study the
monarchical countries we will find that usually a dynasty is created
by a person who is capable of controlling the force of the entire
country and overthrowing other persons opposed to him, working
towards his goal with an undaunted spirit. If this man is capable of
ruling the nation and if he is a rare genius of the day, and the
conditions of the country are suited for a monarchical government,
he as a rule creates a new dynasty and his descendants inherit the
same from generation to generation.

If this is so, then the solution of a difficult position of a
country is to be found in a monarchy rather than a republic. For on
the death of a monarch no doubt exists as to who shall succeed him,
and there is no need of an election or other procedure. Englishmen
say, "The King is dead, Long live the King." This expresses the
point. But in order to attain this point it is necessary that the
law of succession be definitely defined and publicly approved;
otherwise there will not be lacking, on the death of the monarch,
men aspiring to the throne; and as no one is qualified to settle the
dispute for power, internal disturbance will be the result.

Historically speaking no law of succession is so permanently
satisfactory as that used by the nations of Europe. According to
this system the right of succession belongs to the eldest son of the
monarch, or failing him, the nearest and eldest male relative. The
right of succession, however, may be voluntarily surrendered by the
rightful successor if he so desires; thus if the eldest son declines
to succeed to the throne the second son takes his place. This is the
rule of Europe.

If instead of this law of a succession a system is adopted by which
the successor is chosen by the monarch from among his sons or
relatives without any provision being made for the rights of the
eldest son, disturbance will be the inevitable result. There will
not be a few who would like to take possession of the throne and
they will certainly plot in the very confines of the palace,
resulting in an increase of the sufferings of an aged monarch; and,
even if the disaster of civil war be avoided, much dispute will
arise owing to the uncertainty of the successor--a dangerous
situation indeed.

Such is the lesson we learn from history. The conclusion is,