"
V.
Official Jacobin organs.- Reports by Saint-Just are Bar?re. -
Quality of reports and reporters.
Thus do they march along during twelve months, goaded on by the two
sharp thongs of theory and fear, traversing the red pool which they
have created, and which is daily becoming deeper and deeper, all
together and united, neither of them daring to separate from the
group, and each spattered with the blood thrown in his face by the
others' feet. It is not long before their eyesight fails them; they
no longer see their way, while the degradation of their language
betrays the stupor of their intellect. - When a government brings to
the tribune and moves the enactment of important laws, it confronts
the nation, faces Europe, and takes a historical position. If it
cares for its own honor it will select reporters of bills that are not
unworthy, and instruct them to support these with available arguments,
as closely reasoned out as possible; the bill, discussed and adopted
in full council, will show the measure of its capacity, the
information it possesses and its common-sense.
To estimate all this, read the bills put forth in the name of the
Committee; weigh the preambles, remark the tone, listen to the two
reporters usually chosen, Saint-Just, who draws up the acts of
proscription, special or general, and Bar?re, who draws up all acts
indifferently, but particularly military announcements and decrees
against the foreigner; never did public personages, addressing France
and posterity, use such irrational arguments and state falsehoods with
greater impudence.
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