The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-13


tho idea OF q national convention was
made the purpose OF the French lead
ers who were really inspired ny an
enthusiasm OF humanity. on Aug. 20
1892. the National Assembly conferred on
Paine the title OF French citizen. and he was
presently elected to tho Convention by three
different departments. tho votes being appar-
emily unanimous Ono of these departments.
Calais. sent n municipal officer to London to
entreat Paine's acceptance OF the seat. Paine
was so eager to meet the English Government
In court that he delayed his answer. But his
friends had reason to fear that his martyrdom
might be less mild than he anticipated. and
urged him to go to France Finally on Sept.
13. 1882. he was hurried off to Dover. cscap ping
by some twenty minutes tho officers instructed
to arrest him. Before leaving London. how
ever. Paine managed to have an interview
with tho American Minister. Pinknsy who
thought he could do good service in the Con-
vention.
The reception givon to Thomas Paine at
Calais was astonishing. As the packet en-
tered the port n salute was fred from the bat
terry and cheers sounded along tho shore. As
tho representative for Calais stepped on
French soil soldiers drow up in lne along his
PASSAGE the officers en- raced him. and lady
advanced requesting his permission TO rnt
the national cocknde in his hat. In the
town Paino was presented to tho munic.
ipalitr. embraced by zach member. and
addressed by tho Mayor. At the meeting
Of the Constitutional Society OF Calais no sat
beside the President. beneath the bust Of
Nirabenu md tho united colors OF France.
England and America. The next day there
WIS meeting in the church where saints
and madonnas looked down on the cytraordi-
nary Quaker who had become n savior Of So
cioty. In the evening. at tho theatre. box
was decorated For the Author OF the Rights
OF Man"
On Sept. II. 1902. pairo reached Paris. and
two dnys afterward tool; his seat in the Con-
vcnton. fortnight Inter he wua placed next
to SityHs at tho head OF the Committee TO
franc Constitution. lie would hnvo hecn
placed Mt tho head but for his inability to
speak French. The speeches which no made
in tho Convention were always translated by
another member. His want OF fnmilarity with
French did not. however. disable him for work
on the Committee to franc Constitution. for
at least four Of his fellow mcmbers under
stood Observation-Disclosures. Danton. BarrGre.
and Brissot.
1t is we'll known that Tnine tried to save the
life OF Louis XVI BY moving in the Convcn-
ton that he should be ju9icia!!y tried. His in
Ecnions plea made an impression on his fell
low members. but the delay which it involved
was fatal to it. Tho only expcdent left was to
work privately among tho members and
secure If possible majority that would he
content. having killed the King. to save tho
man and preserve him as hostage for the
good behavior of Europe. This was now
Pnnes idea. and no man ever toied more
49, 4, 4, a It,
crowned Louis XVI. 1t is noteworthy that at
tho very time that he was trying to save tho
representative OF monarchy in France. he was
arraiGnad in his absence in an English court
on charge OF treason. found guilty. and out
lawcd.
Considering the state OF mems minds in
Paris at the be ginning of ! 7!3 Mr. Conway well
says: What would knowledge OF the French
tongue have been worth to Paine. just then the
leading republican OF the world. and tie one
man sleeplessly seeking to save kings life
He could not plead with his enragod fellow re-
puhlcans. who at length overpowered even
Br!ssot. so far as to draw him into the fatal
plan Of votin. for the Kings death. coupled
with submission to the verdict Of the PEOPLE.
Paine saw that there was mt the moment no
people, but only an infurated clan" His own
proposal was that Louis XVI. should be held
other kings. and that when their war on
France had ceased he should be banished to
tho United States. This plan was rejected by
the Convention. which was dominated by fear
of tho Jacob!ns. but Paine persisted in his mer-
ciiul purpose. and, when his name was called.
cried out: Il vote for tho detention Of Louis
TIL the end OF the war. and after that for his per-
petual punishment" He managed to declare
his vote in French. and may have given courage
to others. for there was only n narrow majority
in favor O! the death penalty. Subsequently,.
when the question came up whether tho exc
cutlon OF tho King should lie delayed or should
take place in twenty -four hours. Paine made.
amid tho dcnunciations of the Jacobins. a pow
eriul plea for delay. but he was once more un-
successful.
Paine's efforts to save Louis offended tho
Mountain and brought him into grave danger
when that party acquired ascendancy. Christ
mas Day. 1872. was celebrated bvthe terrorist
BOURBON de rOise. with denupciaton OF
rainc. after which another member OF the
Convention moved the exclusion Of foreigners
from all public functions during the war. The
motion being passed. Paine WAS shut out Of
the Convention and brought under the law
against aliens OF hostile nations. He was ar
rested on Dec. ~. and on the following day
committed to prison. lie narrowly escaped
the Guiilotine. for on tho death OF Robes pierre
there was found among his papers, and laid
by committee before the Convention n
Demand that Thomas Paine be decreed Of
accusation for the interests OF America rs
much rs France" The committee. which was
composed Of Robospiorre's successful emo
mics. made strong point Of this sentence.
md added: why Thomas Paine more than
another7 Because he helped 70 establish the
liberty OF both worlds" After an imprison-
ment OF 3l5 days Paine was liberated and not
only was he restored to his seat in tho Com
vention. but pension was offered. which he
declined. He practically withdrew from ruN-
lie life In France. when. In October. 1870. the
Convention gave place to tho Directory.
1t was while Paino WAS expecting 'nprson
ment. and when he desraircd OF seeing real
lied his dream OF m international r"pGhl!r.
that no wrote tho third OF His famous books.
1.-THE Ago Of Reason" With regard to this
work, Mr.. Conway comedies that II is nj times
too harsh md militant. lie contends. how
ever that the common notion that the Age Of
Reason" nbounds in vul-ar.ty is duo TO n lack