Socialist Up to a Certain Point
I was traveling in a Department of the South after the Revolution of February. I met one day a Mayor of a village, proprietor of a metairie. "Sir," said he to me, "what do they mean down there at Paris by that word 'Communism?' It is some sluggard's business is it not? So, at least, our curate says." "It is a system of partition," replied I, "invented once on a time by a dreamer." "That the man who had a million francs should share it with the Commune." His eye brightened. "Not a bad dream, either," said he. "But further," I resumed, "that the man who has 100,000 francs should abandon the half to his neighbor." "Well, he would still have enough with the other half." "Then, that the man who has 50,000 francs should come down to 25,000 francs, through spirit of fraternity." The face of the Mayor assumed a thoughtful tinge. "That may still do." "Lastly, that the man who possesses 25,000 francs"— "Twenty-five thousand francs," he interrupted, springing up with a bound, "that's the value of my farm; let him who would have a vine-stock belonging to it come and seek it. He will see how I will receive him, at the end of my musket."