Page:The Royal Family of France (Henry).djvu/75

 and idle men, ever on the scent for better times, ever ready to oppose Law and to overthrow liberty, wicked, perverse, and perjured men." "The age that witnessed the fall of Monarchy," wrote the illustrious M. Guizot, "saw its resurrection. The men who overthrew it restored it; the powers it condemned had been absorbed into it; it gives to social life in the past and in the future that breadth and stability which are so essentially necessary to our age." All the experience of the last three or four years is of service to understand the inactivity and retirement of French Republicans who have tasted the "sweets" of office. They are behaving in an amazingly prudent manner now!

A few weeks ago, in the form of a Letter to the notorious advocate of marriage divorce for French people, Alexandre Dumas fils explained to M. Naquet his reasons for not adhering to the Republic. He "prefers to remain independent" (we regret A. Dumas' indifference), but "confesses a decided leaning towards a constitutional monarchy, which in England has produced many great statesmen; whereas, with the exception of the honoured Lazare Nicholas Carnot, the three Republics have seen none." Dumas wittily argues with full truth, that "when one man rules he can be kept in order; but when all are kings; what is to be done with them if they prove restive? Universal franchise has to be flattered like a Sovereign, for Sovereign it is, only it is a Sovereign with millions of arms, a stomach, no head, and a crown on. It is something like a crab with a sidelong action."

Stability in social and political life is all the more needful when we consider that the foundation of new dynasties upheaves with violence and agitation, with awful struggles and loss of life the age in which they occur. It is only by the struggle between opposite interests or rival ambitions that the stronger or the cleverer leader ends by compelling submission; and it is only when this submission is given unanimously and voluntarily that his authority is established.

From this universally-felt need sprung the principle of succession to the Throne, to see a Sovereign on the Throne "par son droit." This principle is a natural development, it could not but exist. The conviction as to its utility caused it to be adopted. It has taken the name of genuine, lawful succession, or legitimacy.