Voices of the Revolution

Hymn of the Supreme Being, by François Joseph Gossec

On Funerals, by Athanase Détournelle

“Before the revolution, Catholic worship having dominated life, all families saw themselves subjected, in matters of funerals, to the despotism and mercantile greed of a priest...”

Important Considerations of the Current Situation of the Republic

by Claude-Joseph Girault

“The conspiracy is discovered; it proceeds to its ends by means that are sometimes direct, and sometimes indirect; But impossible to ignore either way.”

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The Life & Crimes of Robespierre & His Main Accomplices, with Details of the Circumstances that Accompanied their Execution

What is a Patriotic Club or Society?

In any association whose purpose is great public interest, the men who compose it must frequently rally the principles of their institution; they must frequently recall the reasons they assemble, to strengthen the bonds between them, to recognize the foundations on which their work should rest, the commitments they've made, the duties they have to perform, and finally the obstacles they must overcome to reach this goal.

CONFESSION OF MARIE ANTOINETTE to M. Tallerand-Perrigord, Formerly Archbishop of Reims, and Since Conjurer of the Saint-Empoule […]

[by Charles Boussemart]

Great deceiver, at your knees see a penitent soul, which made her dear husband a cuckold, and was always too indulgent. M. Rémy, M. Rémy. You have surrendered the power to absolve me here.

The Permanent Guillotine: The Devastation of the ‘Chevaliers du Poignard’ and the Traitors to the Nation: The Case Against Barthelemy and Laurent

Handwritten discourse on republicanism, by Jacques Nicolas Billaud-Varenne (Jean Nicolas), later a member of the Committee of Public Safety

Proclamation des Représentants du Peuple Envoyés près l'armée des Alpes, & dans différents Départements de la République, Aux Citoyens des Départements réunis sous les murs de Lyon.

A proclamation by the representatives of the people: sent after the army of the Alps, and in different departments of the republic; for citizens in the departments united under the walls of Lyon.

Invention du Citoyen Abinet

[Revolutionary boot design by P. Abinet, feat. a complimentary ruler designed for foot measurements]

Ah! Ah! We are Fools and Dupes!

[An anonymous dialogue]

Pistouret: ...In all the cities I’ve crossed, in the villages, on the roads, I saw soldiers with the same uniform: everywhere I heard the drums.

Boniface: How do you not know?

Pistouret: What!

Boniface: That we are free!

Pistouret: Ah! Ah! And that’s why we’re all armed?

Boniface: Yes, my friend.

Happy Bastille Day, everyone! Celebrate liberté, égalité, and fraternité today with a revolutionary hymn by Marie-Joseph Chénier. 

Il est venu le jour où depuis une année Les destins de la France ont fini ses revers: Accourez, citoyens; cette auguste journée           A rompu nos antiques fers. Egayant par des chants leur active industrie, Soldats, prêtres, pasteurs, femmes, enfans, vieillards, Élevaient à-la-fois l’autel de la patrie           Au sein de la plaine de Mars. Des combats meurtriers les instrumens terribles Par nous ont de l’État relevé les destins; Citoyens, le travail et ses armes paisibles           N’ont pas moins honoré nos mains.

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Observations on Divorce, by Emmanuel Henri Louis Alexandre de Launay (Comte d'Antraigues)

“... The freedom to marry consists of the right of all citizens to choose--among all classes of citizens--the companion of their life.”

The Shadow of Camille Desmoulins, or my opinion on the revolutionary government, by Barbet du Bertrand

...I was born to be happy. The Supreme Being does not tear me asunder, forcing me to soak the earth with tears of sorrow; a monster with a human face called “king” hid this truth beneath the feet of his throne. But after five years of effort that throne has been overturned, and the social contract is declared the cement of public happiness. But oh, sudden and disastrous change.