My firm conviction is that, in our country, universal suffrage is
incompatible, not with this or that form of government, but with
all forms of government, and with everything for the sake of
which forms of government exist; that it is incompatible with
property, and that it is consequently incompatible with
civilisation.

It is not necessary for me in this place to go through the
arguments which prove beyond dispute that on the security of
property civilisation depends; that, where property is insecure,
no climate however delicious, no soil however fertile, no
conveniences for trade and navigation, no natural endowments of
body or of mind, can prevent a nation from sinking into
barbarism; that where, on the other hand, men are protected in
the enjoyment of what has been created by their industry and laid
up by their self-denial, society will advance in arts and in
wealth notwithstanding the sterility of the earth and the
inclemency of the air, notwithstanding heavy taxes and
destructive wars. Those persons who say that England has been
greatly misgoverned, that her legislation is defective, that her
wealth has been squandered in unjust and impolitic contests with
America and with France, do in fact bear the strongest testimony
to the truth of my doctrine. For that our country has made and
is making great progress in all that contributes to the material
comfort of man is indisputable. If that progress cannot be
ascribed to the wisdom of the Government, to what can we ascribe
it but to the diligence, the energy, the thrift of individuals?
And to what can we ascribe that diligence, that energy, that
thrift, except to the security which property has during many
generations enjoyed here? Such is the power of this great