Our patience will achieve more than our force. If I might venture to
appeal to what is so much out of fashion in Paris, I mean to
experience, I should tell you that in my course I have known and,
according to my measure, have co-operated with great men; and I have
never yet seen any plan which has not been mended by the observation
of those who were much inferior in understanding to the person who
took the lead in the business. By a slow but well-sustained progress
the effect of each step is watched; the good or ill success of the
first gives light to us in the second; and so, from light to light, we
are conducted with safety through the whole series. We see that the
parts of the system do not clash. The evils latent in the most
promising contrivances are provided for as they arise. One advantage
is as little as possible sacrificed to another. We compensate, we
reconcile, we balance. We are enabled to unite into a consistent whole
the various anomalies and contending principles that are found in
the minds and affairs of men. From hence arises, not an excellence
in simplicity, but one far superior, an excellence in composition.
Where the great interests of mankind are concerned through a long
succession of generations, that succession ought to be admitted into
some share in the councils which are so deeply to affect them. If
justice requires this, the work itself requires the aid of more
minds than one age can furnish.
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