Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-03-11
MIRABEAU.
Delivered M DUNAM of Alma College State
Contest held Hope College Holland March 9, 1905

is true that Charles Martel by pusing Saracen hordes
world Christianity that Patrick Henry touching the
natonasm invoked the doom of tyranny that Bis
welding together the petty German princpaies created
world power Lincoln Selling his opportunity
shaces from three million bondmen but the philosophical his
torian that such results inevitable if these
had been written horys pages For there is
continuity history which the individual aid check,
One choosing the hood-tide of
fortune gains neverdyng fame another endeavong to stem
the tide what the world calls failure. But him who
wills guide noer ends the progress OF time fame
failure the world her choicest homage Hu and Saw
onaroa religious eformer Kosciusko and Bolivar national lib
John Brown and Garrison, emancpato
completely successful lndvduasm received but little aid
from John Milton The immortal Gladstone could
Rule" from the British Parliament ct yet dream).
Unsuccessful herocs With the courage born of conviction each
faced hostile public and vaany camponed the principles die
aed by conscience Another such Honore Gabriel
Rqueti Compile de Mirabeau The hasty critic would write
above his life Failure but mature judgment reveals him
potent the establishment of French liberty.
The story of Count Mirabeau is of the sadde in the
annals OF human Heredity wrought
with his life Deformed mis- hapen, cursed birth by
irenzd father, the unfortunate babe reared
phe of unrest He inherited great mental vigor but with
given VIGOROUSLY passionate and that in
years people scorning him. said He Mirabeau they
all devils The father tyrannica the gwed breach
appeared widened daily Paenal love turned
hate ha devotion open hostility AT the fathers command
prisons yawned upon the but the dungeons gloom could
cool the hot blood of Mabeau Wilder and awess did
he grow until he became social epe fugitive from justice
Yet that outcas riendless and condemned die
appear the colossal figure in French history
To judge statesman you must first understand the cond
of tell the story of Mrabeaus
story of that complicated and decisive movement
the French Revolution So rapidly did the tumultious
rush by that to-day scarcely realize their
glorious political structure undermined and crumbng
fearful heritage of Louix XVI Weak king that he was
he truly pihed the faded spendor of that mighty empire
Scarcely he before the fame of discomfort spread
surging and roaring all the land Tyranny had bred
evabe Feudaism had made the people wild eudasm
driving justice from the land feudam that grind
ing the poor into wretched poverty feudasm that
making arsocracy supreme. ITO Arms To Ams The cry
of the irczd uncomfortable echoed and reechoed from
Calais Marsies An rsnce seemed mad! The revolution
lists would overthrow king and government and be freei Pitt
fu Frane You sowed dragOrs teeth will reap havoc
and destruction ~. M. e..
- Beside the three regular par es there fourth
party of that Mir beau Through all the chang
es of period Ne pre-emnen and truly
Basing his plans upon what ought to be- but
what he formed definite pocy-a policy all his 1t
conAccd sometimes with the program Of the revouonists
sometimes with that of the king yet all times he pes
all times consistent He would abolish both eudaism
and privilege and equality in France With logical fore
sight realized that while the revolution must be radical must
wha be conservative for unchecked would rush beyond linn
its, endangerng its accomplishments. Differing from all
others he would sage the monarchy constitutional monarchy
would secure liberty order French democracy could only
lead anarchy and lawessness
Politics were in turmoil Old systems crumbling;
old leaders passing Out OF the confusion and chaos
evolved systems and leaders The revolution
lists, led by Marat determined stamp out absousm Then
appeared leader already avoraby known by his writings
Maat radical awess Destructive his adversary
awabiding constructive Both ambitious the
glory seeker the other would blot with genius the record
of his early years. Mrabeau the would become Mira
Through the Estates General he would
step power So arsocra though he he made himself
representative of the people One month later when the Nation
al Assembly, upeedng the Estates General had determined
rule France he determined in saying 81 have the
presumption believe myself useful and necessary the
Assembly Such determination gained the mastery His
bodness of initiative capvad his eoquence swayd his far
sghednes convinced his genius dominated them The slave of
passion became the master of the king the leader OF the people
On Mabeau, the statesman, rested the fate of France
Mrabeau standing with policy of clear issues midway be-
absoum and radcasm, misunderstood by capri
cous passionate France Contending against feudasm he
seemed voluion Checking and tempering the struggle he
seemed monarchis Now with the peoplei Now with the
kngl No wonder the abbe appauded and then Kissed When
kings representative demanded the ssemby join the
clergy and nobility Mrabeau prang with the reply I'VE
here by command of the people, and will dpese only by force