The nature of the age in which we live protests against the traditional forms of power: at an epoch of movement--a government of movement--such is the law.
XIV.
The National Assembly, it is said, had not the right to act thus; for it had sworn allegiance to the monarchy and recognised Louis XVI., and could not dethrone him without a crime.

The objection is puerile, if it originates in minds who do not believe in the possession of the people by dynasties.

The Assembly at its outset had proclaimed the inalienable right of the people; and the lawfulness of necessary insurrection, and the oath of the Tennis Court (_Serment du Jeu de Paume_), were nought but an oath of disobedience to the king and of fidelity to the nation.
The Assembly had afterwards proclaimed Louis XVI.

king of the French.

If they possessed the power of proclaiming him king, they also possessed that of proclaiming him a simple citizen.