It is not in nature that, situated as
the king of the French now is, he can respect himself or can be
respected by others.
View this new executive officer on the side of his political
capacity, as he acts under the orders of the National Assembly. To
execute laws is a royal office; to execute orders is not to be a king.
However, a political executive magistracy, though merely such, is a
great trust. It is a trust indeed that has much depending upon its
faithful and diligent performance, both in the person presiding in
it and in all its subordinates. Means of performing this duty ought to
be given by regulation; and dispositions toward it ought to be infused
by the circumstances attendant on the trust. It ought to be
environed with dignity, authority, and consideration, and it ought
to lead to glory. The office of execution is an office of exertion. It
is not from impotence we are to expect the tasks of power. What sort
of person is a king to command executory service, who has no means
whatsoever to reward it? Not in a permanent office; not in a grant
of land; no, not in a pension of fifty pounds a year; not in the
vainest and most trivial title. In France, the king is no more the
fountain of honor than he is the fountain of justice. All rewards, all
distinctions are in other hands. Those who serve the king can be
actuated by no natural motive but fear- by a fear of everything except
their master.
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