With France as she is, poor and unarmed, war means defeat. Defeat means either a military dictator who will salvage what he can and set up a new tyranny, or it means a total collapse and the return of absolute monarchy. It could mean both, one after the other. After ten years not a single one of our achievements will remain, and to your son liberty will be an old man's daydream. This is what will happen, Danton. No one can sincerely maintain the contrary. So if they do maintain it, they are not sincere, they are not patriots and their war policy is a conspiracy against the people.
The quote highlights the bleak outlook for France if it engages in war while being impoverished and defenseless. The speaker warns that defeat could lead to a military dictatorship aimed at preserving what remains, or potentially a complete breakdown resulting in a return to absolute monarchy. This ominous future suggests the erosion of hard-won freedoms and achievements, leaving future generations bereft of liberty, making it merely a nostalgic memory.
Furthermore, the speaker argues that denying this grim reality indicates a lack of sincerity and patriotism among those who advocate for war. They are viewed as conspirators against the citizenry, betraying the very people they claim to represent. This assertion raises concerns about the motivations behind certain political positions, emphasizing that a genuine commitment to the people’s well-being must consider the dire consequences of conflict.
