For, this is not borrowed emotion; it does not descend from above; they are not a trusty army of disciplined soldiers, but a suspicious accumulation of temporary adherents.

To command them requires obedience to them, their leaders always remaining their tool.

However popular and firmly established a chief may seem to be, he is there only for a short time, at all times subject to their approval as the bullhorn for their passions and the purveyor to their appetites.[33111] Such was Petion in July, 1792, and such is Marat since the days of September.

"One Marat more or less (which will soon be seen) would not change the course of events."[33112]--"But one only would remain,[33113] Chaumette, for instance; one would suffice to lead the horde," because it is the horde itself which leads.

"Its attachment will always be awarded to whoever shows a disposition to follow it the closest in its outrages without in any respect caring for its former leaders...