'It ought to respect the authority of all the agents of the Government, from the lowest to the highest, from the garde champêtre to the Ministers and the President of the Republic, for the agents of authority are the servants of the law, and all are chosen directly or indirectly, by the deputies of the people.
'The greater the rights of citizens, the greater their duties.
'It used to be said, Noblesse oblige. This meant: a nobleman ought to behave himself better than another, to be worthy of his nobility.
'It should now be said, Liberté oblige. This means that a free citizen ought to behave himself better than another, in order to be worthy of liberty.
'You have the duty of putting your name upon the electoral roll at the Mairie of the Commune in which you reside.
'You have the duty of voting, and you must vote according to your conscience.
'You have not the right of being indifferent to public affairs, and of saying that they do not concern you.
'You have an interest in securing to your Commune good Municipal Councillors, who will look well after the finances, will take care of the schools, and of the roads, and attend to all wants.
'You have an interest in securing to your Department good General Councillors, who will do for the Department what the Municipal Councillors do for the Commune.
'You have an interest in nominating good Deputies and good Senators, who may make useful and just laws, choose a President of the Republic worthy of that supreme honour, and keep the Government in good ways.