Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson

Revolution and Reaction in Modern France Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1892. Excerpt: ... reverse the method:--" It is to ideology that we must attribute all the misfortunes experienced by France; to that obscure metaphysic which inquires minutely into first causes, and endeavours to make them the basis of legislation, instead of adapting laws to our knowledge of the human heart and to the lessons of history. Such errors were bound to lead, as they did, to the reign of the men of blood. In fact, who was it that proclaimed as a duty the principle of insurrection? who was it that flattered the people by attributing to them a sovereignty which they were incapable of exercising? who was it that destroyed the sanctity and authority of the laws by making them dependent not on the sacred principles of justice, on the nature of things, and on law, but merely on the will of an assembly whose members had no acquaintance with the civil, criminal, administrative, political, and military institutions? When one is called to regenerate a State it is the directly opposite principles that one must take as one's guide; it is in history that the advantages and inconveniences of the various systems of laws are to be sought." § 2. Napoleon And Equality. While he was thus opposed to the spirit of the Revolution, Napoleon readily accepted the position it had made: he had no desire to restore the Bourbons and feudalism; on the contrary, the destruction of the ancien regime was the presupposition of all his work: it was that which he conceived to be the essential work of the Eevolution; and it was his acceptance of that which led him to declare "I am the Eevolution:" all that was feasible and fruitful in the movement he believed to be summed up in himself; and he expressed it all in the motto "La carriere ouverte aux talens:" privilege, once for all, was abolishe...