Answer: Had France remained at peace, her peaceful citizens, her idle warriors would have observed the [emperor], would have judged him, and would have communicated their judgments to him. Truth would have passed through the ranks of the people. Usurpation* would not have long withstood the influence of truth. Thus [Napoleon] Bonaparte was compelled to distract public attention by [war]. War flung onto distant shores that part of the French nation that still had some real energy. It prompted the police harassment of the timid, whom it could not force abroad. It struck terror into men's hearts and left there a certain hope that chance would take responsibility for their deliverance: a hope agreeable to fear and convenient to [the current government]. How many times have I heard men who were pressed to resist tyranny postponing this, during wartime till the coming of peace, and in peacetime until war commences!
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