"
- "What I have done in the South I will do in the North," says Baudot;
"I will convert them into patriots; either they or I must die." -
"We will make France a cemetery," says Carrier, "rather than not
regenerate it our own way."
In vain may the ignorant or the vicious protest; they protest because
they are ignorant or vicious. In vain may the individual plead his
personal rights; he has none: through the social contract, which is
obligatory and solely valid, he has surrendered his entire being;
having made no reservation, "he has nothing to claim." Undoubtedly,
some will grumble, because, with them, the old wrinkle remains and
artificial habits still cover over the original instinct. Untie the
mill-horse, and he will still go round in the same track; let the
mountebank's dog be turned loose, and he will still raise himself on
his hind-legs; if we would bring them back to their natural gait we
must handle them roughly. In like manner, to restore Man to his
normal attitude, you must handle him roughly. But, in this respect,
have no scruples,[24] for we do not bow him down, we raise him up ; as
Rousseau says, "we compel him to be free;" we confer on him the
greatest boon a human being can receive; we bring him back to nature
and to justice.
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