The Law of 22 Prairial
In: Telos, Heft 141, S. 92-100
ISSN: 0040-2842, 0090-6514
Presents a translation of the Law of 22 Prairial adopted by France's National Convention in 1794, including the introduction by Couthon of the Committee of Public Safety who claimed that the reign of despotism was opposed to both ethical & natural truth. Couthon maintained that the revolutionary tribunal had become paralyzed & justice had become a "false religion that consisted entirely of dogmas, rites, & mysteries, from which moral doctrine was banned." He stated that the time has come to bring the tyrants to justice & then read all of the Articles of the law, including the revised composition of the revolutionary tribunal & a detailed description of enemies of the people "who seek to annihilate public liberty, either by force or by cunning." The penalty for all crimes handled by the revolutionary tribunal was death & proof for condemnation could include any verbal, written, or moral document that could "naturally persuade a fair & reasonable mind." Other articles of the law are described. Translation by Dan Edelstein & Christy Wampole. J. Lindroth