17 June 1789

Plea for Vindication from The Oppressive Aristocracy and Clergy

Now taking the floor, Monsieur Verlaine* from Dijon, making his plea that the Third Estate rename itself "The National Assembly" and begin governing France independently of the First (aristocratic) and Second (clerical) Estates.

It is by force and utter lack of self control that brings me to resist this rule of tyranny. We as a union of craftsman, merchants, and common [people] have for years been projects of the aristocracy, as almost that of an experiment in the sate of the human condition. No more will we, the economic powers, and the axle of this society, allow the quality of our lives to mandated by the selfish motives of the upper class. Nor will we prostrate our moral character to the corrupt clergy, whose own moral credibility has been put into question by their recent support of the First Estate. We will not be oppressed any longer. It is therefore imperative that we take control of our destiny by taking control of our government.

*A fictional character.

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