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Meanwhile, the Reign of Terror was reaching its end. Robespierre had
become unbearable, even to his own accomplices. The members of the
committees were in a power struggle with him, and were afraid that
sooner or later, they would become his victims. When faced with his
tyranny in the Convention, everyone whimpered, not daring to attack
him. But soon Robespierre, through his speeches and actions, would
give "hope to the damned" for Tallien, Bourdon-de l'Oise, Legendre, Le
Cointre, and others, who feared sharing the fate of Danton and Lacroix.
Every tyrant who threatens but does not strike, is himself struck.
Tallien, Bourdon and two or three other Montagnards who had been
threatened could no longer sleep, so, to defend themselves, they
formed a conspiracy against Robespierre. But how to go about
overthrowing him? Robespierre was in charge of all of the Parisian
authorities, all of the club agitators, and counted Henriot, the
commander of the Armed Forces, among his devoted followers. Only a
decree from the Convention could fell this Colossus, because nothing is
more powerful than morality in a war of opinions. But there were other
problems. The Right, with more votes, was, as they should have been,
less a friend of the threatened Montagnards, who had often called for
their arrest and indictment, than of Robespierre who had constantly
protected them. (No doubt to keep them as a backup if the need ever