Page:A Scene from Contemporary History.djvu/21

530 M Le Maiquis do Prié—It is just the contrary!

M Thiers—Take the responsibility of it!

M Le Marquis de Piré—Yes! Yes!

M Glais-Bizoin—No!

M Le President Schneider—M De Piré, cease, I pray you, do not interrupt with this animation (Very good!)

M Thiers—Here, gentlemen, each of us ought to take the reponsibility that he thinks he is able to bear (From the right Yes! Yes! The whole of it!)

M Thiers—As for me, careful of my memory—

M Brotteau—We also!

M Thiers—I would not that any body should say—(Interruptions) that I took the responsibility of a war founded upon such motives

The great thing ha been granted, and it is form a detail of form that you break! (No! No! Yes! Yes!)

You will reply to me

I demand then in the face of the country that a know ledge be given to us of the despatches upon which is founded the resolution that has just been announced to us, for we must not dissimulate it, it is a declaration of war!

(Certainly! Prolonged movement)

M Granier de Cassagnac—I should think that is plain!

M Thiers—Gentlemen,I know of what men are capable when under the empire of passionate emotions For me, if I had the honor of directing, in this conjuncture, the destinies of my country—(New interruptions) You know well by my presence uprrn these benches that it is not a regret that I express, but I repeat, that if I had been placed in this dolorous but great conjuncture, I would have contrived to give to my country some instants of reflection before taking for it a resolution so grave

M Birotteau—When one is insulted there no need for one to reflect

M Thiers—As to me, let me give you in two words the explanation of my conduct and of my language, let me tell you