The Third Estate should, therefore, conceive of itself in two ways.
Under the first of these conceptions it will think of itself as only an order.
From this perspective there will be no point in entirely unsettling the
prejudices of ancient barbarism. The Third Estate will continue to recognize
two other orders in the State without, however, crediting them with
any more influence than is compatible with the nature of things. It will
show them every possible regard by agreeing to leave its own rights in
doubt until the decision by the supreme judge.
Under the second conception the Third Estate is the Nation. In this
quality its representatives will form the whole National Assembly and
will have all of its powers. Since they are the only trustees of the general
will, they do not need to consult those who mandated them about a disagreement
that does not exist. If it is their responsibility to call for a constitution,
they will do so with one accord. Doubtless they will always be
willing to subject themselves to the laws it may please the Nation to give
them. But they do not need to refer any possible question arising from
the plurality of orders to the Nation. As far as they are concerned, there
is but one, single order, or rather there are none, because there is only the
Nation for the Nation.
Convening an extraordinary deputation to settle, above all else, the
great matter of the constitution or, at the least, investing one deputation
with a new, special power, as has been explained above, is therefore the
surest way to put an end to present dissension and prevent the possibility
of trouble within the Nation. Even if there were nothing to fear, it would
still be a necessary measure to take because, whether or not we remain
calm, it is impossible for us to continue without knowing and taking possession
of our political rights. The need to do so will be seen to be all the
more pressing if it is recognized that political rights are the only guaran-
152 Political Writings
tee of civil rights and individual liberty. Readers are invited to give this
proposition careful thought.