Part 15 (1/2)

But a civilized nations surely the producers of riches are now beco to defend theer robbed? They are as much so as ever, and moreover they rob one another

The only difference is that Spoliation has changed her agent She acts no longer by _Force_, but by _Cunning_

To rob the public, it is necessary to deceive them To deceive them, it is necessary to persuade thee, and to induce theinary services, and often worse Hence spring _Sophisms_ in all their varieties Then, since Force is held in check, _Sophistry_ is no longer only an evil; it is the genius of evil, and requires a check in its turn This check htenment of the public, which must be rendered er_ than the strong

GOOD PUBLIC! I now dedicate to you this first essay; though it ely transposed, and the Dedication a little tardy

PART II

SOPHISMS OF PROTECTION

SECOND SERIES

”The request of Industry to the governenes to Alexander: 'Stand out of my sunshi+ne'”--BENTHAM

I

NATURAL HISTORY OF SPOLIATION

Why do I give myself up to that dry science, political econonant in its nature that one has the right to ask of what use it is

Let us examine and see

I do not address myself to those philosophers who, if not in their own names, at least in the name of humanity, profess to adore poverty

I speak to those who hold wealth in esteem--and understand by this word, not the opulence of the few, but the co, the security, the independence, the instruction, the dignity of all

There are only tays by which the means essential to the preservation, the adornment and the perfection of life may be obtained--production and spoliation Some persons may say: ”Spoliation is an accident, a local and transient abuse, denounced by morality, punished by the law, and unworthy the attention of political economy”

Still, however benevolent or optimistic one may be, he is compelled to admit that spoliation is practiced on so vast a scale in this world, and is so generally connected with all great human events, that no social science, and, least of all, political econoo farther That which prevents the perfection of the social system (at least in so far as it is capable of perfection) is the constant effort of its members to live and prosper at the expense of each other

So that, if spoliation did not exist, society being perfect, the social sciences would be without an object

I go still farther When spoliation becomes a means of subsistence for a body of men united by social ties, in course of tilorifies it

It is enough to name some of the best defined forms of spoliation to indicate the position it occupies in hues the conqueror kills the conquered, to obtain an uncontested, if not incontestable, right to game

Next slavery When man learns that he can make the earth fruitful by labor, he makes this division with his brother: ”You work and I eat”

Then coive or refuse ates of heaven or of hell”