The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1854-06-07
Dasonal Skettbfs.
ROBESPIERRE.

Frequently, when stifHy standing in
his olive-colored coat, with fixed eye,
contracted brow, and shrill voice, accom-
panied by hard gestures, Robespierre
was pleading at the tribune for the
peoples cause. Mirabeau, in the midst
Of whisperings and mockeries, had been
seen to contemplate in pensive curiosity
that man-pale-visaged and strangely
smiling, whose physiognomy breathed
forth, as it were, a dream of gentleness,
in whom all things spoke of a passion for
order, and who appeared full of respect
for himself-so careful was he of his
attire, so grave in his speech. Who
might this new conner be, ON whom lin
gered thus the 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 preacher of right.
With him there was to be no compro-
mise; for is not truth one? Let no
party claim him he is of the party of
his own convictions: that sufhces. At
his first step in the career where he was
to leave the trace of his blood and a
AdI4C VI luz LICCOII cDCCCCC- Ao q
simple advocate, honest people quoted
his integrity; a legislator, b wicked
feared him. Always ready to defend
the people, he knew not how to hatter
them; he had at once too much pride
and too much virtue. In the midst of
a society in disorder, he worshipped
regulation. Anarchy he abhorred. Po-
pufarity, to be earned by cynical habits
and language, he despised. He never
concealed his disdain for ~extravagances
in theory or action. Yet Freron adj
mired him. Herbert respected him,
and he forced Marat to praise him. His
life was laborious, austere: his manners
did honor to his principles. Others,
among known tribunes, might display a
suspicious opulence, sup by the light of
golden chandeliers, and intoxicate them
selves with wine and luxury. He oc-
cupied, in the Rue S%aintonge, a
wretched apartment, shared and half
paid for by q companion of his youth
He spent scarcely thirty sou for his
meals, went on foot where duty called
him, and out of his salary as deputy,
pioGsly diminished by an annuity paid to
his sister, could not always set aside
sufficient to buy him a coat. But nthere
are imperfections which an imperfect
nature willingly covers with Its sympa-
thy, there are weaknesses which we
adore, and these Robespierre had not.
Something ~impenetrable enveloped
his mind. His virtue, like a sickly
star, shone without beaming. Even on
the lips which commonly opened only to
exalt him, it seemed as if his presence
checked light praises and familiar smiles.
When he spoke of mercy, he awakened
fear. Yet, at Arras where he was born,
his childhood, we are assured, had
given evidence of frank and of charm
ing tastes. Although already inclined
to serious meditations, laughter, even
to tears, came easily to him; an aviary
in those times formed his republic
Early 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
opened for him by the affection of the
Able de WAIST, and where he had Ca
mile Desmoulins for fellow-pupil, his
thoughts began to turn towards love,
and took form in gallant verses. He
entered the society of the Roissat, cele-
brated the light songaster of Vert
Vert, in a ton worthy of his hero,
and earned the academical crowns eff
his province. What shall we add ?
The oath which Mile Deshortis swore
to him, that she would never be anoth-
er's, but only his-that oath of love
broken in absence-plunged him into
and unaffected grief.
LOUIS BLANC.