Page:Heroines of freethought (IA cu31924031228699).pdf/34

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26
MADAME ROLAND.

and most devoted patriotism and love of liberty.

From the letters written by Madame Roland at this time I cannot forbear quoting a few brave sentences:

“If we do not die for liberty, we shall soon have nothing left to do but to weep for her. Do you say we dare no longer speak?—Be it so. We must thunder then!”

“The insolence of the rich and the misery of the people excite my hatred against injustice and oppression, and I no longer ask for anything but the triumph of truth and the success of the Revolution.”

"I am glad there is danger. I see nothing else capable of goading you on. It is impossible to rise to freedom from the midst of corruption without strong convulsions. They are the salutary crises of a serious disease.”

It was through these letters, ablaze with the passionate fire of the love of liberty, that she first became known to the liberal party as the radiant priestess of that liberty.