By 1794, Danton and the so-called ‘Indulgents’ called for clemency, an end to the Terror, the return of the 1793 Constitution, the “sparing of human blood”, and the weakening of the powers of the Committee of Public Safety (especially over the economy and local authorities) – they wanted the entire Revolution moderated. These demands quickly gained support as the French army won victory after victory against the First Coalition, as the Vendee and Federalist Revolts were suppressed, and the horrors of the representatives-on-mission carried out became known. In his paper “Le Vieux Cordelier” (the Old Cordeliers), Camille Desmoulins used a translation of Tacitus to mock and criticise the Terror, while calling for clemency and the release of suspects.
