It is but a real fanaticism we have to unmask--it is but hypocrisy! The priests are the privileged brawlers, who ought to be punished by penalties more severe than mere private individuals.

Religion is an all-powerful weapon.

'The priest,' says Montesquieu, 'takes the man from the cradle, and accompanies him to the tomb;' is it then astonishing that he should have so much control over the mind of the people, and that it is requisite to make laws, in order that under a pretence of religion it should not trouble the public peace?
What should be the nature of such a law?
I maintain that one only can be efficacious, and that is banishment from the realm.

(The tribunes hailed this with loud applause.) Do you not see that it is necessary to separate the factious priest from the people whom he misleads, and send away these plague-spotted men to the lazarettos of Italy and Rome?
I am told that the measure is too severe.

What!--you are then blind and mute at all that occurs! Are you then ignorant that a priest can effect more mischief than all your enemies?
I am answered, 'Ah! you should not persecute.' My answer is, that to punish is not to persecute.