June 2, 1801
Maximillien Robespierre was more than just a legislator. He was a man of the people. He had been among the people for about a week now. He was taking some time off, along with some of his colleagues, from his duties in the National Assembly. "Oh, how has the revolution gone so wrong?" He asked himself. The mob in front of him was not at all like the Parisian mob in its heyday. Too many of its members had been sapped away. Some had had the wool pulled over their eyes by propaganda emphasizing the military victories in foreign lands. What nonsense! He himself had seen many suspicious men in recent days entering the city. Some had boots too fine, or jackets of a certain color. But it was clear that they were deserters, wearing the remnants of military uniforms and not clever enough to fully disguise themselves. What kind of triumphant army has mass desertions? He thought it plausible that the great victory they had won was nothing more than Girondin lies. Others had found employment under the bourgeoise and had been convinced to become good little Girondins. "By the Supreme Being!" thought Robespierre. "I will set this right." He would have to make sure not to use that language for the crowd gathered before him. Too many were Hebertists, with their ridiculous reason cult. At least Hebert was his ally. He still seethed about how that fool Danton had turned him down.
"I support your endeavor, but I fear I cannot take part," Danton had said. When he took power, he would purge Danton first, and then the Hebertists. The figure of Jean-Paul Marat scurrying up to him took him out of his thoughts. The man itched too much, and his skin disgusted Robespierre, but like Hebert, Robespierre relied on his support.
"I have some bad news," said Marat. "One of my men in the army, an officer, has informed me that several days ago Napoleon and part his army were ordered by President Brissot to speed up their movement and enter the city for a victory parade. They are due in a day. You know what this means."
Robespierre considered. "Have any of your men, the officers, had success with Napoleon?"
Marat shook his head. "Many have tried, but Napoleon refuses to even discuss anything regarding the national situation."
"Ah," said Robespierre. "A non-political man, I see. Well, I know what must be done. I will address the crowd." Robespierre and Marat quieted the mob and Robespierre stepped forward to speak. "Brave men, brothers, fellow Jacobins," he said. "Today I have become aware of a great threat to our republic. In twenty four hours General Napoleon Bonaparte will enter the city as a surprise, ahead of schedule. I have no doubt this is part of a Girondin coup to seize power using his army. We must rise up against this corrupt National Assembly before it is too late! If you do not join me, in two days we will all be bowing down to Emperor Brissot! Gather our allies and weapons, and meet me in front of the Salle du Manège in three hours! The Second French Revolution begins tonight!"
All the men chanted "Liberte! Egalite! Fraternite!" and left swiftly.
Maximillien Robespierre was more than just a legislator. He was a man of the people. He had been among the people for about a week now. He was taking some time off, along with some of his colleagues, from his duties in the National Assembly. "Oh, how has the revolution gone so wrong?" He asked himself. The mob in front of him was not at all like the Parisian mob in its heyday. Too many of its members had been sapped away. Some had had the wool pulled over their eyes by propaganda emphasizing the military victories in foreign lands. What nonsense! He himself had seen many suspicious men in recent days entering the city. Some had boots too fine, or jackets of a certain color. But it was clear that they were deserters, wearing the remnants of military uniforms and not clever enough to fully disguise themselves. What kind of triumphant army has mass desertions? He thought it plausible that the great victory they had won was nothing more than Girondin lies. Others had found employment under the bourgeoise and had been convinced to become good little Girondins. "By the Supreme Being!" thought Robespierre. "I will set this right." He would have to make sure not to use that language for the crowd gathered before him. Too many were Hebertists, with their ridiculous reason cult. At least Hebert was his ally. He still seethed about how that fool Danton had turned him down.
"I support your endeavor, but I fear I cannot take part," Danton had said. When he took power, he would purge Danton first, and then the Hebertists. The figure of Jean-Paul Marat scurrying up to him took him out of his thoughts. The man itched too much, and his skin disgusted Robespierre, but like Hebert, Robespierre relied on his support.
"I have some bad news," said Marat. "One of my men in the army, an officer, has informed me that several days ago Napoleon and part his army were ordered by President Brissot to speed up their movement and enter the city for a victory parade. They are due in a day. You know what this means."
Robespierre considered. "Have any of your men, the officers, had success with Napoleon?"
Marat shook his head. "Many have tried, but Napoleon refuses to even discuss anything regarding the national situation."
"Ah," said Robespierre. "A non-political man, I see. Well, I know what must be done. I will address the crowd." Robespierre and Marat quieted the mob and Robespierre stepped forward to speak. "Brave men, brothers, fellow Jacobins," he said. "Today I have become aware of a great threat to our republic. In twenty four hours General Napoleon Bonaparte will enter the city as a surprise, ahead of schedule. I have no doubt this is part of a Girondin coup to seize power using his army. We must rise up against this corrupt National Assembly before it is too late! If you do not join me, in two days we will all be bowing down to Emperor Brissot! Gather our allies and weapons, and meet me in front of the Salle du Manège in three hours! The Second French Revolution begins tonight!"
All the men chanted "Liberte! Egalite! Fraternite!" and left swiftly.