"
From the debut of the new cabinet, the Opposition, to use a recent
expression, showed itself irreconcilable. It raised a long cry of
anger, and declared war to the death on Prince Polignac.
"It is in vain," said the Debats, "that the ministers demand of
Time to efface with a sweep of his wing their days, their actions,
their thoughts, of yesterday; these live for them, as for us. The
shadow of their past goes before them and traces their route. They
cannot turn aside; they must march; they must advance.--But I wish
to turn back.--You cannot.--But I shall support liberty, the
Charter, the Opposition.--You cannot. March, then, march, under
the spur of necessity, to the abyss of Coups d'Etat! March! Your
life has judged and condemned you. Your destiny is accomplished."
The man who excited hatreds so violent was Jules de Polignac. He
was born at Versailles, May 14, 1780. As the German historian,
Gervinus, has said: "His past weighed upon him like a lash of
political interdict. He was the son of the Duchess of Polignac,
who had been the object of so many calumnies, and who had never
been pardoned for the intimate friendship with which she was
honored by the unfortunate queen, Marie Antoinette, a friendship
that had evoked against her, first all the jealousies of the
envious courtiers, and then all the aversion of the people. It was
believed that a like favoritism could be recognized in the
relations of the son of the Duchess with Charles X.
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