The consequence of this was the frequent division and frequent reunion of the same territory, which were productive of infinite mischief; many various principles of succession gave titles to some, pretensions to more; and plots, cabals, and crimes could not be wanting to all the pretenders.
Burke discusses the chaos resulting from unclear succession principles, leading to political instability and conflict.
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A state without the means of some change is without the means of its conservation.
Who could conceive that men who are habitually meddling, daring, subtle, active, of litigious dispositions and unquiet minds, would easily fall back into their old condition of obscure contention, and laborious, low, and unprofitable…
The engagement and pact of society, which generally goes by the name of the Constitution, forbids such invasion and such surrender.
Their trust for the future preservation of the Constitution was not in future revolutions.
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