The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1854-05-11
Robespierre.

! s-. Robespierre.
Frequently, when stifly standing in his
olive colored coat, with fixed eye, contract
ed brow, and shrill voice, accompanied by
hard gestures, Robespierre was pleading
at the tribune for the peoples cause, Mira
beau, in the midst of whisperings and
mockerles, had been seen to contemplate
in pensive curiosity that man-palevi-
saged and strangely smiling, whose phys
iognomy breathed forth, as it were,
dreamy gentleness, in whom all things
spoke of a passion for order, and who ap-
peared full ofrespect for himself--so care
full was he of his attire, SO grave in his at
titude, SO studied in his speech. Who
might this new conner be, on whom linger-
ed thus presentiments of genius, and what
part was he to play in the revolution? He
was to demand justice for all men-for all,
without exception; he was to be the preach
er Of right. With him there was to be no
compromise, for is not truth ones Let no
party claim him-he is of the party of his
own convictions, that suhices At his frs.
step in the career where he was to leave
the trace of his blood, and a name accursed
he earned the surname of THE Lacorrupti-
Jle. AS simple advocate, honest people
quoted his integrity; as legislator, the
wicked feared him. Always ready to de.
fend the people, he knew not how to fatter
them; he had at once too much pride and
too much virtue. In the midst Of society
in disorder, he worshiped regulation. An
arcy he abhorred Popularity, to be earn
ed cynical habits and language. he despis-
ed He never concealed his disdain for ex-
travagancies in theory or action, Yet Ere.
ron admired him, Herbert respected him,
and he forced Murat to praise him. His
life was laborious, austere, his manners
did honor to his principles. Others among
known tribunes, might display a suspicious
pulance, sup up the light of golden chan
daliers, and intoxicate themselves with
wine and luxury.
He occupied, in the Rue Saintouge, a
wretched apartment, shared and half paid
for by companion of his youth. He
spent scarcely thirty sous for his meals,
went on foot where duty called him, and
out of his salary as. deputy, piously d.
minished by an annuity paid to his sister,
could not always set aside sufficient to
buy him coat. But ifthere are imper-
fections which an imperfect nature willing
ly covers with its sympathy, there are
weaknesses which we adore, and these
Robespierre had not. Something impen-
etrable enveloped his mind. His virtue,
like sickly star, shone without beam
ing. Even on the lips which commonly
opened only to exalt him, it seem ed as if
his presence checked light praises and ia
mlliar smiles When he spoke of mercy
he awakend fear. Yet, at Arras, where
he was born, childhood, we are assured,
had given evidence of frankness and of
charming tastes. Although already in
clined to serious meditations, laughter
even to tears, came easily to him; an ayiary
in those times formed his republic Eearly
an orphan he tenderly loved his brothers
and idolized his sisters; next to them came
his dear birds. Later, when he left the
College of Louis lie Grand, the doors of
which had been openedfor him by the affec-
ton, Of the Able de Waast, and where he
had Camille Desmoulins for fellow pupil
his thoughts began to turn toward love,
and took form in gallant verses. He en-
tered the society ofthe Rosatis, celebrated
the light songster of Vert Vert. in tone
worthy of his hero, and earned the aca-
demical crowns of his province. What
shall we add? The oath which MilleDes-
hortis swore to him, that she would never
be another's but only his-that oath of
love broken in absence-pIunged him in
70 prodi5ious and unaffected gricf.-Louis
Blunc.
@A geniue has invented a spv.plass
, of wonderful power. He said he looked
: through it at a third cousin and il hro,rbt