Proclamation of the National Convention (9 Thermidor, Year II)
Proclamation of the National Convention, to the French People.
9 Thermidor, Year II of the French Republic, One and Indivisible.
CITIZENS,
Amidst the most significant victories, a new danger threatens the Republic; it is especially great, as public opinion is weakened, and as a part of the Citizens lets itself be led to the abyss by the ascendant of some reputations.
The works of the Convention are infertile, the courage of the armies becomes nil, if the French Citizens weigh up a few men and the Patrie.
Personal passions have usurped the rank of the public good, some leaders of the armed force seem to threaten the national authority.
The Revolutionary Government, object of the hate of the enemies of France, is attacked in our midst; the forms of republican power touch their ruin ; the aristocracy seems to triumph, and the royalists are ready to reappear.
Citizens, do you want to lose six years of the revolution, of sacrifices and of courage within one day? do you want to return under the yoke which you have smashed? no, no doubt. The National Convention will not cease for one moment to watch over the rights of public liberty. Thus, it invites the citizens of Paris, to the aid of their reunion, of their intelligence, of their patriotism for the preservation of the precious trust which the French People has confided to it ; so that they primarily watch over the military authority, always ambitious, and often usurping. Liberty is nothing in the country where the military is in charge of the civil life.
If you do not support the National Representation, the Constituted Authorities are without subordination and the Armies without direction ; the victories become a curse, and the French People is delivered to all furies of the interior divisions and to all vengeances of tyrants. Hear the voice of the Patrie, instead of combining your cries with the ones of the malevolent, of the aristocrats and of the enemies of the People, and the Patrie will again be saved once more.
The National Convention decrees that the present Proclamation will be printed immediately and sent to all Sections of Paris, to all communes and to the Armies of the Republic. […]
Signed COLLOT D’HERBOIS, president ; LEGENDRE and ANDRÉ DUMONT, secretaries.
