The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-07-21

TUDE-THE SCHEME OF ST. ANDRE
,BARERE'S COUNTER PURPOSE.
After the declaration OF war agains
Austria, in the Spring of 1892, the might.
caldron so long simmering in France be
gan To bubble. IL was soon to boil ant
then to overflow, Scaiding everything
around il. The Committee had prac
tically decreed the abolition of the mon
archy and destruction OF the aristocracy
months before the arrest of the King ano
prescription of the mobiles.
Throughout the two years which we
have now briefly surveyed, and which
may for convenience be called the lorna
tive period of the French revolution. Paul
Jones, though in constant intercourse with
such leaders as Carnot, Barere, Cambon,
CoIlot, Billaud, Vefgniaud. Marion. Dan
ton, and even Marot, ST Andre. st. Just
and Robespierre. and in the complete
confidence of most of them, took no active
part in politics. When he wrote il was
on subjects concerning the Navy or the
foreign relations of France. In his con-
versations, as recorded by Capelie, he
steadily maintained that the true road 10
liberty for France lay. for some genera
tions at least, through constitutional
monarchy. When reminded of the sue
cessful establishment of purely republi
can institutions in America, he always
pointed out that the conditions were
different. that. the Americans were ac-
cuStomed to representative control and
local elf-goveTnment even as coloniSts,
that they were not prone to gusts of
popular passion like the French populace
and above all, were not surrounded as
France was By feudal Institutions in
neighborihg States. He maintained that
Louis XVI. was an enlightened and
liberal man; that, viewing him as that
kind OF man simply, irrespective OF his
kingfy station, he was better fitted than
any other Frenchman TO preside over
the destinieS of France, and that a con-
stitutonal monarchy, begun under his
benevolent auspices and perfected by the
growth of political wisdom among the
French masses, would in time completely
seive the problem of Liberation
He told them that If they dethroned and
killed Louis, they would Kill the best
friend the cause of French liberty had,
and they would kill him while he was in
the act OF rocking the cradle of French
liberty. Capelie has preserved but one of
these conversations in detail. IL seems
that the night after the arrest of the
Royal Family and their imprisonment in
the Temple, Barere, Marion and ST. Andre
called together at Jones's apartments in
TouTmon street. The conversation of
course turned on the great event of the
day. In the course of il Jones said sub
stantlally what has Just been related
= To this st. Andre replied that he could
understand his fJones's) feeling In the
matter. You are grateful to Louis, Ad-
mirai," he SAID, land not having shared
the wees OF France, you allow your per
sonal gratitude TO supersede your political
judgment. You are and long have been
known To all France as a brave and sue
cessful Knight OF Liberty tChevalier de la
Liberte), but believe you have not yet
signallzed your devotion to French liberty
by putting on the red cap. Even Louis
ma h1f
fening 10 the gr0tesQue incident of the
preceding 10th OF June, when the mob
forced their way into the Tuiileries and
Louis, To appease them, put on the red
cap and drank To the health of the Nation
from bottle.)
Jones was too much amused by this
sally of St: Andres TO get angry. but he
was nettled, and fetorted
lit rs true, st. Andre that I have not
worn the red cap. Ii is an article Of
apparel that have preferred TO leave IL
the ag-women of the Faubourg St. An
toinc and 10 "quelques mOntons degui-
sees en- lion daus la sale, la hautl" ia
few sheep masquerading as lions in the
Chamber up yonderi") Meaning, of course
the Chamber OF the Assembly
This IN turn nettled St. Andre, anC
made BaFefe and Marion laugh
But, Admiral, said St Andre "as Z
sailor you know we must have signals b.
day and beacon-iights by night. Snee
as.you may at the red cap, il is the sym
boil OF Liberty. IL is even the beacon -iigh
Of liberty in this night of tyranny from
which we are striving to emerge"
"Beacon-light is it. you say, st. Andre'
was the quick TeIoinder of Jones
"Beacon-light of libertyi Diablei Tn
way you are using il. you are making |
like one of those lse-beacons on Tn
Breton coast or the Dunes of Guienne /,
lure hopeless ships on to wreck. You ar
using II To lure poor France on TO disaste
and destruction.
Now, let me tell you, St. Andre. hav
seen nights at sea, and 1 have lighte
them up, and IN the name of liberty, too
But did not light up those nights wit
red caps. did it with cannon fiashe,
/ have signaiized my devotion to libert
by taking an English ~ with an Amer
can 81 in liberty's name. Now, If you wi
go and take an English ~ with a Frenc
p, when you come back will put on I'll
red cap and rejoice with you. But Il
then pardon me If say that it lies n
with you 10 invent new tests OF my d.
yotion TO the cause of liberty. And OF
word more, St. Andre; what / have dor
for liberty, which needs no telling her
I am ready and anxious to do again: b
/ want TO fight for real liberty; not for Il
sham liberty you conceive. When fig
for liberty l wish 10 shed the blood of
foes: not of its friendsi'
Ali this, says Capelle, was spoken wi
the air of persifage, and greatly anus
Marion and Barere; but il cut ST And
10 the quick and he soon withdre
when he was gose Barere said Robe
MERE and ST. just will hear a full rep
of this coIIoquy before St. AAire sleep.
Well said Jones. Il hope they "
enjoy ST. Andres report OF il as much
he did my original.
Had any other man in France said
much as Jones did he would have be
behind bars before morning it, indeed
head had not found its way to the basl
In a few days. But he was a priviie.
man In France under any regime
To complete our outline of the pOliti
eituation il Is necessary TO say that at
time now reached, August, 1882 events w
thickening rapidly Naturally the lead
of revolution grasped first at the arm
forces OF France. Fortunately the al
fell into the hands of Carnot, whose
ministration of il was supported by
doubt due the fact that France was
oyerrun by the forces Of absoiutism wit
"a wear from the declaration of the A
trian war the goth OF April 1892.
But il was different with the ma
This magnificent structure Jean Bon
Andre had long before marked for his o
Barere, who had led the crusade for
s,ruction of the monarchy and the q
tocracy. and who had supported the n
drastic measures for republicanizing
army halted at the navy. He was NJ
seaman and knew little about naval
tails. but for two years he had sat at
feet of Paul Jones as TO all matters {
nected with the navy, his quick mind
absorbed all the lessons offered il
was thoroughly imbued with the infall
sense OF that practical and trained :