The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-04-22
History Repeats Itself:

1lSGOG 0VP0cSoS @oSS'
Ir revolutionary France, in 1892, an
execative cbiet magistrate was TO be got
ten id of. This was not attempted snd-
denly, but moved to by few decisive
steps, chief among which were the MUIR
der of the Kings body-gusrd on the 10Th
of August, and his arrest and imprson-
ment in Paris. These acts were insLigated
and supported by the Jacobin LEADERS,
Danton, Marat, Robespierre, and Saint
Just. The convention was. nomlnally
under the control of the Grondists, WHO
had majority of the deputes-noderato
men, but timid-and who preferred to ac-
ouicscc in the commission OF the most
monstrous crimes rather than incur the
charge of incivism Hence, when the
atrocities o! the 10th of August was
brought before the convention: they re-
fused to act upon it. but gave it q mega
tive acquicscence by passing to the orders
of the day. On this Saint Just moved
tile immediate execution OF the king.
"What ayalIs," said I've, the ceremony OF
a judicial trial. The cannon which made
IL breach in Tuieries, the unanimous
shout Of the pcoplco the lUtll of August,
have come in the place OF all otler solemni-
ties. The convention has no further
power to inquire; its sole duty is to pro-
nounce, or rather to confirm and execute
the doom7of the sovereign people" The
timid Girondists, under the control ofthe
fierce mobby which they were surrounded,
.arraigned the tutcd monarch and entered
upon his trial. The majority, unprepared
for tho. final act OF regcide, hesitated,
when Robespierre,, Selling the critical
moment, addressed the convention. "One
party" said he, must be clearly guilty
either the King, or the convention who
have ratified the acts of the insurgent
people. If you have dethroned an nno-
yr:,i and legal monarch, whatar you but
traitors? Why sit you here? Why not
hasten to the temple, set Louis at liberty
install him again in the Tnileries. and beg
OH your knees for q pardon you have not
=mei5ted? But If you have i'm the great
popular act..whcll you have ratified, only
approved Of The deposition of tyrant,
bring him to the bar and demand u reck-
oning for his crime
The timid Girondists quailcd beneath
the deaunciation Of the fierce Jacobin, and
executed his mandate. Louis vas be-
headed by their vote and with their ac-
quicsccnce. They were urged forward
step by step. until they found resistance
impossible, and were ut last driven to /;
commission Of crime which their very
souls abhorred.
Now see how history repeats itself
We have in 1868 an Executive Chief
Magistrate 10 depose. and Il Congress as
absolute as was the national convention
Of l792-ma1c up like that of mon, some
fierce and reckless, others disposed to be
considcrate and conscientious. In bodies
so composed, no one can doubt who will
lcad-uways the most violent and un-
scrupulous-those who hesitate at no act,
however to common minds, it may ap-
pear atlucions. We have mon as bold and
vindictiye and sagacionsas the revolutions
.aiy convention could boast; they have the
same object to accomplisll-lh dcstruc-
ton of the Executive Chief Magistrate,
and the assumption of executive power.
Tho decisive act to be performed differs
only according to the spirit of the age
the steps preparatory to both were the
same.
With us it was found necessary to lead
on, step by step, and commit, by votes
and resolutions, those who have 81 linyer-
ing regard for constitution and law, and
who urc especially suspected OF retaining
some regard for their judicial oaths. AT
ter duo preliminary preparation. just ut
the opp rtune moment hen he found the
situation exactly as Robcspierre found it
.onsthe occasion referred to, Stevens, the
fcrcest and bol,lcst OF the impoachers, is
reported to have shaken his finger BY way
OF menace, and to have spoken as follows,
touching an article which lie framed and
presented:
Let mo sec the recrcant who dare-
tread back upon his steps aud vote on the
other side! Now. then. let him who can
expect to get out on the only ground left,
if my article is adopted. Let him hope,
who darcs To hope, that SO high u body,
as that Senate will bctray It's trust, will
forget its own act, wil!-trcad back it's own
action, will disgrace itself III the face OF
tho nation. Point me out one who darrs
10 it, aud yon show me one who darcs nc
regurdt us infamous by postcrity. What
chance, then, has Andrew johnson will,
an article in which WAS left Quito give
him loop hole? You shy, how fair we
are. What chance has Andrew Johnson
if that article be inserted? Unfortunate
man. thus surrounded hampercd tangled
in the meshcs Of his own wicSetlness (!
Unfortunate, unhappy man, behold your
doom y
No one Gun read these two extracts
without feeling that the two orators were
moved by Il kindred spirit; and while in
fairness we mustadmit that our American
orator is far behind his French prototype
i'm lnnic. we nay place him as much in