IX.

These lyrical words of Vergniaud re-echoed at Berlin and at Vienna.  “War has been declared against us,” said the Prince de Kaunitz to the Russian ambassador, the Prince de Galitzin, “it is the same thing as if it had been declared against you.”  The command of the Prussian and Austrian forces was given to the Duke of Brunswick.  The two princes by this act only ratified the choice of all Germany, for opinion had already nominated him.  Germany moves but slowly:  federations are but ill fitted for sudden wars.  The campaign was opened by the French before Prussia and Austria had prepared their armaments.

Dumouriez had reckoned upon this sluggishness and inactivity of the two German monarchies.  His skilful plan was to sever the coalition, and suddenly invade Belgium before Prussia could take the field.  Had Dumouriez alone framed and carried out his own plan, the fate of Belgium and Holland was sealed; but La Fayette, who was charged to invade them at the head of 40,000 men, had neither the temerity nor the rapidity of this veteran soldier.  A general of opinion rather than the general of an army, he was more accustomed to command citizens in the public square, than soldiers in a campaign.  Personally brave, beloved by his troops, but more of a citizen than a soldier, he had, during the American war, headed small bodies of free men, but not undisciplined masses.  Not to peril his soldiers; defend the frontiers with intrepidity; die bravely at a Thermopylae; harangue the national guard; and excite his troops for or against opinions; such was the nature of La Fayette.  The daring schemes of great wars, that risk much to save every thing, and which expose the frontiers for a moment to strike at the heart of an empire, accorded but ill with his habits, much less with his situation.

By becoming a general, La Fayette had become the chief of a party; and whilst he was opposing foreign powers, his eyes were constantly turned towards the interior.  Doubtless he needed glory to nourish his influence, and to regain the role of arbitrator of the Revolution, which now began to escape his grasp; but before every thing, it was necessary that he should not compromise himself; one defeat would have ruined all, and he knew it.  He who never risks a loss, will never gain a victory.  La Fayette was the general of temporisation; and to waste the time of the Revolution, was to destroy its force.  The strength of undisciplined forces is their impetuosity, and every thing that slackens that ruins them.