"Preserve carefully the numbers that contain these speeches; they are masterpieces of eloquence, that should be preserved in every family, in order to teach future generations that Robespierre existed for the public good and the preservation of liberty." After having exhausted every argument that philosophy, policy, and patriotism could suggest against an offensive war, commenced by the Gironde, and secretly fomented by the ministers, and carried on by the generals most suspected by the people, he mounted the tribune for the last time, against Brissot, on the night of the 13th January, and declared his conviction against war, in a speech as admirable as it was pathetic.
VI.
"Yes, I am vanquished; I yield to you," cried he, in a broken voice, "I also demand war.

What do I say ?--I demand a war, more terrible, more implacable than you demand.

I do not demand it as an act of prudence, an act of reason, an act of policy, but as the resource of despair.

I demand it on one condition, which doubtless you have anticipated,--for I do not think that the advocates of war have sought to deceive us.

I demand it deadly--I demand it heroic--I demand it such as the genius of Liberty would declare against all despotism--such as the people of the Revolution, under their own leaders, would render it;--not such as intriguing cowards would have it, or as the ambitious and traitorous ministers and generals would carry it on.
"Frenchmen, heroes of the 14th of July, who, without guide or leader, yet acquired your liberty, come forth, and let us form that army which you tell us is destined to conquer the universe.