At length, one of them, M. Duchesne, ascended the tribune, and spoke in the following energetic and decided manner:—
"I do not believe that the project proposed by the Committee is capable of attaining the desired end. The greatness of our disasters cannot be denied: they are sufficiently proved by the presence of the Chief of our Armies in the capital. If there are no bounds to the energies of the nation, there are limits to its means. The Chambers cannot offer negotiations to the Allied Powers. The documents which have been communicated to us demonstrate that they have uniformly refused all the overtures which have been made to them; and they have declared that they will not treat with the French, as long as they shall have the Emperor at their head."
The speaker was here interrupted by the President, who announced that the Message to which the Reporter had referred would speedily be received. The interruption, however, at this most important point of the debate, renewed the tumult in the Chamber. Some exclaimed, "It is a concerted plan to make us lose time." Others cried out, "Some plot is concerting;" and the majority vociferated, "Proceed, proceed; there is no middle course."
Duchesne continued:—
"It is necessary that we should be certain of finding in the development of the national force, a defence sufficient to support our negotiations, and to enable us to treat with success concerning our honour and independence. Can that force be developed with sufficient rapidity? May not circumstances again lead victorious Armies to the capital? Then, and under their auspices, will reappear the ancient Family." ("Never! never!" exclaimed several voices.) "I freely express my opinion. What may be the consequences of these events? We have only one certain means left, which is, to engage the Emperor, in the name of the safety of the State, in the sacred name of a suffering country, to declare his Abdication."
No sooner was this word pronounced than the entire Assembly rose; and amidst the clamour that ensued were heard a hundred voices exclaiming, "Seconded! seconded!"
When, at length, the President succeeded in restoring some degree of order, he said:—
"I cannot hope to arrive at any result, unless the agitation of the Assembly be repressed. The safety of the country depends on the decision of this day. I entreat the Chamber to wait for the Emperor's Message."
The proposition of Duchesne was instantly supported by General Solignac: an Officer who, during the last five years, had been made to suffer the severest mortifications, arising from the hatred entertained towards him by Napoleon, in consequence of his refusal to be the servile instrument of his ambition; and, therefore, the curiosity of the Chamber was naturally excited to hear what course he was about to adopt.