by Louis-Auguste Blanqui (1830)

Blanqui's earliest surviving political text, written when he was twenty-five years old and a law student in Paris. Benjamin Constant (1767–1830), the liberal philosopher and defender of civil liberties, had just died. Blanqui called on the students of law and medicine to attend his funeral armed, "in order to render Benjamin Constant funeral honours." It is a brief document, but it marks the beginning of a revolutionary career that would span half a century and over thirty years in prison.

Translated by Andy Blunden, proofed by Mitch Abidor for marxists.org. Creative Commons (Attribute & ShareAlike).

To the students of Law and Medicine,

Benjamin Constant has died. France weeps for one of the firmest upholders of its freedom, a great citizen and a great man. It is for a friend that we weep.

You know the accents his voice found to repulse the calumnies and insults poured upon us by an oppressive power. You know what burning words he made heard in 1820, 1821, 1822 and 1827, when, not content to sacrifice us to the sword of their hirelings, the powerful insulted us from the tribune and in their newspapers.

Benjamin Constant made it a point of pride to be the friend of young people. Until his last moment, he lifted his voice to defend us, because the youth of France, just as much as freedom, needed to be defended, even after the battle of the July Days.

Five days before his death, the assembly halls still echoed with his patriotic tones; he died in battle as a combatant for the principles and the achievements of our revolution.

An entire people will accompany the mortal remains of the defender of our rights to his final resting place. The colleges owe their friend a particular mourning, a solemn homage of recognition.

I invite all my comrades to meet Sunday on the place du Pantheon at exactly nine o'clock in the morning. Those of you who have weapons should come armed, in order to render Benjamin Constant funeral honours.

Louis-Auguste Blanqui, Student of Law.

P.S. — General Lafayette has approved this meeting. One of his staff officers will accompany us.

Colophon

Appeal to the Students, by Louis-Auguste Blanqui, December 11, 1830.

Translated from French by Andy Blunden, proofed and corrected by Mitch Abidor for the Marxists Internet Archive (marxists.org). Source: Auguste Blanqui, Textes Choisis, Ed. V.P. Volguine, Editions Social, Paris, 1971. Creative Commons (Attribute & ShareAlike).

Compiled and formatted for the Good Work Library by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026.

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