The nobility and the clergy possessed three-fourths of the soil of France; they should have controlled three-fourths of the votes in the national representation.

To double the vote of the third estate was just, it is said, since the people paid nearly all the taxes.

This argument would be sound, if there were nothing to be voted upon but taxes.

But it was a question at that time of reforming the government and the constitution; consequently, the doubling of the vote of the third estate was a usurpation, and an attack on property.
2.

If the present representatives of the radical opposition should come into power, they would work a reform by which every National Guard should be an elector, and every elector eligible for office,--an attack on property.
They would lower the rate of interest on public funds,--an attack on property.
They would, in the interest of the public, pass laws to regulate the exportation of cattle and wheat,--an attack on property.
They would alter the assessment of taxes,--an attack on property.
They would educate the people gratuitously,--a conspiracy against property.
They would organize labor; that is, they would guarantee labor to the workingman, and give him a share in the profits,--the abolition of property.
Now, these same radicals are zealous defenders of property,--a radical proof that they know not what they do, nor what they wish.
3.