Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/457

 The French Revolution 419 applauded their disappearance, feeling that they gained rather than lost thereby. A vexatious feudal system, power- ful even in its ruin, covered the whole of France ; it has now disappeared, never to return. In the provinces you were subject to a harassing administration; from this you have been freed. Arbitrary commands threatened the liberty of the citizens ; they have been done away with. You desired a complete organization of the municipalities ; this you have just received, and the creation of these bodies, chosen by your votes, offers, at this moment, a most imposing spectacle. At the same time the National Assembly has finished the task of a new division of the kingdom, which alone might serve to remove the last trace of former prejudices, substitute for provincial selfishness the true love for one's country, and serve as the basis of a just system of representation. 1 . . . This, Frenchmen, is our work, or rather yours, for we are only your organ, and you have enlightened, encouraged, and sustained us in our labors. What a glorious period is this which we at last enjoy ! How honorable the heritage which you may transmit to your posterity! Raised to the rank of citizens; admissible to every form of employment; enlight- ened censors of the administration when it is not actually in your hands; certain that all will be done by you and for you ; equal before the law ; free to act, to speak, to write ; owing no account to individuals but always to the common will ; — what condition more happy! Is there a single citizen worthy of the name who would dare look back, who would rebuild once more the ruins which surround us, in order again to contemplate the former structure? Yet what has not been said and done to weaken the natural impressions which such advantages should produce upon you? It is urged that we have destroyed everything; Sons made everything must, then, be reconstructed. But what is there against it. which need be so much regretted? If we would know, let those be questioned in regard to the objects of reform 1 The enumeration of a few further reforms is here omitted. The Assembly notes the abolition of the sale of offices and the partial extinction of the salt tax. The Assem- bly replies to the accusa-