The Durandists On Île Saint-Louisouis
The Hôtel Lambert was bustling with preparations for war when news of the King's abdication reached them. Hundreds of men carried stolen firearms, swords, anything that could kill a man you could find it being wielded by one of the Durandists. They all wore the phrygian which was fast becoming a powerful symbol for the Parisian rebels, everywhere a man went with a phrygian he was approached with great admiration and respect in the streets. But suddenly the phrygian guard found themselves without an enemy, proclamations that the Revolution had been won was tampered with the fact that France was still a monarchy albeit a puppet monarchy. The Durandists or phrygians had been self-controlled during their march in Paris, their leader Antoine Durand was adamant that they were civilized men and not animals rampaging through the streets of the city like other groups. Indeed all their provisions except for their firearms had been gathered from donations and by his followers from their own homes.
Hôtel Lambert was clean and managed efficiently by the Club de Phrygian, all men who surrendered or who were on the sidelines had been given food and shelter. Already printing presses were being moved into the structure once the home of Voltaire. There was still much work to be done.
Île Saint-Louis was essentially under the control of the Durandists and it is here that they were determined to stay and build a foundation for furthering their Revolution. The presses produced thousands of issues of the La Phrygian, essentially the same as the La Cordeliers but with a new title. Excerpts of Enlightenment works along with revolutionary articles covered its pages.
Antoine Durand and his council were finishing a particularly powerful piece on the intentions and vision of their faction. They were still misunderstood by those in the revolutionary government and by many people on the streets. So far they had been firebrands of Republic, soldiers of Liberty leading the wave of the people to fall onto and demolish the traditions of old especially the Monarchy. Now it was time to grow and to make themselves clear to the populace.
La Phrygian - Issue One
On The Health Of The Revolution
And
The Coming Of The Ancient Regimes
To Thwart
Our Advances Toward Liberty
And Republic
By Antoine Durand "Paladin de la liberté"
October has seen the arrival and closure of just one phase in the Revolution of the Fatherland. Indeed many popular and influential heroes of our cause have ascended to power to hopefully govern France toward the light of Republic. Already the tricolors fly from the windows of many Parisians and even from many homes in the countryside. Yet the general mood of the new ruling class suggests that they the Revolution is now complete! I must disagree heroes of Liberty. As I write this the Monarchy remains except now the boy king, Louis-Charles reigns under the close supervision of the new leadership. Perhaps this was done to placate the royalists waiting to defend their ghost of a man, Louis the Impotent who they blindly worship like savages to their sun god. Yet the shadow of Monarchy no matter what form it takes still threatens to tear down the pillars of our liberation constructed with our blood, sweat, and tears and those the lives of thousands of heroes.
Rumors abound that some of the former King's men have escaped the fatherland to Austria where no doubt they are plotting to have the absurdly named "King of the Romans" to mobilize his slave armies and to drive those whose heart beats the tune of our revolutionary songs out of Paris into exile or until those hearts stop beating. Likewise the nation has not had proper leadership for many years, our finances are in disarray, many of our citizens starve in the street, or fall pray to savages wandering the streets. The reins of the army is pulled by the decayed hands of aristocrats birthed from their diseased and ancient bloodlines. The church continues to poison the minds of our youth with Papist propaganda.
But we are the bringers of Liberty, the crusaders of Republic and we have shown that our strength knows no boundaries, that our spirits are too pure and determined to bulk at the impending abyss of tyranny that may come from the rest of Europe or from our enemies at home!
Although the disease of monarchy has yet to be eradicated from the Fatherland I have recognized the compromise of rebel leaders in keeping the child king onto the dark throne of tyranny as a tool for furthering the greater vision of revolution. Therefore I declare my support for the new government in solidarity with those who are walking a tightrope over the destruction of Enlightenment toward the promised land of Liberty, Fraternity, and Brotherhood. If the new government requires my assistance then I shall oblige them so long as the ideals of our Revolution are kept clean from the hands of would be tyrants and corrupters.
The Fatherland must stand united against the coming tide of Europe's slave armies led by the closest manifestation of devils ever to walk the face of the world!