The Express. — 1848-06-01 (London, England)

BLANC.—I do not desire to &fend myself Ili as v.dual, but as a representative of the people, foe, in tut, wh .1 is demanded of )ou, is to commence an era of pets cu lion, to haul urate the epoch of the republic by the reign of terror which they reproach us eitis having desired to retsblish—we who comm. need by als.lishiug the punishment of death. Behold, to-day, our recompense. Not a drop of blood hu been shed for three months; not a single prosecution has been directed, but now hatred arouse itself,. and acts with violence. What ! reproach me with having wished to violate this sacred Assembly ; I, who have said to the people, " Here is the temple if your proper unereign,y." Let him who can say to the contrary rite, that I may tell him to his face he lies. I await with impatience the examinational my conduct. It will then be seen whether I did not • miler the previous evening with the co hors of the manifestation, and use my ehileaveto a to dissuade them,—and whether I did not tell them that mach a mandeatation would he highly duiperous  not only to the inter. eft of established order, but ilut to the interests of liberty. Yea, the interests of liberty ; fur I represent. d that the reactioxists would make good u-e of the affect of that manif.etutiun. (Murmurs.) A republicen, I dil not desire a manifeatation fatal to the republic. (lien.) Fatal ! I alight to rent that expreralon ; the republic is immortal, and 1 believe it can be as little affected by reaction as by an exerts of brute force. Is it necessary at present that I should return to the 19. h of May—a day for ever to he lamented. If Iso speak, be eestired it in not to 'avoid eith- r inapt isonmi rat or death I ill not foie either [M. Louie Blanc here became very aid mated.) Ido not fear dente is id he), and in thus opeaking I know what I say ; for I undertake to say that twtora bug the puni.htaent at death will be !vermeil. (Loud expressions of alLeent.) M. Le. Pegstucter —I beg of the Atmrmlily not to be car. tied away by than expreeions. I shall cull to order any one who forgets the dignity orbit position. M Lout* BLANC (turning toward some members): It has been asked by wheel the puni'hmeat of death is to he re-establishe God knows! I euppoee by the Assembly, for it risks its re-establiehment against itself ; but I do not hesitate to declare to the A-fembly, that the re-establishment of death will be for it a veritable suicide. No, the Amiably will out do it; it will he doue by others. But truss the way we are now going on, it is likely we shall not step till we have ruched the b atom tat that ebyfOl. if sou mould print et the republic, set • good example. Why niche an appeal to evil passion, ? A h ! rather pronounce wore of conciliation. I almost tremble tor my country, when I think of the bloody resentments which revoluti- to give rise to. History shows it. I have been accused of htvilig had recourse to ei dente. I might have used it, had I felt disp toed ; but I in ver will aid in its use against an auembly emanating from the people,— I who have hen all my life struggling for the people. If I have anything to reproach myself with, it is with having remained so long in ray place instead of taking part is that crowd. At length I molted to speak to the crowd; and Fee what has been made of my words—a pretest fur calumny. liowevi r, let that pass Urged to speck, in the name of the safety of the Ainenb:y, I ascended She bore of of the Penitent, and demanded of ham that my voice should be heard. The President engaged me in collet r-ation fir a tew momerve, and after-yards gave me full atithoril xi ep-ak. I then addressed them. No one heard use utter one wird that was not conciliatory. He who says to the colliery is a cowardly calumniator. What are, then. the arcuistions which they make against me ? Ca!umbies; and among there calumnies that of having wished to violate the Assembly ; 1 who reelect universal suffrage so highly; I, wi.o have spoken in favour of it all my life. This is what I wish to explain to you. Explain, recollect —I do not justify myself; I do not want to justify myself. It is not simply ss • man, but for my character es a journalist and an author, that I give this explanation. (Meer, hear )