text:  The doctrine is somewhat obscurely stated and not with the precision which in general distinguishes the French writers; but the import of it seems to be this--That no system of government can long exist among men unless it is substantially and in the majority of cases founded in reason and justice and sanctioned by experienced utility for the people among whom it exists; and therefore that we may predicate with perfect certainty of any institution which has been generally extended and long established that it has been upon the whole beneficial and should be modified or altered with a very cautious hand