Constitution can in the long run be worth much more than the waste-paper
it is written on? The Constitution, the set of Laws, or prescribed
Habits of Acting, that men will live under, is the one which images
their Convictions,--their Faith as to this wondrous Universe, and what
rights, duties, capabilities they have there; which stands sanctioned
therefore, by Necessity itself, if not by a seen Deity, then by an
unseen one. Other laws, whereof there are always enough ready-made, are
usurpations; which men do not obey, but rebel against, and abolish, by
their earliest convenience.

The question of questions accordingly were, Who is it that especially
for rebellers and abolishers, can make a Constitution? He that can image
forth the general Belief when there is one; that can impart one when,
as here, there is none. A most rare man; ever as of old a god-missioned
man! Here, however, in defect of such transcendent supreme man, Time
with its infinite succession of merely superior men, each yielding his
little contribution, does much. Force likewise (for, as Antiquarian
Philosophers teach, the royal Sceptre was from the first something of
a Hammer, to crack such heads as could not be convinced) will all along
find somewhat to do. And thus in perpetual abolition and reparation,
rending and mending, with struggle and strife, with present evil and the
hope and effort towards future good, must the Constitution, as all human
things do, build itself forward; or unbuild itself, and sink, as it
can and may. O Sieyes, and ye other Committeemen, and Twelve Hundred
miscellaneous individuals from all parts of France! What is the Belief
of France, and yours, if ye knew it? Properly that there shall be no
Belief; that all formulas be swallowed. The Constitution which will suit
that? Alas, too clearly, a No-Constitution, an Anarchy;--which also, in
due season, shall be vouchsafed you.