The Roman Republic encouraged suicide; those so greatlycelebrated instances of devotion to country were nothing other thansuicides. When Rome was taken by the Gauls, the most illustrioussenators consecrated themselves to death; as we imitate thatspirit, we adopt the same virtues. During the campaign of '92, asoldier, grief-stricken to find himself unable to follow hiscomrades to the Jemappes affair, took his own life. Keepingourselves at all times to the high standard of those proudrepublicans, we will soon surpass their virtue: it is thegovernment that makes the man. Accustomed for so long to despotism,our courage was utterly crippled; despotism depraved our manners;we are being reborn; it will shortly be seen of what sublimeactions the French genius and character are capable when they ar
