Chapter 2.1.IV.

Journalism.

As for Constitutionalism, with its National Guards, it is doing what it can; and has enough to do:  it must, as ever, with one hand wave persuasively, repressing Patriotism; and keep the other clenched to menace Royalty plotters.  A most delicate task; requiring tact.

Thus, if People’s-friend Marat has to-day his writ of ’prise de corps, or seizure of body,’ served on him, and dives out of sight, tomorrow he is left at large; or is even encouraged, as a sort of bandog whose baying may be useful.  President Danton, in open Hall, with reverberating voice, declares that, in a case like Marat’s, “force may be resisted by force.”  Whereupon the Chatelet serves Danton also with a writ;—­which, however, as the whole Cordeliers District responds to it, what Constable will be prompt to execute?  Twice more, on new occasions, does the Chatelet launch its writ; and twice more in vain:  the body of Danton cannot be seized by Chatelet; he unseized, should he even fly for a season, shall behold the Chatelet itself flung into limbo.

Municipality and Brissot, meanwhile, are far on with their Municipal Constitution.  The Sixty Districts shall become Forty-eight Sections; much shall be adjusted, and Paris have its Constitution.  A Constitution wholly Elective; as indeed all French Government shall and must be.  And yet, one fatal element has been introduced:  that of citoyen actif.  No man who does not pay the marc d’argent, or yearly tax equal to three days’ labour, shall be other than a passive citizen:  not the slightest vote for him; were he acting, all the year round, with sledge hammer, with forest-levelling axe!  Unheard of! cry Patriot Journals.  Yes truly, my Patriot Friends, if Liberty, the passion and prayer of all men’s souls, means Liberty to send your fifty-thousandth part of a new Tongue-fencer into National Debating-club, then, be the gods witness, ye are hardly entreated.  Oh, if in National Palaver (as the Africans name it), such blessedness is verily found, what tyrant would deny it to Son of Adam!  Nay, might there not be a Female Parliament too, with ’screams from the Opposition benches,’ and ’the honourable Member borne out in hysterics?’ To a Children’s Parliament would I gladly consent; or even lower if ye wished it.  Beloved Brothers!  Liberty, one might fear, is actually, as the ancient wise men said, of Heaven.  On this Earth, where, thinks the enlightened public, did a brave little Dame de Staal (not Necker’s Daughter, but a far shrewder than she) find the nearest approach to Liberty?  After mature computation, cool as Dilworth’s, her answer is, In the Bastille. (See De Staal:  Memoires (Paris, 1821), i. 169-280.) “Of Heaven?” answer many, asking.  Wo that they should ask; for that is the very misery!  “Of Heaven” means much; share in the National Palaver it may, or may as probably not mean.