," The hand with which
he points betrays his words, it reeks to lleav-
en- with murders blood, which naught on earth
can hide or wash away and his name will go
down in his country's history, only, as that of
monster whose dcprarity Of heart is rivalled
by nothing on its pages but TIE JaisenesS Of has
tongue