At first only one-half of its useful energy has been
destroyed since only those services rendered by the rich and wealthy
classes have been dispensed with. Little else than the labor of the
capitalist, proprietor or contractor has been suppressed, whose far-
reaching, combined, comprehensive labor, the rewards of which consist
of objects of luxury and convenience, ensure for society that abundant
supplies are always on hand, through ready and spontaneous
distribution of indispensable commodities. There remains (for the
Jacobins) to crush out what is left of this laborious and nutritive
fiber; the remnant of useful energy has to be destroyed down to its
extirpation among the people. Here there must be a suppression, as
far as possible, of all manual, rude labor even on a small scale, and
of its rudimentary fruits; the discouragement of the insignificant
shopkeeper, mechanic and ploughman must be effected; the corner-grocer
must be prevented from selling his sugar and candles, and the cobbler
from mending shoes: the miller must think of giving up his mill and
the wagoner of abandoning his cart; the farmer must be convinced that
the best thing he can do is to get rid of his horses, eat his pork
himself,[30] let his oxen famish and leave his crops to rot on the
ground.
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