8.8. 8. Danger of the Corruption of the Principle of monarchical Government.
The danger is not when the state passes from one moderate to another
moderate government, as from a republic to a monarchy, or from a
monarchy to a republic; but when it is precipitated from a moderate to a
despotic government.
Most of the European nations are still governed by the principles of
morality. But if from a long abuse of power or the fury of conquest,
despotic sway should prevail to a certain degree, neither morals nor
climate would be able to withstand its baleful influence: and then human
nature would be exposed, for some time at least, even in this beautiful
part of the world, to the insults with which she has been abused in the
other three.
