, 1793). The spokesman for the committee that
had framed the bill makes excuses for not having deprived the father of
all the disposable portion. "The committee believed that such a clause
would seriously violate our customs without being of any benefit to
society or of any moral advantage. We assured ourselves, moreover,
that there should always be a division of property." With respect
to donations: "It is repugnant to all ideas of beneficence to allow
donations to the rich. Nature is averse to the making of such gifts
so long as our eyes dwell on misery and misfortune. These affecting
considerations have determined us to fix a point, a sort of maximum,
which prohibits gifts on the part of those who have reached that
point."]

[Footnote 2160: Moniteur, XII., 730, (June 22, 1792), speech by
Lamarque.--But this principle is encountered everywhere. "Equality,
indeed, (is) the final aim of social art." (Condorcet, 'Tableau des
progres de l'esprit humain," II., 59.--"We desired," writes Baudot, "to
apply to politics the equality which the Gospel awards to Christians."
(Quinet, "Revolution Francaise, II., 407.)]

[Footnote 2161: Buchez et Roux, XXXV, 296 (The words of
Saint-Just.)--Moniteur, XVIII, 505 (Ordinance of the Paris Commune,
Frimaire 3, year II). "Wealth and Poverty must alike disappear under the
regime of equality."]

[Footnote 2162: Ib. XXXV, 296 ("Institutions" by Saint-Just). "A man is
not made for trades, nor for a workhouse nor for an alms-house; all this
is frightful."--Ibid., XXXI., 312. (Report of Saint-Just, Ventose 8,
year II.) "Let all Europe see that you will not allow a miserable man on
French territory!... Happiness is a new idea in Europe."]

[Footnote 2163: Ib. XXXV, 296 ("Institutions" by Saint-Just.)]

[Footnote 2164: Moniteur, XX, 444 ( Report by Barere, Floreal 22, year
II). "Mendicity is incompatible with popular government."]

[Footnote 2165: Ib., XIX., 568. (Report by Saint-Just, Ventose 8, year
II.)]

[Footnote 2166: Ib., XX, 448 (Rapport by Barere, Floreal 22).]

[Footnote 2167: Ibid., XIX., 568. (Report by Saint-Just, Ventose 8, and
decree of Ventose 13.) "The Committee of Public Safety will report on
the means of indemnifying the unfortunate with property belonging to the
enemies of the Revolution."]

[Footnote 2168: Ibid., XIX., 484. (Report by Barere, Ventose 21, year
II.)--Ibid., XX., 445. (Report by Barere, Floreal 22, year II.)--Decrees
on public assistance, June 28, 1793