[The Origins of Contemporary France Volume 4 (of 6) by Hippolyte A. Taine]@TWC D-Link bookThe Origins of Contemporary France Volume 4 (of 6) CHAPTER I 24/88
He cares only for his own interest, he gives no heed to public necessities; he sees none of the superior rights which take precedence of his derived right; he supposes that his property is his own without restriction or condition; he forgets that, if he is allowed to use it, he must not use it to another's detriment.[2177] This even the middle or low class, who possess goods essential for survival, will do.
The greater the demand for these goods the higher they raise their prices; soon, they sell only at an exorbitant rate, and worse still, stop selling and store their goods or products, in the expectation of selling them dearer.
In this way, they speculate on another's wants; they augment the general distress and become public enemies.
Nearly all the agriculturists, manufacturers and tradesmen of the day, little and big, are public enemies--farmers, tenant farmers, market-gardeners, cultivators of every degree, as well as foremen, shopkeepers, especially wine-dealers, bakers and butchers. "All merchants are essentially anti-revolutionaries, and would sell their country to gain a few pennies."[2178] We will not tolerate this legal brigandage.
Since "agriculture has done nothing for liberty and has sought only its own gain,"[2179] we will put it under surveillance, and, if necessary, under control.
<<Back Index Next>> D-Link book Top TWC mobile books
|