"The Commander-in-Chief is unable to find words to express
the feelings of his heart in order to show to his brethren
in arms of the National Guard and of the line his admiration
and his gratitude for the zeal, the steadiness and the
devotion they displayed during the painful events of
yesterday. He was quite aware that his confidence in their
patriotism would be justified on every occasion; but he
regrets exceedingly the toils and discomforts to which they
are exposed; he would gladly forestall them hut he can only
share them. We all of us feel equally the need of protecting
the capital against its enemies and against anarchy, of
assuring the safety of families and property, of preventing
our revolution from being stained by crimes and our honour
impugned. We are all as one man jointly and severally
answerable for the carrying out of these sacred duties;
and, amidst the sorrow which yesterday's disorders and
those promised for to-day cause him, the Commander-in-Chief
finds great consolation and perfect security in the kindly
feelings he bears towards his brave and dear comrades of
liberty and public order.
"LA FAYETTE"
At one o'clock we learnt that students, with cards in their hats,
and students from the École in uniform were going all over the town
together with the National Guards of the 12th legion, urging all to
moderation. At the same time, placards, signed by four students (one
from each College), were stuck up on all the walls. Here is the literal
rendering of one of them--
"Those patriots who have devoted their lives and labours
throughout crises of all kinds to the cause of our
independence are still in our midst standing steadfast in
the path of liberty; they, in common with others, want large
concessions on behalf of liberty; but it is not necessary
to use force to obtain them. Let us do things lawfully and
then--a more Republican basis will be sought for in all our
institutions and we shall obtain it; we shall be all the
more powerful if we act openly. _But if these concessions be
not granted, then all patriots and students who side with
democratic Principles will call upon the people to insist
on gaining their demands._ Remember, though, that foreign
nations look with admiration upon our Revolution because we
have exercised generosity and moderation; let them not say
that we are not yet fit to have liberty in our hands, and by
no means let them profit by our domestic quarrels, of which
they, perhaps, are the authors."
(Then followed the four signatures.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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