Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-06-24
VII.


VII.
When the Girondist Ministry had de-
clared war on Austria and Dumouriez
had been checked In Belgium the popu-
Ter suspicion Of the court increased rap
idly until it was as great as the courts
fear of the people. When the King re-
fused to comply with the demand OF the
Assembly that he should dismiss his
foreign guards crisis was precipitated
and the Girondists resigned from the
ministry. The King formed ministry
of obscure Feuillants and sent secret
emmissary to Vienna to hasten the
march OF the invading armies.
The clamor against the court grew so
great that the Girondists formed an ALL
ance with the Jacobins for the over
throw of the monarchy. Lafayette was
thus left as almost the only prominent
and earnest supporter OF the Consutu-
ton. He might have maintained him.
self still had be been bred to the pen
instead Of TO the sword, but, knowing
little or nothing of how men are man
aged by persuasion when force Is out OF
the question, he accepted the radical
issue which the enemies OF the Constl-
tuition were attempting to force. DE
de fed the league between the Jacooins
and the Girondists and thought that he
would be able to use military force in
support OF the laws.
On July 20, 1892, the Jacobin leaders
raised a mob which forced the palace
and placed the red cap on the Kings
head, and Lafayette returned to Paris
and demanded punishment OF the ring
leaders of the mob. The Assembly
threatened him with punishment for
| leaving his troops without permission,
and, finding the court more hostile TO
him than ever, and nowhere any sup
mort either for the law or the Constitu-
! ton, he returned to his troops, prepared
10 defend France as best he could.
When, in pursuance Of the under
standing with the court, Prussia de-
clsred war on France, it was the end OF
the Constitutional party. The patriot
! ism OF the people became fury. In
! the insurrection Of the 10th OF August,
the mob, headed by the Marseilles bat
TALON, singing its psalm OF resistance TO
tyranny, was led by Danton 10 attack
| the Kings guard. The massacre OF the
Swiss followed, and the mob compelled
the Assembly to suspend the King.
Hearing that the Constitution had
been overthrown by the mob and that
the King was in prison, Lafayette
wished to march on Paris, but his army
would not follow him and he became
/ first a refugee and then q prisoner at
/ If fria n
Queen, whom, in spite OF her hostility 10
! him and her treachery TO the Constltu'
ton, he had served with such fidelity.
When the Assembly abolished the
Constitution and declared the Republic,
as it did on September 81, 1892, the eI-
perimeut of constitutional government,
| which never had the remotest chance OF
! success, opposed as it was by Marat on
| the one hand and Marie Antoinette on
the other, was officially declared q
| failure. And thus ended the political
career of Lafayette. Napoleon called
him a noodle" forced the Austrians
20 release him and took no notice OF him
when he opposed the Consulate and then
the Empire. During the time
France was dominated by Napoleon the
greatest Constitutionalist Of France
lived in retirement on his estate. He
was Vice President Of the National AS
| sembly Just before the battle OF Water
loo; was afterwards q member OF the
! Assembly from Meau1, andiin 1880 he
commanded the National GpRrd In the
revolution which substitute the con-
stitutional monarchy for thai 9f Charles
Y. But his career ended E1tact when
ne was obliged to abandon France to
the Jacobins. q
No matter what might be IL IN de-