The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-02-01

lon.
Comrades he said, in his great rsugh
voice, " / need not say ! am no friend to the
present order Of things, and If change de-
pends upon the removal of Citizen Louis Bo-
naparte. then by all means let us remove him.
But | want answer to one question intend
+, ont and think have right to demand it.
Who placed Citizen Bonsparte whore he il 2
Citizen brother Rousslon tells us it was the
vote of the Red Republican party. / think it
was. too - a certain extent But if so, and he
owes his success to us in any manner, who was
il advised the Reds to vote for him? Will
Citizen Roussillon answer that?S
Roussillon's eyes cleaned with angry FIRE, to
find himself thus suddenly called to account,
aud the sensation which the question seemed
r. create augmented his wrath.
Why dost thou ask?" demanded he. in
peremptory tone, and with black frown on his
brow.
Answer, answer exclaimed several voices.
Well suppose did advise it." retorted he,
deGantly. "what then?"
Only that on thee rests the responsibility
of having counselled us to vote for man who
has betrayed the Red Republic" replied Fou-
ner
True, that is true" said the voices
Roussillons lips quivered with rage and he
clenched his hand hard, as he pressed it to his
breast but he maintained resolute attitude,
Notwithstanding, and spoke in a firm voice:
The reasons gave at the time were salts
factory he said; "and do not recognise the
right assumed by Citizen Fourier to call me to
account now -
Satisfactory to whom ?" interrupted Bau-
dom.
ITO those, at least, who voted as advised y
responded Roussillon.
81 was not one of them," calculated Bau-
doin.
Nor H. said Fourier
"NOr |" chimed in many others.
" Is this conspiracy 2" shouted Rousslon,
"and against me? demand an instant expla-
nation at the hands Of Citizens Baudon and
Fourier
The silence was complete. Every man
seemed to be holding his breath, watching the
result of this unloOked-for contest. Fourier
took upon himself to break the pause.
Citizen Roussillon," he said, we are all
concerned for the welfare of the Red Repub-
lie; and We have all bound ourselves by a sol
emn oath to protect it; to sacrifice our lives
IN its defence, and even the lives of those
whom we may have reason to know are play
ing IT false. Thou vert one of the strongest
opponents of Citizen Bonaparte, until certain
night, not so long ago, whom he came here =
The speaker was interrupted by a general
exclamation Of astonishment and many were
the fierce eyes directed upon Roussillon. Fou-
rier resumed:
Yes. here How he obtained his introduc-
tiOn, matters not But here he has been, and
one of our secrets is in his keeping. 1t is
true he took the oath, but he may at any mo-
ment perjure himself, and destroy us. Com
rades, we stand on u mine, and Citizen Bona
la ais fbar teh hn Va
mast preserve ourselves, that ia clear; and
am about to show how that may be done, and
at the same time afford Citizen Roussillon an
opportunity of proving his fidelity to tho Red
Kepubhci for here, in presence of you all, /
declare him to be suspected -
Rousson did not give him time TO complete
the sentence, but darling an angry glance
around, and at the speaker, shouted:
Suspected! of what? 2"
Treason to the Red Republic continued
Fourier Here are the proofs. On the night
IN question, Citizen Roussillon, thou vert seen
TO converse aside with Citizen Bonaparte. That
alone may not have been a suspicious circum-
stance but since that time thou hast been seen
at the Elysee; thou hast been there. Wilt
thou deny it?'
4" / do not intend to deny it, answered Rous-
slon, with forced calmness.
He confessesi He confesses !" exclaimed
the voices again.
81 repeat, then, Citizen Roussillon," resumed
Fourier, " that this fact proves thee to be deal
ing falsely by US. | will not demand to know
my reasons for acting thou hast, but will
put thy hdelity TO the test. Wilt thou abide
it,"
Name the conditions" replied the artist,
and will answer ves, or no. Z"
Thou hast declared Citizen Bonaparte to
10 traitor to the Red Republic, pursued Fou-
Fer. Thou hast said he must die. What
'ay you comrades p
The oath Death to those who betray us
lie must die y was the unanimous response.
hen ! propose that he should die by the
n"Hd OF citizen Roussillon," continued Fou-
Her. 9" Thy answer"
>, Perfectly collected now, but deadly pale,
hou'sllIos remained unmoved, until the muir
iHur Oh voices, uniting in approval of this pro-
po'al had subsidized Then he said;
Comrades, when advised our party to vote
Tor citizen Bonaparte, / had good reasons for
GIVING that advice. / had, too, good reasons
Tor going to the Elysee. What if / went there
10 revenge the Red Republic ?"
Then, interrupted Baudoin, "thou canst
not afford the Red Republic better proof of
Thy hdeity than by pursuing thy purpose
Another murmur OF appreciation.
agree" replied Roussllon; "but on one
condition. | am not alone in my treason, if
treason it be, of which | stand accused. One
OF our number, who has been forced to attend
Tins evening, is suspected of insincerity to our
canse. Let him abide the same test"
-" am the man thou refers to, Citizen Rous-
nllon,' exclaimed young artisan, suddenly
rising Il will not shrink from the conse-
4uences of having become ono of your num-
Der. But J claim condition. too. If | abide
the test, will that be a satisfactory proof of my
hdety to tho Red Republic?"
les! yes!" responded the many voices.
And may |, in such case, withdraw from
!0n, 1t l renew only that part of our oath
winch nnds me TO be faithful to the Red Re-
pubhc?n
For what reasons 2" asked several.
because, though / am Republican, and of
your color" responded the young man, boldly,
DO not approve of your mode of dealing with
our opponents. Disguise the act under what
ever name you may, the one we are contem-
Pla,hg is assassination. Having taken our
oah' will abide the consequences; and as my
'incerty is suspected, / will also abide the test
you propose. But having done that, and fur
hl'hed proofs Of my fidelity to our cause, de-
mans the right of honorably Withdrawing after
Ii was Paul who thus addressed the band of
cohsprators. His open confession of senti-
men" aud manly bearing produced visible
IMPRESSION, and many of his comrades shook
nm by the hand. Baudoin and Fourier con.
erred apart, whilst Roussillon looked on, I'M
moved At length, Fourier said:
OnIZen Paul, thou hast spoken like true
wan wan We will take counsel of our comrades.
, "na' say you, friends? Shall we accept the
fhpo.al OF Citizen Paul? Hold mp hands,
'nS .re Who approve"
The shoU nr .