Read the excerpt from Federalist #39 and answer the question that follows:

"It is essential to such a government that it be derived from the great body of the society, not from an inconsiderable proportion, or a favored class of it; otherwise a handful of tyrannical nobles, exercising their oppressions by a delegation of their powers, might aspire to the rank of republicans, and claim for their government the honorable title of republic. It is sufficient for such a government that the persons administering it be appointed, either directly or indirectly, by the people; and that they hold their appointments by either of the tenures just specified; otherwise, every government in the United States, as well as every other popular government that has been or can be well organized or well executed, would be degraded from the republican character."

Which statement best expresses the central idea of the passage?

A. In order to successfully be a republic, the United States should choose an emperor based on a set of guidelines.
B. The United States will only be successful if run by those with power and money, as they always have the best character.
C. People elected to government office should have limitless power for however long they individually see fit.
D. The United States will find success under a republican government, in which the people have a voice through elected officials.