Norwich bulletin., 1914-06-04
FAMOUS TRIALS
THE TRIAL OF DAYTON.

Danton's name stands pre- eminent as one of the better class of the French revelutionists, if any man be so called. At any rate to his name can not be linked those which send a feel ing of terror through the history of that period for their blood -thirstiness. It was because he lacked this quality that his place was taken by such men as Mirabeau, Robespierre and Marat, who more nearly met the views of the terrorists, the dominating element. Danton had the same desire at heart that had these leaders, but he believed that a revolution could be accomplished through much 1nilder methods than did the others. For a long time his magnetism and his ora tory held the people within his grasp, but finally the revolution grew to be greater than Danton. Conditions were quickly changing for the worst and he who would survive was compelled to keep up with the procession or be trampled in its path.
 Upon many occasions Danton had given wise council to his countrymen, and infused them with courage. Then. in the course of events, RobeSpierre and Danton came face to face as rivals for the leadership of Paris and France. Danton was reckless, generous and frank; on the other hand. Rebespierre was cold. severe, cautious and un- compromising. Feeling that the con-
 
 to his native town of Arcis, but not for long for his associates keenly felt his absence from the field of action.
 Shortly after returning to Arcis Dan- ton met Robespierre and was accused by him of having embedded the pub- lie money. He retorted by calling Robespierre a sanguinary tyrant. This dispute fixed his doom. His wife and friends urged him to flee. "Wither flee" answered Danton. If freed | dungeons for me elsewhere. One car- ries not his country with him at the sole of his shoes
 Danton heard there was a warrant for his arrest. but he said: They dare not: they dare not!" But he forgot that he had Robespierre the in flexible to deal with. On the night of the 21st of March, 1794, he was ar- rested, and was brought up for trial on the Ed of April.
 Upon entering the Luxembourg prison the first man to grasp Danton's hand was Thomas Paine, author of the i! Rights of Man." Paine was now a naturalized Frenchman and a member of the French national convention, and because he had voted against the death of Louis XIV. the Jacobins had cast him into prison, where he re- mained until the death of Robespierre brought his release.
 The trial Of Danton was a mockery of the forms of justice. St. Just the Jacobin, had read the accusation against him to the convention. and that body weakly voted his arrest. On the 2d, Sd, and 4th of April he was tried with other prisoners by a pack ed bench and packed jury. But so un- certain was the temper of the vast throng that filled the streets outside, so violently did Danton struggle to burst his bonds. that for moment 1t seemed as though the immense rever- beration of his voice, heard, 1t is said, even, across the Seine might have awakened the force of the people, as so often before, and overthrow the Jacobin rule.
 A hasty message to the committee of public safety-a nasty decree rush ed through the convention-and Dan- tons voice was quelled and judgment delivered before the accused had fin ished his defense.
 At the trial when Fouquier Tinvillo asked Danton his name and place of abode the prisoner said: My name is Danton, a name tolerably well known in the revolution. l am 35 years old. but my name shall live in the panth- con of history"
 In prison Dantop affected indiffer- ence. T have enjoyed my moments of existence well. I have made plenty of noise upon earth. I have tasted well mounted the scaffold from the cart in which he was conveyed to execution he was heard to say: "Oh. my, wife, my well beloved. shall never see thee more!'
 Danton's last words were to the headsman: You will show my head to the people-it is well worth show ing" Danton was executed on the 9th of April. 1794. Robespierres triumph was brief for his own head fell on the 18th of July.