Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1863-02-20
4 popular STORY.
EXECUTION OF THE GIRONOlSTS.
BY JOHN s. C. ABBOTT.

During the progress of the French
Revolution there were two parties which
arose and, for long time, contested the
supremacy-tte Girondists and the ia
cobins. The mob of Paris was soon en-
tirely at the disposal of the Jacobins.
and sustained them in the most atrocious
measures. 1--WE must" said Marat, one
Of the leaders of the Jacobins, strike
terror into the hearts of our foes. 1t is
our only safety" The GirJndiets at
tempted to arrest the progress of the
frightful massacTes in which the Jaco-
bins were engaging. They thus exposed
themselves to the dangerous charge of
being in sympathy with the aristocrats.
The strife between the two parties, which
ensued-a strife involving life or death
was one of the most terrible recorded in
history.
Madame Roland was, one evening,
urging Vergniaud to rally the Girondist
party, at every hazard. to arrest the mas
sacres. The only hope Of France, "
said she, is in the sacredness of law.
This atrocious carnage causes thousands
of bosoms to thrill with horror. All the
wise and good in France, and in the
world. will rise to sustain those who ex-
pose their own hearts as a barrier to ar
rest such enormities."
"Of what avail" was the sad reply
of Verguaud, " can such exertions be
The assassins are supported by all the
power Of the street. Such conflict
must necessarily terminate in a street
| fight. The cannon are with our foes. -
The most prominent of the friends OF
order are massacred-terror will restrain
the rest. We shall only provoke our
own destruction"
For several days the strife ragged in
the Convention, with the utmost intensl-
ty, between the Girondists and the ia
collins The party which could obtain
the majority would surely consign the
other to the scaflold. NJ Roland, the
Giroudist Minister Of the Interior, was
man of great power, but Madame Ro-
land, with brilliance Of genius seldom
surpassed prepared for him his speeches
in the Convention. France recognized
her marvellous abilities; the one party
regarded her with alteration, and the 9TH
err with hate. Probably never before, in
the history Of the world, has woman
occupied such u position. 1t soon be-
came evident that the rage Of the Jaco.
bins would descend upon Madame Ro-
land, and she was urged to escape FROM
Paris. The heroic woman replied
-" am ashamed to resort TO any such
expedent. will neither disguise my
self nor make any attempt at secret es-
cape. Ny enemies may find me always
in my place. If am assassinated it
shall be in my own home. | owe my
country an example of frmness, and |
will give it."
She remained in Poris, and soon per
ished by the guillotine. The convention
consisted Of eight hundred members
twenty-five Of the most illustrious men
Of France were considered leaders Of the
Girondss. The Jacobins accused them
of treason, and, overawing the conven-
ton by the mob, carried the accusation,
aud condemned them TO death. 1t was
then voted that all Paris should be ilu-
minated in view of this triumph Of the
people. At midnight the whole eonven-
ton, in procession, traversed the brill
| amt streets, leading, to grace their tri-
umph, the doomed Groudsts. They
we're all then consigned to the Concier-
gerie, there to await the fnal trial. Sum
mer came and went while these illusth-
Gus men fingered in their dungeons.
With fortitude, the record Of which has
ennobled their memories, they struggled