Local Self-Government is not admirable at New York; it works less well than it once did in New England; it does not produce very happy effects in London parishes; we may well doubt whether it be really suited for modern France.

Local Self-Government where it flourishes is quite as much a result as a cause of a happy social condition; the eulogies bestowed upon it contain a curious mixture of truth and falsehood.

What is true is, that where self-government flourishes, society is in a sound state; what is false is, that Local Self-Government produces a sound state of society.

The primary condition necessary for the success of self-government is harmony between different classes.

The rich must be the guides of the poor, the poor must put trust in the rich.