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BABEUF'S CONSPIRACY.
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2. If every species of labour were to receive the same recompence, there would no longer exist any motive for pursuing those scientific researches, which produce dis* coveries useful to society.

I answer, 1st, It is easy to make every one understand that a few hours' occupation per day would secure to every individual the means of living agreeably, and permanently relieve him from those anxieties by which we are now continually undermined; and surely the man who now slaves himself to exhaustion in order to have a little, would work a little in order to have much. Moreover, the objection rests entirely upon the disagreeable idea we are accustomed to form of labour, which, if wisely and universally distributed, would become in our system a mild and delightful occupation, of which no person would have either the inclination or interest to elude his share.

2d. It is, I think, a well ascertained fact that the progress of science depends more on the love of glory than on the avidity for riches; and in this case, our society, truly philosophic, embodying every possible means of effectually and impartially honouring its benefactors, would have therefore a right to expect more from science than our present corrupted associations, in which genius and virtue, despised and devoted to indigence, have the mortification to behold folly and crime almost invariably loaded with riches and honour.

I have said enough to satisfy my readers in good earnest, that the principle of avidity and selfishness, which forms the basis of all our present institutions, is detestable; and that to terminate for ever the agitations, misfortunes, and tyrannies which divide and oppress us, we must replace ourselves in a veritable state of society, where each individual, having equal stake and interest, may derive an equal profit; for all the reasonings of the political economists will never convince men of sense and honesty that it is supremely just that those who do nothing should possess every thing, and chain down, brutalize, and maltreat those who doing everything, possess almost nothing.

Citizen M. V. presents as another objection to our