The History of a Crime: The Testimony of an Eye-WitnessHugo, Victor
History
The History of a Crime: The Testimony of an Eye-Witness
Hugo, Victor
France -- History -- 1789-1900
Baudin had with him a copy of the Proclamation which I had dictated to
him on the previous day. Cournet unfolded it and read it. "Let us at
once post it up in the Faubourg," said he. "The People must know that
Louis Bonaparte is outlawed." A lithographic workman who was there
offered to print it without delay. All the Representatives present
signed it, and they added my name to their signatures. Aubry (du Nord)
headed it with these words, "National Assembly." The workman carried off
the Proclamation, and kept his word. Some hours afterwards Aubry (du
Nord), and later on a friend of Cournet's named Gay, met him in the
Faubourg du Temple paste-pot in hand, posting the Proclamation at every
street corner, even next to the Maupas placard, which threatened the
penalty of death to any one who should be found posting an appeal to
arms. Groups read the two bills at the same time. We may mention an
incident which ought to be noted, a sergeant of the line, in uniform, in
red trousers, accompanied him and protected him. He was doubtless a
soldier who had lately left the service.
The time fixed on the preceding evening for the general rendezvous was
from nine to ten in the morning. This hour had been chosen so that there
should be time to give notice to all the members of the Left; it was
expedient to wait until the Representatives should arrive, so that the
group should the more resemble an Assembly, and that its manifestation
should have more authority on the Faubourg.
Several of the Representatives who had already arrived had no sash of
office. Some were made hastily in a neighboring house with strips of
red, white, and blue calico, and were brought to them. Baudin and De
Flotte were amongst those who girded on these improvised sashes.
Meanwhile it was not yet nine o'clock, when impatience already began to
be manifested around them.[9]
Many shared this glorious impatience.
Baudin wished to wait.
"Do not anticipate the hour," said he; "let us allow our colleagues time
to arrive."
But they murmured round Baudin, "No, begin, give the signal, go outside.
The Faubourg only waits to see your sashes to rise. You are few in
number, but they know that your friends will rejoin you. That is
sufficient. Begin."
The result proved that this undue haste could only produce a failure.
Meanwhile they considered that the first example which the
Representatives of the People ought to set was personal courage. The
spark must not be allowed to die out. To march the first, to march at
the head, such was their duty. The semblance of any hesitation would
have been in truth more disastrous than any degree of rashness.
Schoelcher is of an heroic nature, he has the grand impatience of
danger.
"Let us go," he cried; "our friends will join us, let us go outside."
They had no arms.
"Let us disarm the post which is over there," said Schoelcher.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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