They furled the red flag, stained with the first drops of blood; and dispersed, battalion after battalion, in the dark streets of Paris, more like gendarmes after an execution, than an army returning from a victory.
Such was this "_Day of the Champ-de-Mars_," which gave a reign of three months to the Assembly, by which they did not profit; which intimidated the clubs for a few days, but which did not restore to the monarchy or to the public tranquillity the blood it had cost.

La Fayette had on this day the destiny of the monarchy and the republic in his hands: he merely re-established order.
XVI.
The next morning Bailly appeared before the Assembly to report to them the triumph of the law.

He displayed the heartfelt sorrow of his mind, and the masculine energy that formed part of his duty.
"The conspiracy had been formed," said he; "it was necessary to employ force, and severe punishment has overtaken the crime." The president approved, in the name of the Assembly, of the mayor's conduct, and Barnave thanked the national guard in cold and weak language, whilst his praises seemed near akin to excuses.

The enthusiasm of the victors had already subsided, and Petion perceiving this, rose and said a few words concerning a _projet de decret_ that had just been proposed, against those who should assemble the people in numbers.

These words, in the mouth of Petion, who was well known to be the friend of Brissot and the conspirators, were at first received with sarcastic cries by the _cote droit_, and then with loud applause from the _cote gauche_ and the tribunes.