Page:Essays on Political Economy (Bastiat).djvu/128

 turn. The hundred thousand mouths of the press and of the platform cry out all at once:&mdash;

"Organize labour and workmen. "Do away with egotism. "Repress insolence and the tyranny of capital. "Make experiments upon manure and eggs. "Cover the country with railways. "Irrigate the plains. "Plant the hills. "Make model farms. "Found social workshops. "Colonize Algeria. "Suckle children. "Instruct the youth. "Assist the aged. "Send the inhabitants of towns into the country. "Equalize the profits of all trades. "Lend money without interest to all who wish to borrow. "Emancipate Italy, Poland, and Hungary. "Rear and perfect the saddle-horse. "Encourage the arts, and provide us musicians and dancers, "Restrict commerce, and at the same time create a merchant navy. "Discover truth, and put a grain of reason into our heads. The mission of Government is to enlighten, to develop, to extend, to fortify, to spiritualize, and to sanctify the soul of the people."

"Do have a little patience, gentlemen," says Government in a beseeching tone. "I will do what I