It cut to the quick!
Posted on 02/14/2019 5:42:33 AM PST by vannrox
In 1789, after outlawing the privileges and prejudices given to executioners, the government proposed a single means of execution for all people — beheading — bringing Enlightenment ideals about the equality of the social classes to their logical conclusion. But, while the idea was (at least comparatively) merciful, its implementation held problems which only Charles-Henri Sanson seemed to see.
Here’s an interesting slice of history.
“His flesh was torn away with hot iron pincers. The knife with which he had stabbed the king was fused to his hand with molten sulfur. Then, the executioner chained each of Damiens’ limbs to a different horse and sent them running in different directions. Two hours later, when Damiens’ joints still hadn’t snapped, the executioner pulled out a sword and dismembered Damiens himself before setting fire to the man’s still-living torso, reducing the failed assassin to ashes.”
I think they got him.
The guillotine, too, had achieved a popularity never before seen among execution methods (with the exception, of course, of the Christian cross). Children took to killing rats with “toy” guillotines and the device began appearing on buttons, brooches, and necklaces. For a time, guillotine earrings became a minor phenomenon.
This also reminds me of the fashion industry. Dated a gal studying design once. She asked me why emerald greed was the popular color that year. I said I never thought about it. But that color was decided by a committee about 2-3 years prior. Then the dye makers got on board, the cloth makers, the designers, the advertisers and pretty soon there was a new fashion.
Folks, everything is a fashion industry. We get bored with the old and want something new. This changes as we get older.
Note that one of the principles of conservatism is that we anchor ourselves in our heritage of what works, BUT we are also open to new ideas. The liberals constant argument is “the past is bad and needs to be destroyed”. That is how they perceive MAGA.
The good news is I think Trump understands this. It takes a while to set up a new fashion.
Where is he when we need him?
This is an amazing post.
Thank you.
The king offered his last words, “You see your king is willing to die for you. May my blood cement your happiness,”
I perceive some sarcasm in this?
Great article. Thanks for posting.
Last words ARE often interesting...
Lou Costello: “That was the best ice-cream soda I ever tasted.”
Under the new revolutionary government of Georges Danton and Maximilien Robespierre, paranoia about internal “enemies of the people” led to a streamlined justice system
WE ABSOLUTELY DO NOT WANT AN EFFICENT GOVERNEMENT. Many here was to pass a law to fix things. But all laws encumber us and eventually get used against us. How many times does a law get passed and the market place has already adjusted?
Folks, we need to believe and understand the role of the Invisible Hand and trust it.
Outstanding history post!
The French revolutionary period fascinates me. It was the nucleus of blood-thirsty marxist philosophy.
Love the ending in The Scarlet Pimpernel when Robespierre
fails to capture the Pimpernel and Robespierre knows his
head is next to fall.
The brutality of executions back then is kinda hard for a
modern day person to read.
Old geezers think of the Scarlet Pumpernickle I bet.
They didn’t need to look at the French all they needed to do was look at their recent English history - Judge Jeffreys & the Bloody Assizes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloody_Assizes
Likely "Flask of Powder"
When the forefathers of our nation were thinking of “cruel and unusual punishment”, they had to have had drawing and quartering in mind as such events were quite recent in their time as compared to ours. Crucifixion obviously had to be in their thoughts too.
Today we have court arguments suggesting those subject to lethal injection may suffer some pain during the killing process. The discomfort of a needle or momentary body pain occurring just before death is nothing compared to the hours long torture mentioned in the article.
Oddly, the same bunch of people arguing lethal injection could be painful are likely the same bunch favoring the Islamists that burn and stone people to death.
Robespierre once argued against the DP, btw.
His paranoiac lust for power let that view fall into a very bloody basket.
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Happened with mold in Texas. I was doing mold assessments in the 90’s. There was a LOT of criminal behavior, and the state started writing regulations. People were “cooking” their houses, and insurance was paying out more than the value of the houses, complete inside renovation. The insurance companies put in a “pollution exclusion”, policy holders would not be covered for lead, asbestos, or mold claims. Problem fixed, mold industry died. Now the state comes out with its mold regulations, licensing, revives the mold business (somewhat, now heavily regulated).
My problem is I’m honest and have a conscience. I could have gotten rich, like many people I knew. I have lead, asbestos, and mold licenses, but I feel like an accountant. I help people deal with the regulatory agencies, and my clients are very happy with me (my competitors not so much, I keep prices down).
It cut to the quick!
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