like a river, whilst a hundred thousand unfortunate people, weak and
powerless, are in need of a mouthful of bread. There is neither equality
nor brotherhood. So you see that general peace and joy are destroyed, the
welfare of humanity is partially annihilated, and that collective life is
fruitless. Indeed, fortune, honors, commerce, industry are in the hands of
some industrials, whilst other people are submitted to quite a series of
difficulties and to limitless troubles: they have neither advantages nor
profits, nor comforts, nor peace.

Then rules and laws should be established to regulate the excessive
fortunes of certain private individuals, and limit the misery of millions
of the poor masses; thus a certain moderation would be obtained. However,
absolute equality is just as impossible, for absolute equality in
fortunes, honors, commerce, agriculture, industry, would end in a want of
comfort, in discouragement, in disorganization of the means of existence,
and in universal disappointment: the order of the community would be quite
destroyed. Thus, there is a great wisdom in the fact that equality is not
imposed by law: it is, therefore, preferable for moderation to do its
work. The main point is, by means of laws and regulations to hinder the
constitution of the excessive fortunes of certain individuals, and to
protect the essential needs of the masses. For instance, the manufacturers
and the industrials heap up a treasure each day, and the poor artisans do
not gain their daily sustenance: that is the height of iniquity, and no
just man can accept it. Therefore, laws and regulations should be
established which would permit the workmen to receive from the factory
owner their wages and a share in the fourth or the fifth part of the
profits, according to the wants of the factory; or in some other way the
body of workmen and the manufacturers should share equitably the profits
and advantages. Indeed, the direction and administration of affairs come
from the owner of the factory, and the work and labor, from the body of
the workmen. In other words, the workmen should receive wages which assure
them an adequate support, and when they cease work, becoming feeble or
helpless, they should receive from the owner of the factory a sufficient
pension. The wages should be high enough to satisfy the workmen with the
amount they receive, so that they may be able to put a little aside for
days of want and helplessness.

When matter