In all that we do, whether in the struggle or after it, it is necessary that we should constantly have in our eye the nature and character of the enemy we have to contend with.  The Jacobin Revolution is carried on by men of no rank, of no consideration, of wild, savage minds, full of levity, arrogance, and presumption, without morals, without probity, without prudence.  What have they, then, to supply their innumerable defects, and to make them terrible even to the firmest minds? One thing, and one thing only,—­but that one thing is worth a thousand;—­they have energy.  In France, all things being put into an universal ferment, in the decomposition of society, no man comes forward but by his spirit of enterprise and the vigor of his mind.  If we meet this dreadful and portentous energy, restrained by no consideration of God or man, that is always vigilant, always on the attack, that allows itself no repose, and suffers none to rest an hour with impunity,—­if we meet this energy with poor commonplace proceeding, with trivial maxims, paltry old saws, with doubts, fears, and suspicions, with a languid, uncertain hesitation, with a formal, official spirit, which is turned aside by every obstacle from its purpose, and which never sees a difficulty but to yield to it, or at best to evade it,—­down we go to the bottom of the abyss, and nothing short of Omnipotence can save us.  We must meet a vicious and distempered energy with a manly and rational vigor.  As virtue is limited in its resources, we are doubly bound to use all that in the circle drawn about us by our morals we are able to command.

I do not contend against the advantages of distrust.  In the world we live in it is but too necessary.  Some of old called it the very sinews of discretion.  But what signify commonplaces that always run parallel and equal?  Distrust is good, or it is bad, according to our position and our purpose.  Distrust is a defensive principle.  They who have much to lose have much to fear.  But in France we hold nothing.  We are to break in upon a power in possession; we are to carry everything by storm, or by surprise, or by intelligence, or by all.  Adventure, therefore, and not caution, is our policy.  Here to be too presuming is the better error.

The world will judge of the spirit of our proceeding in those places of France which may fall into our power by our conduct in those that are already in our hands.  Our wisdom should not be vulgar.  Other times, perhaps other measures; but in this awful hour our politics ought to be made up of nothing but courage, decision, manliness, and rectitude.  We should have all the magnanimity of good faith.  This is a royal and commanding policy; and as long as we are true to it, we may give the law.  Never can we assume this command, if we will not risk the consequences.  For which reason we ought to be bottomed enough in principle not to be carried away upon the first prospect of any sinister advantage.