Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/430

 392 Readings in Europeaii History After tracing the growth of public opinion in France, Necker continues : 393. Necker A great many foreigners, from various causes, cannot on the sway nave a j us t notion of the authority that is exercised in France opinion in by public opinion. They cannot comprehend the nature of France. an invisible power which, destitute of treasury, of guards and armies, dictates its laws in the capital, in the court, and even in the king's palace. Nevertheless nothing is more true nor more remarkable ; and we shall cease to wonder at it if we reflect on what must be the consequences of the spirit of society when that spirit has an unbounded sway over a sensible people, who love not only to judge but to make a figure in the world ; who are not divided by polit- ical interests, weakened by despotism, or overcome by tur- bulent passions ; lastly, over a nation in which, perhaps, a general propensity to imitation produces a multiplicity of opinions and weakens the force of those that are too singu- lar, so that being commonly united together, and resembling billows that are more or less impetuous, they have a very powerful ascendant while they are in motion. . . . Let us appreciate the full value of so salutary an author- ity ; let us rally ourselves, in order to defend it against those it annoys and who would destroy it. It is that authority alone which sets bounds to the mischievous progress of in- difference : in the midst of a depraved age its voice alone is attended to, and it seems to preside in the tribunal of honor. I will go still farther : it is the ascendency of public opin- ion that opposes more obstacles in France to the abuse of power than any other consideration whatsoever. Yes, it is entirely by that opinion, and the esteem in which it is still held, that the nation has a kind of influence, by having it in its power to reward with praise, or punish with contempt. If ever that opinion is entirely despised, or if it ever grows too weak, then liberty will lose its principal support, and there will be a greater necessity than ever that the sovereign should be virtuous and his ministers moderate. . . . Preambles to edicts are a form peculiar to the French government. Under the empire of despotism the sovereign