Under the dictation of terrible shouts outside Lamartine traced this phrase:
“The Provisional Government declares that the Provisional Government of France is the Republican Government, and that the nation shall be immediately called upon to ratify the resolution of the Provisional Government and of the people of Paris.”
I had this paper, this sheet smeared and blotted with ink, in my hands. It was still stamped, still palpitating, so to speak, with the fever of the moment. The words hurriedly scribbled were scarcely formed. Appelée was written appellée.
When these half dozen lines had been written Lamartine handed the sheet to Ledru-Rollin.
Ledru-Rollin read aloud the phrase: “The Provisional Government declares that the Provisional Government of France is the Republican Government—”
“The word ‘provisional’ occurs twice,” he commented.
“That is so,” said the others.
“One of them at least must be effaced,” added Ledru-Rollin.
Lamartine understood the significance of this grammatical observation, which was simply a political revolution.
“But we must await the sanction of France,” he said. “I can do without the sanction of France,” cried Ledru-Rollin, “when I have the sanction of the people.”