Letter to the editor: So much for the peaceful transfer of power

As we all learned in school, Maximilien Robespierre was a key figure during the French Revolution. He became a leading member of the Committee of Public Safety, or an emergency government, after the fall of King Louis XVI and due to the weakness of the First Republic. In June 1793, the new constitution was suspended, and political power passed from the National Convention to the Committee of Public Safety. Although intended to bolster revolutionary enthusiasm, a Reign of Terror rapidly degenerated into the settlement of personal grievances. Here, Robespierre encouraged the execution, mostly by guillotine, of more than 17,000 enemies of the Revolution.

In a speech in July 1794, Robespierre spoke of the existence of internal enemies and conspirators, and accused others, whom he knew to be innocent, of having committed crimes. After this, it did not take long for public support for Robespierre to turn and the government ordered his arrest.

While I do not believe history repeats itself, I find at times it brings to mind events of the past. This is what has repeatedly happened with statements recently made by Donald Trump. It sounds like his next term, should he win, will not be about running the government, but a term of settling personal grievances. And if these statements have not been bad enough, this month he sent out a fundraising email − with large red letters − "Haul out the Guillotine!"

Well, all I can say is, so much for the peaceful transfer of power.

David B. McCoy, Massillon

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Letter to the editor: So much for the peaceful transfer of power