‘But suppose the case of an arbitrary Sovereign, what would be your check against him?’
‘The same as against an arbitrary Parliament.’
‘But a Parliament is responsible.’
‘To whom?’
‘To their constituent body.’
‘Suppose it was to vote itself perpetual?’
‘But public opinion would prevent that.’
‘And is public opinion of less influence on an individual than on a body?’
‘But public opinion may be indifferent. A nation may be misled, may be corrupt.’
‘If the nation that elects the Parliament be corrupt, the elected body will resemble it. The nation that is corrupt deserves to fall. But this only shows that there is something to be considered beyond forms of government, national character. And herein mainly should we repose our hopes. If a nation be led to aim at the good and the great, depend upon it, whatever be its form, the government will respond to its convictions and its sentiments.’