The monarchy or the republic correspond exactly amongst a people to the necessities of these two opposite conditions of society--repose or action.

We here understand two words; these two words, repose and action, in their most absolute acceptation; for there is repose in republics, as there is action in monarchies.
Is it a question of preservation, of reproduction, of development in that kind of slow and insensible growth which people have like vast vegetables?
Is it a question of keeping in harmony with the European balance of preserving its laws and manners; of maintaining its traditions, perpetuating opinions and worship, of guaranteeing properties and right conduct, of preventing troubles, agitation, factions?
The monarchy is evidently more proper for this than any other state of society.

It protects in lower classes that security which it desires for its own elevated condition.

It is order in essence and selfishness: order is its life--tradition its dogma, the nation is its heritage, religion its ally, aristocracies are its barrier against the invasions of the people.

It must preserve all this or perish.