Page:Voices of Revolt - Volume 1.djvu/83

 Rh Even the aristocracy is now attempting to make itself popular. It conceals its counter-revolutionary pride, it hides its dagger under its rags and filth. Royalism is trying to overcome the victories of the Republic. The nobility, having learned from past experience, is ready to clasp liberty in a sweet embrace, in order to stifle it in the act. Tyranny strews flowers on the graves of the defenders of liberty. Their hearts have remained the same; only their masks have changed! How many traitors are attempting to ruin us by conducting our affairs?

But they should be put to the test. Instead of oaths and declamations, let us require them to deliver services and sacrifices!

Action is required—they talk. Deliberation is necessary—they declare we must act at once. In times of peace, they are opposed to all necessary reforms. In times of commotion, they will promise to introduce any innovation, any transformation. When you are planning to punish traitors, they will be at hand immediately, to remind you of Cæsar's leniency. They discover that this man or that was once a nobleman, although he is now defending the Republic, and they will forget these antecedents only in cases in which this man or that among the nobles is betraying the Republic. When peace is necessary, why, they will promise you victory. When war is necessary, rest assured that they will laud the delights of peace. If it behooves us to defend