HUMA 1825 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Plebs, Meddle, Rigour
Document Summary
On the trial of the king: 57. After the overthrow of monarchy in 1792, the question of the fate of the king was posed. Robespierre was against a trial, considering the former monarch as already condemned. After several votes, both the girondin appeal to the people" and the suspended were rejected and louis xvi was executed in 1793. No trial to be held here; louis isn"t a defendant; you"re not judges - can"t be anything but statesmen and representatives of the nation. No sentence to pronounce for or against a man, but a measure of public salvation to implement, and act of national providence to perform. Dethroned king is only good for 2 things: trouble the peace of the state and threaten liberty, affirm both of these at the same time. It is to engrave contempt for royalty deeply on people"s hearts and dumbfound all the king"s supporters.