Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-05-16
LAMARTlNE on THE RELIGION OF REVOLT
TI0NaRY MEN

IIONARG MEN.
know sigh when think of ttha hitherto the French
people have been least religious of all the nations H
rope because the idea of God, which fromIl
ihe evidences of nature and from the depth OF rcc,ibn
oehg the prooundes and wegh,ics idea of which human
Intelligence s capableand the French mind being the
apa' eut the most superficial the ightest the ref
ve ol all European raceths mind has the force and
necessary 10 carry far and long the greatest conce
lion OF the human understanding?
Is because our governments have always taken upon
themselves TO think fo believe for us and pray for
ls II because we are and have been military people sol
dier naton, led by kings heroes and ambitious men from
TO battlefield, making conquess and never keep
ing the ravaging, dazzling charming and corruptns Eu
rope; and bringing home the manners, vices bravery light
and mpety of the camp the freside of the people
know not but certain IL is that The nation has i'm
mensr progress make in serious thought she wishes
remain free II we look at the Characters compared as
CARDS religious sentiments of the great nations of Eurove
America Asia the advantage is for u.s. The great
men OF other countries live and die forgetting completely
The only idea for which it is worth living and dying-tey
live and die looking at the spectator or least poster
lily.
Open the history Of America the history of England ant
the history Of Frances read the great lives the great deaths
The great mnrtyrdoms the great words the hour when the
ruling thought of life reveals itself in the last words of d.
ing-and compare
Washington and franklin fought spoke suffered and dee.
ccnted their political life Of popularity n the ingruludc
OF glory, in the contempt OF their czsns-alwcys
the nam" OF God for whom they acted ard the herhor
America died coudng God the liberty Of the people and
his soul.
Sidney the young martyr OF patriotism guilty of moth
ing out mpa%nce and who died 10 expato his conntryr
dream OF liberty said 10 hs jaor- rejoice die inno-
cent the king victim resigned 10 the King OH
High, TO whom all life is due"
The Republicans of Cromwell only sough, the way @.
od even in the field Of battles Their politics wors their
ai- their reign prayer-their death PSALM One ncnrs
Sees feels that God was in oil the of these great
people.
But the sea- traverse In Mancha come to our me
open our annals and listen the last words of the
political actors OF the drama OF liberty One would
think that God was eclpsed from the SOUL TINT his
unknown in the language. History will have the air OF
atheist when she recounts puScrity these annhiatUns,
rather Than DEATH of celebrated in the greatest year OF
France. The victims only have God the tribune and lc
tors have none.
Look at Mrabeau on the bed Of death-"Crowu with
flowers" said he, "intoXicate with perfumes Let
die TO the sound Of delicious muscnot word Of Gud
OF his SOUL Sensual philosopher he desired only supreme
scnshnlsm last vonptuousness in his agony. Con;Cm
plate Madame Roland, the strong hearted Of the
roluon the that conveyed her DEATH Sho look
ed conemptuously besotted people who killed their
prophets and sbys Not glance towards heaven. Only
one word for the earth che quitting-"Oh, lberty
Approach the dungeon door OF the Gondins. Their last
night is banquet; the only hymn, the Marseiase!
Follow Camille Dcsmuulins to his execution A cool and
indecent pleasantly at the trial. and long mprecation
The road TO the guotne the last thoughts OF this
dying man his way TO the last tribunal
Hear Danton the platform OF the scaold, at the dis
tance OF line from God and eternity n hnve had
good time of it, let sleep" Then 10 The execution
cr-"you will show my head 10 the people-it worth
tronbe' His fah annhilation; his last sgh vanity Be-
hold the Frenchman of this latter age
What must think OF the religious sentiments OF free
people whose great figures thus march in procession
TO annihatlon and 10 whom that terrible ninistercah
itself recalls neither the threatening promises of God
The republic of these men without God has quickly
been stranded. The liberty, by much herosHi
and much genius has found in France conscience
10 shelter it. God TO avenge IT, people 10 defend il
against the atheism which has been called glory All ended
in soldier and aposate republicans ravescd into
courtiers An athcstic republcanism be heroic
When you errify it, it bends; when would buy it. cells
itself Who would take any heed! The people ungraeiu
and God non-existent! So finish atheist revolutions
Bien RepUblqle.