We should have seen what labor and the stagnation it produces
comes to, when managed through State maneuvers by administrative
manikins and humanitarian automatons. This experiment had been tried
in China, in the eleventh century, and according to principles, long
and regularly, by a well manipulated and omnipotent State, on the most
industrious and soberest people in the world, and men died in myriads
like flies. If the French, at the end of 1794 and during the
following years did not die like flies, it was because the Jacobin
system was relaxed too soon.[98]
VI. Relaxation.
Relaxation of the Revolutionary system after Thermidor. - Repeal of
the Maximum. - New situation of the peasant. - He begins to
cultivation again. - Requisition of grain by the State. - The
cultivator indemnifies himself at the expense of private persons. -
Multiplication and increasing decline of Assignats. The classes who
have to bear the burden. - Famine and misery during year III, and the
first half of year IV. - In the country.- In the small towns. - In
large towns and cities.
But, if the Jacobin system, in spite of its surviving founders,
gradually relaxes after Thermidor; if the main ligature tied around
the man's neck, broke just as the man was strangling, the others that
still bind him hold him tight, except as they are loosened in places;
and, as it is, some of the straps, terribly stiffened, sink deeper and
deeper into his flesh.
Pages:
833
834
835
836
837
838
839
840
841
842
843
844
845
846
847
848
849
850
851
852
853
854
855
856
857