Consequently, the subject, in assuming their rights, imposes upon himself their duties; in his quota (of responsibility) he, in his turn, is sovereign; but, in his turn and in his person, he is a soldier.[3261] Henceforth, if he is born an elector, he is born a conscript; he has contracted an obligation of a new species and of infinite reach; the State, which formerly had a claim only on his possessions, now has one on his entire body; never does a creditor let his claims rest and the State always finds reasons or pretexts to enforce its claims.

Under the threats or trials of invasion the people, at first, had consented to pay this one; they regarded it as accidental and temporary.

After victory and when peace came, its government continues to enforce the claim; it becomes settled and permanent.

After the treaties of Luneville and Amiens, Napoleon maintains it in France; after the treaties of Paris and Vienna, the Prussian government is to maintain it in Prussia.

One war after another and the institution becomes worse and worse; like a contagion, it has spread from State to State.