all the productive faculties.--Destructive effect of the
Jacobin system.

Among the precious products, the most precious and important are,
evidently, the animated instruments, namely the men, since they produce
the rest. The object then, is to fashion men capable of physical,
mental or moral labor, the most energetic, the most persistent, the most
skillful and most productive; now, we already know the conditions of
their formation. It is essential and sufficient, that the vivacious
sources, described above, should flow there, on the spot, each through
its natural outlet, and under the control of the owner. On this
condition the jet becomes more vigorous, for the acquired impetus
increases the original outflow; the producer becomes more and more
skillful, since 'practice makes perfect.' Those around him likewise
become better workmen, inasmuch as they find encouragement in his
success and avail themselves of his discoveries.--Thus, simply because
the State respects, and enforces respect, for these individual sources
in private hands, it develops in individuals, as well as in those around
them, the will and the talent for producing much and well, the faculty
for, and desire to, keep on producing more and better; in other words,
all sorts of energies and capacities, each of its own kind and in its
own place, with all compatible fullness and efficiency. Such is the
office, and the sole office, of the State, first in relation to the
turbid and frigid springs issuing from selfishness and self-conceit,
whose operations demand its oversight, and next for still stronger
reasons, in relation to the warm and pure springs whose beneficence is
unalloyed, as in the family affections and private friendships; again,
in relation to those rarer and higher springs, such as the love of
beauty, the yearning for truth, the spirit of association, patriotism
and love of mankind; and, finally, for still stronger reasons, in
relation to the two most sacred and salutary of all springs, conscience
which renders will subject to duty, and honor which makes will the
support of justice. Let the State prevent, as well as abstain from, any
interference with either; let this be its object and nothing more; its
abstention is as necessary as its vigilance. Let it guard both, and
it will see everywhere growing spontaneously, hourly, each in degree
according to conditions of time and place, the most diligent and most
competent workmen, the agriculturi