On the contrary, the less a dictator is responsible for his
actions by the terms of the Constitution, the more does he become so
in the eyes of posterity. History will reproach him for the good he
has failed to do, when he could do everything; and his omissions will
be accounted to him for crimes.
I will add, that under no circumstances should the dictatorship last
long. Not only would it be an absurdity to attempt to make it
hereditary, but the man who should think of exercising it perpetually
would be insane. A sick patient allows himself to be bound by the
surgeon who is about to save his life; but when the operation is over
he demands to be set at liberty. Nations act in a like manner. From
the day when the benefits conferred by the master cease to compensate
for the loss of liberty, the nation demands the restoration of its
rights, and a wise dictator will comply with the demand.
I have often conversed in the Papal States with enlightened and
honourable men, who rank as the heads of the middle class. They have
said to me almost unanimously:--
"If a man were to drop down from Heaven among us with
sufficient power to cut to the root of abuses, to reform the
administration, to send the priests to church and the
Austrians to Vienna, to promulgate a civil code, make the
country healthy, restore the plains to cultivation,
encourage manufactures, give freedom to commerce, construct
railways, secularize education, propagate modern ideas, and
put us into a condition to bear comparison with the most
enlightened countries in Europe, we would fall at his feet,
and obey him as we do God.
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