In the most difficult situations, when the enemy was at the gates of Paris, I said to those governing:  “Your discussions are shameful, I can see but the enemy.  You tire me by squabbling in place of occupying yourselves with the safety of the Republic!  I repudiate you all as traitors to our country!  I place you all in the same line!” I said to them:  “What care I for my reputation!  Let France be free, tho my name were accurst!  What care I that I am called ‘a blood-drinker!’” Well, let us drink the blood of the enemies of humanity, if needful; but let us struggle, let us achieve freedom.  Some fear the departure of the commissioners may weaken one or the other section of this Convention.  Vain fears!  Carry your energy everywhere.  The pleasantest declaration will be to announce to the people that the terrible debt weighing upon them will be wrested from their enemies or that the rich will shortly have to pay it.  The national situation is cruel.  The representatives of value are no longer in equilibrium in the circulation.  The day of the workingman is lengthened beyond necessity.  A great corrective measure is necessary!  Conquerors of Holland reanimate in England the Republican party; let us advance, France, and we shall go glorified to posterity.  Achieve these grand destinies; no more debates, no more quarrels, and the fatherland is saved.

FOOTNOTE: 

[9] On the disasters on the frontier—­delivered in convention, March 10, 1793.

SONS OF HARVARD[10]

BY CHARLES DEVENS

The sons of Harvard who have served their country on field and flood, in deep thankfulness to Almighty God, who has covered their heads in the day of battle and permitted them to stand again in these ancient halls and under these leafy groves, sacred to so many memories of youth and learning, and in yet deeper thankfulness for the crowning mercy which has been vouchsafed in the complete triumph of our arms over rebellion, return home to-day.  Educated only in the arts of peace, unlearned in all that pertained especially to the science of war, the emergency of the hour threw upon them the necessity of grasping the sword.

Claiming only that they have striven to do their duty they come only to ask their share in the common joy and happiness which our victory has diffused and meet this imposing reception.  When they remember in whose presence they stand; that of all the great crowd of the sons of Harvard who are here to-day there is not one who has not contributed his utmost to the glorious consummation; that those who have been blessed with opulence have expended with the largest and most lavish hand in supplying the government with the sinews of war and sustaining everywhere the distrest upon whom the woes of war fell; that those less large in means altho not in heart have not failed to pour out most tenderly of time and care, of affection and love, in the thousand channels that have been opened; that the statesmen and legislators whose wise counsels and determined spirit have brought us thus far in safety and honor are here,—­would that their task were as completely done as ours!—­yet sure I am that in their hands “the pen will not lose by writing what the sword has won by fighting;” that the poets whose fiery lyrics roused us as when