We have the stubborn commons, but where is our martial nobility? That’s what our founders were. Where are they now?
That was written in the mid to late 1700’s when the nobility still excercised power in Britain and was written about Rome where the nobility was the main impediment to the Emperor’s powers. I think his reference to a martial nobility was a reference to that. That would equate today to a leadership among our elites willing to stand between the “prince” and absolute power.