He has no generous interest that can
excite him to action. At best, his conduct will be passive and
defensive. To inferior people such an office might be matter of honor.
But to be raised to it, and to descend to it, are different things and
suggest different sentiments. Does he really name the ministers?
They will have a sympathy with him. Are they forced upon him? The
whole business between them and the nominal king will be mutual
counteraction. In all other countries, the office of ministers of
state is of the highest dignity. In France it is full of peril, and
incapable of glory. Rivals, however, they will have in their
nothingness, whilst shallow ambition exists in the world, or the
desire of a miserable salary is an incentive to short-sighted avarice.
Those competitors of the ministers are enabled by your constitution to
attack them in their vital parts, whilst they have not the means of
repelling their charges in any other than the degrading character of
culprits. The ministers of state in France are the only persons in
that country who are incapable of a share in the national councils.
What ministers! What councils! What a nation!- But they are
responsible. It is a poor service that is to be had from
responsibility. The elevation of mind to be derived from fear will
never make a nation glorious. Responsibility prevents crimes. It makes
all attempts against the laws dangerous.
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