[Footnote 2277: Duvergier, law of May 21-29, 1791.]
[Footnote 2278: Sauzay, I. 366, 538 to 593, 750.--"Archives Nationales," F7, 3235, Letter of M. de Chânteau-Randon, May 10, 1791.--Mercure, April 23rd, and April 16, 1701. Articles of Mallet du Pan, letter from Bordeaux, March 20, 1791.]
[Footnote 2279: Buchez and Roux, XII, 77. Report of Gallois and Gensonné sent to La Vendée and the Deux Sévres (July 25, 1791).--" Archives Nationales," F7, 3253, letter of the Directory of the Bas-Rhin (letter of January 7, 1792).--" Le District de Machecoul de 1788 à 1793," by Lallier.--" Histoire de Joseph Lebon," by Paris.--Sauzay, vol. I. and II. in full.]
[Footnote 2280: Mercure, January 15th, April 23rd, May 16th and 30th, June 1st, November 23rd, 1791.--"Le District de Machecoul," by Lallier, 173.--Sauzay, I. 295.--Lavirotte, "Annales d'Arnay-le-Duc" (February 5, 1792).--"Archives Nationales," F7, 3223. Petition of a number of the inhabitants of Montpellier, November 17, 1791.]
[Footnote 2281: Duvergier, decree of November 29, 1791.--Mercure, November 30, 1791 (article by Mallet du Pan).]
CHAPTER III. THE CONSTRUCTIONS--THE CONSTITUTION OF 1791.
That which is called a Government is a concert of powers, each with a distinct function, and all working towards a final and complete end. The merit of a Government consists in the attainment of this end; the worth of a machine depends upon the work it accomplishes. The important thing is not to produce a good mechanical design on paper, but to see that the machine works well when set up on the ground. In vain might its founders allege the beauty of their plan and the logical connection of their theorems; they are not required to furnish either plan or theorems, but an instrument.
Two conditions are requisite to render this instrument serviceable and effective. In the first place, the public powers must harmonize with each other, if not, one will neutralize the other; in the second place they must be obeyed, or they are null.
The Constituent Assembly made no provision for securing this harmony or this obedience. In the machine which it constructed the motions all counteract each other; the impulse is not transmitted; the gearing is not complete between the center and the extremities; the large central and upper wheels turn to no purpose; the innumerable small wheels near the ground break or get out of order: the machine, by virtue of its own mechanism, remains useless, over-heated, under clouds of waste steam, creaking and thumping in such a matter as to show clearly that it must explode.
