Men would reason, not unplausibly, that it would be better to get rid of the monarchy at once than to suffer that which was instituted, and well instituted, to support the glory of the nation, to become the instrument of its degradation and disgrace.
Burke suggests that if the monarchy becomes a source of national disgrace, people might prefer to abolish it altogether.
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Who could flatter himself that these men, suddenly, and as it were by enchantment, snatched from the humblest rank of subordination, would not be intoxicated with their unprepared greatness?
Though a king may abdicate for his own person, he cannot abdicate for the monarchy.
We procure reverence to our civil institutions on the principle upon which Nature teaches us to revere individual men: on account of their age, and on account of those from whom they are descended.
Their trust for the future preservation of the Constitution was not in future revolutions.
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