The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1865-12-09
Mlistellarle ns.
Execution of the Girondists.
BY JOHN s. C. ABBOTT.


During the progress Of the French Rev
clnuon, there were two parties which
arose, and for long time contested for the
supremacy-tiirOnd and JacObins.-
The mob was at the disposal of the JacO
bins and sustained them in their most afro.
cious measures. I'VE must" said Marat.
one of the leaders of the Jacobns. strike
into the hearts of our foes. Ii is our enly
safety The Girondists attempted to ar
rest the progress of the frightful massacres
in which the Jacobins we're engaged -
They thus exposed themselves to the dan
gerous charge of being in sympathy with
the aristocrats. The strife which ensued,
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 massacres.-
The only hope of France, said she. is in
the sacredness Of the 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 expose their own hearts
as the barrier to arrest such enormities.'
'Of what avail was the sad reply of Yer
gniaud, can such exeTtions be ? The as
sassins are supported by all the power of
the street. Such conflict must necessa-
rly terminate in street fight. The cannon
are with our foes. The prominent of the
friends of order 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 intensity, be-
tween the Girondists and the Jacobins.
The party which could obtain the major
ity would surely consign the other to the
scaffold. M. Roland, the Girondst Min
ister of the Interior, was man of great
power, but Madame Roland with brillian-
cy of genious seldom surpassed, prepared
for him his speeches in the convention
France recognized her marvellous abilities !;
the one party regarded her with alteration,
and the other with hate. Probably never
before in the history of the world has q
woman occupied such position. 1t soon
became evident that the rage Of the Jaco-
bins would descend upon Madame Roland,
and she was urged to escape from Paris
| The heroic woman replied
| i am ashamed to resort to any expedi-
ent. ! will neither disguise myself nor
| make any attempt at secret escape. My
enemies may always find me in my place.
owe my country an example of frmness,
and will give it, r., @
| She remained in Paris. and soon perish
| ed upon the guilotine. The Convention
consisted Of eight hundred men. Twenty
one Of the most illustrious men Of France
were considered leaders of the Girondists.
| The Jacobins accused them Of treason. and
overawing the members of the Convention
| by mob, carried the accusation, and con-
demned them to DEATH 1t was then voted
| that all Paris should be illuminated in view
of the triumph of the people. At midnight
the whole Convention, in procession, ira
versed the brilliant streets, leading, to
grace their triumph, the doomed Giron-
dists. They were all then consigned to the
Conciergerie, there to await the final trial.
/ Summer came and went, while illustrious
men fingered in their dungeons. With
fortitude, the record Of which has enbalmed
Istheir memories. they struggled to sustain
each other TO meet that fate which they
knew could not be doubtful.
AT length the hour ofinal triumph came.
With the most imposing military array Of
infantry, cavalry artillery, to guard against
the possibility Of any counter revolution.
the prisoners were conducted in long
procession two by two, tO the judgment
bar. 1t was the Both Of October. 1893
At eleven clock at night the verdict was
brought in, aud they we're doomrd to be
led the next morning to the gulllotine.-..
AS the sentence was pronounced, one OF
the Grondists. Valane, plunged his dagger
to his heart and fell lifeIess to, the aoOr.--l
Another in the delirIum of enthusiasm.
shouted This is the most glorious day OF
my life.' 1t was midnight when the VIC
tins were conducted back to the Concier
gerie. AS they marched along. their voices
bursted into the Marsaillea Hymn, 10 tones