This was little enough. When it concerns usurpers and tyrants they
must be treated in another fashion; for their privilege is, of itself,
an outrage on the rights of man. Consequently,
* we (the Jacobins) have dethroned the King and cut off his head;[39]
* we have suppressed, without indemnity, the entire feudal debt,
comprising the rights vested in the seigneurs by virtue of their being
owners of real-estate, and merely lessors;
* we have abandoned their persons and possessions to the claims and
rancor of local jacqueries;
* we have reduced them to emigration;
* we imprison them if they stay at home;
* we guillotine them if they return.
(As the aristocrats are)Reared in habits of supremacy, and convinced
that they are of a different species from other men, the prejudices of
their race are incorrigible; they are incapable of companionship with
their social equals; we cannot too carefully crush them out, or, at
the very least, hold them firmly down.[40] Besides, they are guilty
from the fact of having existed; for, they have taken both the lead
and the command without any right to do so, and, in violation of all
right, they have misused mankind; having enjoyed their rank, it is but
just that they should pay for it.
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