It would not have been baptized in the blood of three hundred thousand human beings--it would not have armed the revolutionary tribunal with the axe of the people, with which it immolated a generation to make way for an idea,--it would not have had the 31st of May.

The Girondists arriving at the supreme power, unsullied by crime, would have possessed more force with which to combat the demagogues; and the republic calmly and deliberately instituted, would have intimidated Europe far more than an _emeute_ legitimised by bloodshed and assassination.

War might have been avoided, or, if it was inevitable, have been more unanimous and more triumphant; our generals would not have been massacred by their soldiers amidst cries of treason.

The spirit of the people would have combated with us, and the horror of our days of August, September, and January would not have alienated from our standards the nations attracted thither by our doctrines.

Thus a single change in the origin of the republic changed the fate of the Revolution.
XVI.
But if this rigorous resolution was yet repugnant to the feelings of France, and if the Assembly had feared they had given birth to a republic prematurely, the third course was yet open, to proclaim the temporary cessation of royalty during ten years, and govern in a republican form in its name until the constitution was firmly and securely established.