In sum, Jacobinism, through its doctrines and deeds, its
dungeons and executioners, proclaims to the nation over which it holds
the rod:[145]
"Be rude, that you may become republican, return to barbarism that
you may show the superiority of your genius; abandon the customs of
civilized people that you may adopt those of galley slaves; mar your
language with a view to improve it; use that of the populace under
penalty of death. Spanish beggars treat each other in a dignified
way; they show respect for humanity although in tatters. We, on the
contrary, order you to assume our rags, our patois, our terms of
intimacy. Don the carmagnole and tremble; become rustics and dolts,
and prove your civism by the absence of all education."
This is true to the letter.
"Education,[146] " says another contemporary, "amiable qualities,
gentle ways, a mild physiognomy, bodily graces, a cultivated mind, all
natural endowments are henceforth the inevitable causes of
proscription."
One is self-condemned if one has not converted oneself into a sans-
culotte and proletarian, in accordance with affected modes, air,
language and dress. Hence,
"through a hypocritical contest hitherto unknown men who were not
vicious deemed it necessary to appear so.
Pages:
710
711
712
713
714
715
716
717
718
719
720
721
722
723
724
725
726
727
728
729
730
731
732
733
734