a wish, I gladly share
with you the dangers and honors necessary to success.... Let us now look
calmly and confidently forward, and success is certain. It is no longer
the paltry cause of kings, or of this or that individual, that calls
France and her armies into action. It is the great cause of ALL. It is
the establishment of a new era that shall blot despotism from the earth,
and fix, on the lasting principles of peace and citizenship the great
REPUBLIC OF MAN."

France is declared a republic, and Mr. Paine is one of nine men to draft
a new constitution. This work is done. In the meantime, charges are
preferred against the king, and Louis XVI is brought to trial. Mr. Paine
voted for the trial. The king is found guilty, and condemned to die. But
he has now a friend in Thomas Paine. He speaks against the death
penalty, and says:

"CITIZEN PRESIDENT: My hatred and abhorrence of monarchy are
sufficiently known; they originate in principles of reason and
conviction, nor, except with life, can they ever be extirpated;
but my compassion for the unfortunate, whether friend or enemy, is
equally lively and sincere." He then reviews the causes which
brought him to trial, and pictures the deplorable condition he is
in--condemns the constituent assembly, rather than the
unfortunate prisoner, and then asks: "What shall be done with this
man?" He has now taken his own life in his hands, when he proffers
to the King of France an asylum in America. Besides, he has a duty
to perform for the United States, which now he offers his own life
to fulfill. He has not forgotten the great feat of young Laurens,
when he touched his sword in presence of this same king, demanding
_that_ aid which made his country free and independent, and which
was granted. He therefore says: "It is to France alone, I know,
that the United States of America owe that support which enabled
them to shake off the unjust and tyrannical yoke of Britain. The
ardor and zeal which she displayed to provide men and money, were
the natural consequence of a thirst for liberty. But as the nation
at that time, restrained by the shackles of her own government,
could only act by means of a monarchical organ, this organ,
whatever in other respects the object might be, certainly
performed a good, a great action. Let, then, these United States
be the safeguard and asylum of Louis Capet."

Marat cries out: "Paine is a Quaker," and t