We must especially guard ourselves against the craft and maneuvers by which, under the pretext of preserving law and order, he would tie our hands.

A law, superior to any he can make, forbids him to interfere with our sovereignty; and he does interfere with it when he undertakes to forestall, obstruct, or impede its exercise.

The Assembly, even the Constituent, usurps when it treats the people like a lazybones (roi faineant), when it subjects them to laws, which they have not ratified, and when it deprives them of action except through their representatives.[1102] The people themselves must act directly, must assemble together and deliberate on public affairs.

They must control and censure the acts of those they elect; they must influence these with their resolutions, correct their mistakes with their good sense, atone for their weakness by their energy, stand at the helm alongside of them, and even employ force and throw them overboard, so that the ship may be saved, which, in their hands, is drifting on a rock.[1103] Such, in fact, is the doctrine of the popular party.

This doctrine is carried into effect July 14 and October 5 and 6, 1789.