. . . . The conspirators
have agents, even among yourselves." The message is understood, and
the representatives now understand that if they do not transport, they
themselves will be deported. Therefore, "about fourteen or fifteen
stand up for the decree, while seven are against it; the rest remain
motionless:" it is thus that the decree to save the Constitution is
freely and legally passed. Four years before this a similar decree
had passed to expel the Girondists, in just the same manner, with the
exception that, at that time, the Mountain made use of the populace,
while now the army is employed; but save the difference in the
figurants, the performance is simply a repetition of the same drama
that was played on the 2nd of June, and is now again played on the
18th of Fructidor.[74]
VI. The Directory.
Dictatorship of the Directory. - Its new prerogatives. - Purge of
the Legislative Corps.- Purification of the administrative and
judicial authorities. - Military commissions in the provinces. -
Suppression of newspapers. - The right of voting reserved to Jacobins
alone. - Despotism of the Directory. - Revival of Terror. -
Transportation substituted for the guillotine.
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