INTRODUCTION. 
XXI 
equality of conditions, for otherwise the poor elector will use 
his vote to pass laws for the increase of his share of the good 
things of life at the expense of the privileged classes. 
M. Paul Janet, in his Origines du Socialisme, and M. Taine, 
in his book on the Revolution, show how, after 1789, as with 
Rousseau, the idea of political equality led to that of a greater 
social equality, even without any reconstruction of society after 
the manner of Babœuf. The excellent Abbé Fauchet exclaims, 
“Where is the wretch who wishes to see a continuation of this 
atrocious régime, where the miserable are counted by millions 
amid a handful of arrogant persons who have done nothing that 
they should possess all ?” In the “ Four Cries of a Patriot,” 
the question is asked. What is the good of a constitution for 
a nation of skeletons? and “a terrible insurrection of twenty 
mdhon indigent persons without property is announced.” 
Chaumette says, “We have destroyed the nobles and the 
^^apets, there remains still an aristocracy to overturn, that of 
t e rich. Chalier of Lyons, whose enthusiasm was so 
seductive to Michelet, says, “All pleasure is criminal as long 
as the sans-culottes suffer.” Tallien desires “an equality full 
and complete,” and he proposes to send “to the bottom of 
the dungeons” all proprietors, whom he styles public robbers 
One member of the convention, Fr. Dupont, reproduces the 
doctrine of St. Paul, and maintains that “ no individual in the 
Republic should live without working.” “ Oblige every one to 
equal share m the advantages of society.» Already Meeker 
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