We have made laws for men, now we need to create men for these laws, & make these men worthy of the laws that we created. We can only reach such desirable goals through public education, national festivals, and republican institutions.

In a free state, in a Republic, the hatred of slavery and the love of liberty must be apparent everywhere, and must be seen in all forms. The first words that a child stutters must be those of country and citizen. Their first history lessons must retrace for them the crimes of the altar and the throne, their destruction, & the conquest of liberty. Citizens must see their country everywhere, including in their work & even in their time of relaxation.

The fine arts are the charms of youth, the occupation of maturity, and the consolation of old age. They will depict the features of the devotion of the citizens and the heroism of our warriors on canvas, on marble, and on stage. They will thus create in every heart that enthusiasm that alone gives birth to heroes.

You have felt how great of an influence the dramatic arts have on the public spirit. You have wanted to preserve the French scene from total decadence, assure the playwrights & the actors of national rewards, and turn their vigils and talents to the profit of the public spirit.

Representatives of the people, recalling these reasons is enough to remind us of the importance of our discussion.

First, I will seek to present the real principles that must serve as a foundation for a good law on the theaters. I will then examine if the proposed bill conforms to these principles, and lastly, I will submit to your wisdom the modifications and changes to which this bill is susceptible.

It is impossible to conceal that any law that limits the number of theaters or that delegates the right to limit them to another authority is unconstitutional & counter to the freedom of every citizen to promote their industry, which is a freedom proclaimed by the declaration of rights and

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