DANTON
than many of those who deem themselves great men. In a people great men are of no more account than giant trees in a vast forest. It was believed that the people wanted the agrarian law; and this idea may cause suspicions to arise as to the measures adopted by the Department de l'Herault — their motives and their decrees will no doubt be perverted. It will be said of them: "They taxed the rich"; but, citizens, to tax the rich is to serve them. It is rather a veritable advantage for them than a considerable sacrifice; the more the sacrifice upon the usufruct, the more is the principal guaranteed against the invasion of enemies. It is an appeal to every man of means to save the Republic. The appeal is just. What the Department de l'Herault has done, Paris and all France will do.
See what resources France will procure. Paris is rich and luxurious; well, by decree, this sponge is going to be squeezed, and by a gratifying singularity it will be found that the people will carry on the revolution at the expense of their internal enemies. These enemies themselves will learn the price of liberty; they will desire to possess it, when they have recognized that it has preserved their possessions. Paris, in making an appeal to capitalists, will furnish her contingent, which will afford means to suppress the troubles in la Vendée; for, at any sacrifice, these troubles must be suppressed. On this alone depends your external tranquillity.
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