The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1872-04-12
ROBESPIERRE.

A small, mean-looking man, weak
limbs, always palpitating with a ner-
vous shiver, and timid, irresolute
gait. his dress is faultlessly pre-
else. Head powdered, not q single
hair awry. Bright blue coat, button
ed tightly at the hips, but open
ed at the chest to display the
spotless wa stcoat; yellow breeches
", white stockings shoes and buckles:
This costume is never varied
except that the shoes are sometimes
exchanged for top boots. The face
is sharp and peaky; the forehead
projects over the temples, and is
compressed at each side like that of
o wild beast; eyes blue, deeply
sunken, with heavy lids, and a Ia
tent sparkle; nose small, straight,
at the nostrils; mouth
large; lips thin and paid land
compressed at the corners; chin
small and pointed complexion yell
low, Hvid, cadaverous. Habitual
expression grave, with half sinis-
ter smile. Every muscle of the face
working with ceaseless twitch.
Over the whole terrible expression
of concentrated purpose. When he
speaks his gestures are awkward,
his fingers work nervously; his
voice Is shril and discordant; when
agitated by rage or exultation it
sounds like the scream of a hyena.
After leaving college, Robespierre
became q student of Jurisprudence.
His studies completed, he returned
to Arras. His old friend, the bish-
op, procured him an superintendent
in the Criminal Court. He now
distinguished himself as q strenuous
advocate for the abolition of capt.
tai punishment; and not long after
he accepted the membership, being
compelled, in virtue OF his Office, to
condemn q criminal to death, he
was so painfully affected that, rath-
or than again undergo the same in
fiction, he chose 70 resign his Office.
Does not this read like the widest
fable2 1t was no hypocracy; for
what could he gain by il ? Only the
displeasure of his patrons. No; the
nature Of the man was utterly de-
void of physical courage, and all
such natures instinctiveiy shrink
from blood, which is, in their minds
inextricably associated with VIC.
lence-with that physical conten.
ton for which their nerves unfit
them. 1 have said they instructive
y shrink from blood yes, until
they taste it; then their appetite
grows Unsuitable for 1t.
Even as late as 1871, we find him
hotly maintaining his old wal
against capital punishment. On the
occasion of q motion of Lepelletiel
Parget for its abolition, he uttered
these remarkable words: ain thu
eyes of justice and mercy these
death scenes, which are got up viii
so much solemnity, are nothing les!
than base assassinations, solemn
crimes, committed not by individ.
uals, but by nations. and of which
EVERY individual must bear the re
sponsibility. To take sway from
man the possibility of, expatiatins
his Enisdeeds by repentance or b.
! acts of virtue, is, IN my eyes, ths
most horrible refinement of cruel
.tty.
i Listen to these passages from tn.
very speech in which he was urgini
upon the Assembly the death Of til
n1UKs Or lHyBClIy L SDI1OT- IN
penalty of death, but de
fhrcned King in the heart of ,
! Republic not yet cemented, neithe
prison or exile can give him harm
lIess existence. Il Is with regret
pronounce the fatal truth, Loui
. must perish because our countr
must live. vote for death
The mind Of this man had passel
through many phases since he re
fsigned his Office at Arras on q sim
! liar question. His was . siuggis
mEnd-its qualities developed Slow
IN, and each quality required . sepl
rats etfnaulant 10 become aetivl
He felt but little OF ambition the1
FOR he beheld no great object will
I'm his reach and remember he Pc.
Isessed no daring, no talent Tor q
Z lfmpracsicahIe; but little envy, Il
: his sssociations were medic re. Egg
: Itisn must have always been prom
tnenE, but it vas egotism OF idea
the worship OF "a ideal standard |
LOFTY principles which be had crea
ed Within, the worship 81 self ]
: 1.-The abstract But nov In fhe ye.
1fgI, the snpreme greataess vi
= = - 80 s. s@s 3 ~ 49, as7 z