When we reach some great good, long desired, we begin by felicitating
ourselves. We triumph, we give ourselves up to this joy without
rendering to our minds any full account of our reasons for it. Then
comes reflexion: we pass in review all the circumstances of our new
happiness; we compare it in detail with our former condition; and
each of these thoughts becomes a fresh enjoyment. This satisfaction,
elucidated and well-considered, we now desire to procure for our
readers.
In seeing Royalty abolished and the Republic established, all France
has resounded with unanimous plaudits.(2) Yet, Citizen President: In the
name of the Deputies of the Department of the Pas de Calais, I have the
honor of presenting to the Convention the felicitations of the General
Council of the Commune of Calais on the abolition of Royalty.
1 Translated for this work from Le Patriote Francois,
"Samedi 20 Octobre, 1793, l'an Ier de la Republique.
Supplement au No. 1167," in the Bibliotheque Nationale,
Paris. It is headed, "Essai anti-monarchique, a l'usage des
nouveaux republicains, tire de la Feuille Villageoise." I
have not found this Feuille, but no doubt Brissot, in
editing the essay for his journal (Le Patriote Francois)
abridged it, and in one instance Paine is mentioned by name.
Although in this essay Paine occasionally repeats sentences
used elsewhere, and naturally maintains his well-known
principles, the work has a peculiar interest as indicating
the temper and visions of the opening revolution.--_Editor._
2 Royalty was abolished by the National Convention on the
first day of its meeting, September 21, 1792, the
revolutionary Calendar beginning next day. Paine was chosen
by his fellow-deputies of Calais to congratulate the
Convention, and did so in a brief address, dated October 27,
which was loaned by M. Charavay to the Historical Exposition
of the Revolution at Paris, 1889, where I made the subjoined
translation: "folly of oar ancestor", who have placed us
under the necessity of treating gravely (solennellement) the
abolition of a phantom (fantome).--Thomas Paine, Deputy."--
_Editor._
Amid the joy inspired by this event, one cannot forbear some pain
at the some who clap their hands do not sufficiently understand the
condition they are leaving or that which they are assuming.
The perjuries of Louis, the conspiracies of his court, the wildness of
his worthy brothers, have filled every Frenchman with horror, and this
race was dethroned in their hearts before its fall by legal decree. But
it is little to throw down an idol; it is the pedestal that above all
must be broken down; it is the regal office rather than the incumbent
that is murderous. All do not realize this.
Why is Royalty an absurd and detestable government? Why is the Republic
a government accordant with nature and reason? At the present time a
Frenchman should put himself in a position to answer these two questions
clearly. For, in fine, if you are free and contented it is yet needful
that you should know why.
Let us first discuss Royalty or Monarchy. Although one often wishes to
distinguish between these names, common usage gives them the same sense.