His functions of internal coercion are as odious as
those which he exercises in the department of justice. If relief is to
be given to any municipality, the Assembly gives it. If troops are
to be sent to reduce them to obedience to the Assembly, the king is to
execute the order; and upon every occasion he is to be spattered
over with the blood of his people. He has no negative; yet his name
and authority is used to enforce every harsh decree. Nay, he must
concur in the butchery of those who shall attempt to free him from his
imprisonment or show the slightest attachment to his person or to
his ancient authority.
Executive magistracy ought to be constituted in such a manner that
those who compose it should be disposed to love and to venerate
those whom they are bound to obey. A purposed neglect or, what is
worse, a literal but perverse and malignant obedience must be the ruin
of the wisest counsels. In vain will the law attempt to anticipate
or to follow such studied neglects and fraudulent attentions. To
make them act zealously is not in the competence of law. Kings, even
such as are truly kings, may and ought to bear the freedom of subjects
that are obnoxious to them. They may, too, without derogating from
themselves, bear even the authority of such persons if it promotes
their service. Louis the Thirteenth mortally hated the Cardinal de
Richelieu, but his support of that minister against his rivals was the
source of all the glory of his reign and the solid foundation of his
throne itself.
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