In accepting the Constitution, he thought that its defects would be revealed in practical operation and that they would lead to a reform.

In the mean time he scrupulously observed the Constitution, and, through interest as well as conscience, kept his oath to the letter.

"The most faithful execution of the Constitution," he said to one of his ministers, "is the surest way to make the nation see the changes that ought to be made in it."[2376]--In other words, he counted on experience, and it is very probable that if there had been nothing to interfere with experience, his calculations would have finally chosen between the defenders of order and the instigators of disorder.

It would have decided for the magistrates against the clubs, for the police against rioters, for the king against the mob.

In one or two years more it would have learned that a restoration of the executive power was indispensable for securing the execution of the laws; that the chief of police, with his hands tied, could not do his duty; that it was undoubtedly wise to give him his orders, but that if he was to be of any use against knaves and fools, his hands should first be set free.
V .-- Effects of the war on the common people.
Its alarms and fury .-- The second revolutionary outburst and its characteristics .-- Alliance of the Girondists with the mob .-- The red cap and pikes .-- Universal substitution of government by force for government by law.
Just the contrary with war; the aspect of things changes, and the alternative is the other way.