第3章
FEUDALPRINCIPLESANDMODERNTIMES。
Inthefirstplace,itisformed,inmanyrespects,uponFEUDAL
PRINCIPLES。Inthefeudaltimes,itwasnotuncommon,evenamongsubjects,forthelowestofficestobeheldbyconsiderablepersons;
personsasunfitbytheirincapacity,asimproperfromtheirrank,tooccupysuchemployments。Theywereheldbypatent,sometimesforlife,andsometimesbyinheritance。Ifmymemorydoesnotdeceiveme,apersonofnoslightconsiderationheldtheofficeofpatenthereditarycooktoanearlofWarwick。TheearlofWarwick’ssoups,Ifear,werenotthebetterforthedignityofhiskitchen。IthinkitwasanearlofGloucester,whoofficiatedasstewardofthehouseholdtothearchbishopsofCanterbury。InstancesofthesamekindmayinsomedegreebefoundintheNorthumberlandhouse-book,andotherfamilyrecords。
Therewassomereasoninancientnecessities,fortheseancientcustoms。
Protectionwaswanted;andthedomestictie,thoughtnotthehighest,wastheclosest。Theking’shouseholdhasnotonlyseveralstrongtracesofthisFEUDALITY,butitisformedalsoupontheprinciplesofaBODY
CORPORATE;ithasitsownmagistrates,courts,andby-laws。Thismightbenecessaryintheancienttimes,inordertohaveagovernmentwithinitself,capableofregulatingthevastandoftenunrulymultitudewhichcomposedandattendedit。ThiswastheoriginoftheancientcourtcalledtheGREENCLOTH——composedofthemarshal,treasurer,andothergreatofficersofthehousehold,withcertainclerks。Therichsubjectsofthekingdomwhohadformerlythesameestablishments(onlyonareducedscale)havesincealteredtheireconomy;andturnedthecourseoftheirexpensefromthemaintenanceofvastestablishmentswithintheirwalls,totheemploymentofagreatvarietyofindependenttradesabroad。Theirinfluenceislessened;butamodeofaccommodation,andastyleofsplendour,suitedtothemannersofthetimes,hasbeenincreased。Royaltyitselfhasinsensiblyfollowed;andtheroyalhouseholdhasbeencarriedawaybytheresistlesstideofmanners:butwiththisverymaterialdifference;——privatemenhavegotridoftheestablishmentsalongwiththereasonsofthem;whereastheroyalhouseholdhaslostallthatwasstatelyandvenerableintheantiquemanners,withoutretrenchinganythingofthecumbrouschargeofaGothicestablishment。Itisshrunkintothepolishedlittlenessofmoderneleganceandpersonalaccommodation;ithasevaporatedfromthegrossconcreteintoanessenceandrectifiedspiritofexpense,whereyouhavetunsofancientpompinavialofmodernluxury。
RESTRICTIVEVIRTUES。
Iknow,thatallparsimonyisofaqualityapproachingtounkindness;
andthat(onsomepersonorother)everyreformmustoperateasasortofpunishment。Indeed,thewholeclassofthesevereandrestrictivevirtuesareatamarketalmosttoohighforhumanity。Whatisworse,thereareveryfewofthosevirtueswhicharenotcapableofbeingimitated,andevenoutdone,inmanyoftheirmoststrikingeffects,bytheworstofvices。Malignityandenvywillcarvemuchmoredeeply,andfinishmuchmoresharply,intheworkofretrenchment,thanfrugalityandprovidence。Idonot,therefore,wonderthatgentlemenhavekeptawayfromsuchatask,aswellfromgood-natureasfromprudence。
Privatefeelingmight,indeed,beoverbornebylegislativereason;andamanofalongd-sightedandastrong-nervedhumanitymightbringhimself,notsomuchtoconsiderfromwhomhetakesasuperfluousenjoyment,asforwhomintheendhemaypreservetheabsolutenecessariesoflife。
LIBELLERSOFHUMANNATURE。
Ihopetherearenoneofyoucorruptedwiththedoctrinetaughtbywickedmenfortheworstpurposes,andreceivedbythemalignantcredulityofenvyandignorance,whichis,thatthemenwhoactuponthepublicstageareallalike;allequallycorrupt;allinfluencedbynootherviewsthanthesordidlureofsalaryandpension。ThethingIknowbyexperiencetobefalse。Neverexpectingtofindperfectioninmen,andnotlookingfordivineattributesincreatedbeings,inmycommercewithmycontemporaries,Ihavefoundmuchhumanvirtue。Ihaveseennotalittlepublicspirit;arealsubordinationofinteresttoduty;andadecentandregulatedsensibilitytohonestfameandreputation。Theageunquestionablyproduces(whetherinagreaterorlessnumberthanformertimes,Iknownot)daringprofligates,andinsidioushypocrites。Whatthen?AmInottoavailmyselfofwhatevergoodistobefoundintheworld,becauseofthemixtureofevilthatwillalwaysbeinit?Thesmallnessofthequantityincurrencyonlyheightensthevalue。Theywhoraisesuspicionsonthegoodonaccountofthebehaviourofillmen,areofthepartyofthelatter。Thecommoncantisnojustificationfortakingthisparty。Ihavebeendeceived,saythey,byTitiusandMaevius;Ihavebeenthedupeofthispretenderorofthatmountebank;
andIcantrustappearancesnolonger。Butmycredulityandwantofdiscernmentcannot,asIconceive,amounttoafairpresumptionagainstanyman’sintegrity。Aconscientiouspersonwouldratherdoubthisownjudgment,thancondemnhisspecies。Hewouldsay,Ihaveobservedwithoutattention,orjudgeduponerroneousmaxims;Itrustedtoprofession,whenIoughttohaveattendedtoconduct。Suchamanwillgrowwise,notmalignant,byhisacquaintancewiththeworld。Buthethataccusesallmankindofcorruption,oughttorememberthatheissuretoconvictonlyone。IntruthIshouldmuchratheradmitthose,whomatanytimeIhavedisrelishedthemost,tobepatternsofperfection,thanseekaconsolationtomyownunworthiness,inageneralcommunionofdepravitywithallaboutme。
REFUSALAREVENUE。
What(saysthefinancier)ispeacetouswithoutmoney?Yourplangivesusnorevenue。No!Butitdoes——foritsecurestothesubjectthepowerofREFUSAL;thefirstofallrevenues。Experienceisacheat,andfactaliar,ifthispowerinthesubjectofproportioninghisgrant,orofnotgrantingatall,hasnotbeenfoundtherichestmineofrevenueeverdiscoveredbytheskillorbythefortuneofman。Itdoesnotindeedvoteyou152,752pounds:11:23/4ths,noranyotherpaltrylimitedsum。Butitgivesthestrongboxitself,thefund,thebank,fromwhenceonlyrevenuescanariseamongstapeoplesensibleoffreedom:Positaluditurarca。CannotyouinEngland;cannotyouatthistimeofday;
cannotyou,aHouseofCommons,trusttotheprinciplewhichhasraisedsomightyarevenue,andaccumulatedadebtofnear140millionsinthiscountry?IsthisprincipletobetrueinEngland,andfalseeverywhereelse?IsitnottrueinIreland?Hasitnothithertobeentrueinthecolonies?Whyshouldyoupresume,that,inanycountry,abodydulyconstitutedforanyfunction,willneglecttoperformitsduty,andabdicateitstrust?Suchapresumptionwouldgoagainstallgovernmentsinallmodes。But,intruth,thisdreadofpenuryofsupply,fromafreeassembly,hasnofoundationinnature。Forfirstobserve,thatbesidesthedesirewhichallmenhavenaturallyofsupportingthehonouroftheirowngovernment,thatsenseofdignity,andthatsecuritytoproperty,whicheverattendfreedom,haveatendencytoincreasethestockofthefreecommunity。Mostmaybetakenwheremostisaccumulated。Andwhatisthesoilorclimatewhereexperiencehasnotuniformlyproved,thatthevoluntaryflowofheaped-upplenty,burstingfromtheweightofitsownrichluxuriance,haseverrunwithamorecopiousstreamofrevenue,thancouldbesqueezedfromthedryhusksofoppressedindigence,bythestrainingofallthepoliticmachineryintheworld。
APARTYMAN。
Theonlymethodwhichhaseverbeenfoundeffectualtopreserveanymanagainstthecorruptionofnatureandexample,isahabitoflifeandcommunicationofcounselswiththemostvirtuousandpublic-spiritedmenoftheageyoulivein。Suchasocietycannotbekeptwithoutadvantageordesertedwithoutshame。ForthisruleofconductImaybecalledinreproachaPARTYMAN;butIamlittleaffectedwithsuchaspersions。Inthewaywhichtheycallparty,Iworshiptheconstitutionofyourfathers;andIshallneverblushformypoliticalcompany。Allreverencetohonour,allideaofwhatitis,willbelostoutoftheworld,beforeitcanbeimputedasafaulttoanyman,thathehasbeencloselyconnectedwiththoseincomparablepersons,livinganddead,withwhomforelevenyearsIhaveconstantlythoughtandacted。IfIhavewanderedoutofthepathsofrectitudeintothoseofinterestedfaction,itwasincompanywiththeSaviles,theDowdeswells,theWentworths,theBentincks;withtheLenoxes,theManchesters,theKeppels,theSaunderses;withthetemperate,permanent,hereditaryvirtueofthewholehouseofCavendish;names,amongwhich,somehaveextendedyourfameandempireinarms,andallhavefoughtthebattleofyourlibertiesinfieldsnotlessglorious。These,andmanymorelikethese,graftingpublicprinciplesonprivatehonour,haveredeemedthepresentage,andwouldhaveadornedthemostsplendidperiodinyourhistory。
PATRIOTISMANDPUBLICINCOME。
IsitnotthesamevirtuewhichdoeseverythingforushereinEngland?
Doyouimagine,then,thatitistheland-taxwhichraisesyourrevenue?
thatitistheannualvoteinthecommitteeofsupply,whichgivesyouyourarmy?orthatitistheMutinyBill,whichinspiresitwithbraveryanddiscipline?No!surelyno!Itistheloveofthepeople;itistheirattachmenttotheirgovernment,fromthesenseofthedeepstaketheyhaveinsuchagloriousinstitution,whichgivesyouyourarmyandyournavy,andinfusesintoboththatliberalobedience,withoutwhichyourarmywouldbeabaserabble,andyournavynothingbutrottentimber。
Allthis,Iknowwellenough,willsoundwildandchimericaltotheprofaneherdofthosevulgarandmechanicalpoliticians,whohavenoplaceamongus;asortofpeoplewhothinkthatnothingexistsbutwhatisgrossandmaterial;andwhotherefore,farfrombeingqualifiedtobedirectorsofthegreatmovementofempire,arenotfittoturnawheelinthemachine。Buttomentrulyinitiatedandrightlytaught,theserulingandmasterprinciples,which,intheopinionofsuchmenasI
havementioned,havenosubstantialexistence,areintrutheverything,andallinall。Magnanimityinpoliticsisnotseldomthetruestwisdom;
andagreatempireandlittlemindsgoilltogether。Ifweareconsciousofoursituation,andglowwithzealtofillourplacesasbecomesourstationandourselves,weoughttoauspicateallourpublicproceedingsonAmerica,withtheoldwarningoftheChurch,Sursumcorda!WeoughttoelevateourmindstothegreatnessofthattrusttowhichtheorderofProvidencehascalledus。Byadvertingtothedignityofthishighcalling,ourancestorshaveturnedasavagewildernessintoagloriousempire;andhavemadethemostextensive,andtheonlyhonourableconquests,notbydestroying,butbypromotingthewealth,thenumber,thehappinessofthehumanrace。LetusgetanAmericanrevenueaswehavegotanAmericanempire。Englishprivilegeshavemadeitallthatitis;Englishprivilegesalonewillmakeitallitcanbe。
AMERICANPROTESTANTISM。
Ifanythingwerewantingtothisnecessaryoperationoftheformofgovernment,religionwouldhavegivenitacompleteeffect。Religion,alwaysaprincipleofenergy,inthisnewpeopleisnowaywornoutorimpaired;andtheirmodeofprofessingitisalsoonemaincauseofthisfreespirit。ThepeopleareProtestants;andofthatkindwhichisthemostadversetoallimplicitsubmissionofmindandopinion。Thisisapersuasionnotonlyfavourabletoliberty,butbuiltuponit。Idonotthink,Sir,thatthereasonofthisaversenessinthedissentingchurches,fromallthatlookslikeabsolutegovernment,issomuchtobesoughtintheirreligioustenets,asintheirhistory。EveryoneknowsthattheRomanCatholicreligionisatleastcoevalwithmostofthegovernmentswhereitprevails;thatithasgenerallygonehandinhandwiththem,andreceivedgreatfavourandeverykindofsupportfromauthority。TheChurchofEngland,too,wasformedfromhercradle,underthenursingcareofregulargovernment。Butthedissentinginterestshavesprungupindirectoppositiontoalltheordinarypowersoftheworld;andcouldjustifythatoppositiononlyonastrongclaimtonaturalliberty。Theirveryexistencedependedonthepowerfulandunremittedassertionofthatclaim。AllProtestantism,eventhemostcoldandpassive,isasortofdissent。Butthereligionmostprevalentinournortherncoloniesisarefinementontheprincipleofresistance;
itisthedissidenceofdissent,andtheProtestantismoftheProtestantreligion。
RIGHTOFTAXATION。
Iamresolvedthisdaytohavenothingatalltodowiththequestionoftherightoftaxation。Somegentlemenstartle,butitistrue;Iputittotallyoutofthequestion。Itislessthannothinginmyconsideration。Idonotindeedwonder,norwillyou,Sir,thatgentlemenofprofoundlearningarefondofdisplayingitonthisprofoundsubject。
Butmyconsiderationisnarrow,confined,andwhollylimitedtothepolicyofthequestion。Idonotexaminewhetherthegivingawayaman’smoneybeapowerexceptedandreservedoutofthegeneraltrustofgovernment;andhowfarallmankind,inallformsofpolity,areentitledtoanexerciseofthatrightbythecharterofnature。Orwhether,onthecontrary,arightoftaxationisnecessarilyinvolvedinthegeneralprincipleoflegislation,andinseparablefromtheordinarysupremepower。Thesearedeepquestions,wheregreatnamesmilitateagainsteachother;wherereasonisperplexed;andanappealtoauthoritiesonlythickenstheconfusion。Forhighandreverendauthoritiesliftuptheirheadsonbothsides;andthereisnosurefootinginthemiddle。ThispointistheGREATSERBONIANBOG,BETWIXT
DAMIATAANDMOUNTCASIUSOLD,WHEREARMIESWHOLEHAVESUNK。Idonotintendtobeoverwhelmedinthatbog,thoughinsuchrespectablecompany。Thequestionwithmeis,notwhetheryouhavearighttorenderyourpeoplemiserable;butwhetheritisnotyourinteresttomakethemhappy。ItisnotwhatalawyertellsmeIMAYdo;butwhathumanity,reason,andjusticetellmeIoughttodo。Isapoliticacttheworseforbeingagenerousone?Isnoconcessionproper,butthatwhichismadefromyourwantofrighttokeepwhatyougrant?Ordoesitlessenthegraceordignityofrelaxingintheexerciseofanodiousclaim,becauseyouhaveyourevidence-roomfulloftitles,andyourmagazinesstuffedwitharmstoenforcethem?Whatsignifyallthosetitles,andallthosearms?Ofwhatavailarethey,whenthereasonofthethingtellsme,thattheassertionofmytitleisthelossofmysuit;andthatIcoulddonothingbutwoundmyselfbytheuseofmyownweapons?
CONTRACTEDVIEWS。
Itisexceedinglycommonformentocontracttheirlovetotheircountryintoanattachmenttoitspettysubdivisions;andtheysometimesevenclingtotheirprovincialabuses,asiftheywerefranchisesandlocalprivileges。Accordingly,inplaceswherethereismuchofthiskindofestate,personswillbealwaysfoundwhowouldrathertrusttotheirtalentsinrecommendingthemselvestopowerfortherenewaloftheirinterests,thantoincumbertheirpurses,thoughneversolightly,inordertotransmitindependencetotheirposterity。Itisagreatmistake,thatthedesireofsecuringpropertyisuniversalamongmankind。Gamingisaprincipleinherentinhumannature。Itbelongstousall。Iwouldthereforebreakthosetables;Iwouldfurnishnoeviloccupationforthatspirit。Iwouldmakeeverymanlookeverywhere,excepttotheintrigueofacourt,fortheimprovementofhiscircumstances,orthesecurityofhisfortune。
ASSIMILATINGPOWEROFCONTACT。
Iamsurethattheonlymeansofcheckingprecipitatedegeneracyisheartilytoconcurwithwhateveristhebestinourtime;andtohavesomemorecorrectstandardofjudgingwhatthatbestis,thanthetransientanduncertainfavourofacourt。Ifonceweareabletofind,andcanprevailonourselvestostrengthen,aunionofsuchmen,whateveraccidentallybecomesindisposedtoill-exercisedpower,evenbytheordinaryoperationofhumanpassions,mustjoinwiththatsociety,andcannotlongbejoinedwithoutinsomedegreeassimilatingtoit。
Virtuewillcatchaswellasvicebycontact;andthepublicstockofhonest,manlyprinciplewilldailyaccumulate。Wearenottoonicelytoscrutinizemotivesaslongasactionisirreproachable。Itisenough(andforaworthymanperhapstoomuch)todealoutitsinfamytoconvictedguiltanddeclaredapostacy。
PRUDENCEOFTIMELYREFORM。
Butthereisatimewhenmenwillnotsufferbadthingsbecausetheirancestorshavesufferedworse。Thereisatimewhenthehoaryheadofinveterateabusewillneitherdrawreverencenorobtainprotection。Ifthenoblelordintheblueribandpleads“notguilty“tothechargesbroughtagainstthepresentsystemofpubliceconomy,itisnotpossibletogiveafairverdictbywhichhewillnotstandacquitted。Butpleadingisnotourpresentbusiness。Hispleaorhistraversemaybeallowedasananswertoacharge,whenachargeismade。Butifheputshimselfinthewaytoobstructreformation,thenthefaultsofhisofficeinstantlybecomehisown。Insteadofapublicofficerinanabusivedepartment,whoseprovinceisanobjecttoberegulated,hebecomesacriminalwhoistobepunished。Idomostseriouslyputittoadministration,toconsiderthewisdomofatimelyreform。Earlyreformationsareamicablearrangementswithafriendinpower;latereformationsaretermsimposeduponaconqueredenemy:earlyreformationsaremadeincoolblood;latereformationsaremadeunderastateofinflammation。Inthatstateofthingspeoplebeholdingovernmentnothingthatisrespectable。Theyseetheabuse,andtheywillseenothingelse:theyfallintothetemperofafuriouspopulaceprovokedatthedisorderofahouseofill-fame;theyneverattempttocorrectorregulate;theygotoworkbytheshortestway——theyabatethenuisance,theypulldownthehouse。
DIFFICULTIESOFREFORMERS。
Nothing,youknow,ismorecommonthanformentowish,andcallloudly,too,forareformation,who,whenitarrives,dobynomeansliketheseverityofitsaspect。Reformationisoneofthosepieceswhichmustbeputatsomedistanceinordertoplease。Itsgreatestfavourersloveitbetterintheabstractthaninthesubstance。Whenanyoldprejudiceoftheirown,oranyinterestthattheyvalue,istouched,theybecomescrupulous,theybecomecaptious,andeverymanhashisseparateexception。Somepluckouttheblackhairs,somethegray;onepointmustbegivenuptoone;anotherpointmustbeyieldedtoanother;nothingissufferedtoprevailuponitsownprinciple;thewholeissofrittereddown,anddisjointed,thatscarcelyatraceoftheoriginalschemeremains!Thus,betweentheresistanceofpower,andtheunsystematicalprocessofpopularity,theundertakerandtheundertakingarebothexposed,andthepoorreformerishissedoffthestagebothbyfriendsandfoes。
PHILOSOPHYOFCOMMERCE。
Ifhonestybetruepolicywithregardtothetransientinterestofindividuals,itismuchmorecertainlysowithregardtothepermanentinterestsofcommunities。Iknow,thatitisbuttoonaturalforustoseeourownCERTAINruininthePOSSIBLEprosperityofotherpeople。Itishardtopersuadeus,thateverythingwhichisGOTbyanotherisnotTAKENfromourselves。Butitisfitthatweshouldgetthebetterofthesesuggestions,whichcomefromwhatisnotthebestandsoundestpartofournature,andthatweshouldformtoourselvesawayofthinking,morerational,morejust,andmorereligious。Tradeisnotalimitedthing;asiftheobjectsofmutualdemandandconsumptioncouldnotstretchbeyondtheboundsofourjealousies。Godhasgiventheearthtothechildrenofmen,andhehasundoubtedly,ingivingittothem,giventhemwhatisabundantlysufficientforalltheirexigencies;notascanty,butamostliberal,provisionforthemall。Theauthorofournaturehaswrittenitstronglyinthatnature,andhaspromulgatedthesamelawinhiswrittenword,thatmanshalleathisbreadbyhislabour;andIampersuaded,thatnoman,andnocombinationofmen,fortheirownideasoftheirparticularprofit,can,withoutgreatimpiety,undertaketosay,thatheSHALLNOTdoso;thattheyhavenosortofright,eithertopreventthelabour,ortowithholdthebread。
THEORIZINGPOLITICIANS。
Therearepeoplewhohavesplitandanatomisedthedoctrineoffreegovernment,asifitwereanabstractquestionconcerningmetaphysicallibertyandnecessity;andnotamatterofmoralprudenceandnaturalfeeling。Theyhavedisputed,whetherlibertybeapositiveoranegativeidea;whetheritdoesnotconsistinbeinggovernedbylaws,withoutconsideringwhatarethelaws,orwhoarethemakers;whethermanhasanyrightsbynature;andwhetherallthepropertyheenjoysbenotthealmsofhisgovernment,andhislifeitselftheirfavourandindulgence。
Otherscorruptingreligion,asthesehavepervertedphilosophy,contend,thatChristiansareredeemedintocaptivity;andthebloodoftheSaviourofmankindhasbeenshedtomakethemtheslavesofafewproudandinsolentsinners。Theseshockingextremesprovokingtoextremesofanotherkind,speculationsareletlooseasdestructivetoallauthority,astheformeraretoallfreedom;andeverygovernmentiscalledtyrannyandusurpationwhichisnotformedontheirfancies。Inthismannerthestirrers-upofthiscontention,notsatisfiedwithdistractingourdependenciesandfillingthemwithbloodandslaughter,arecorruptingourunderstandings;theyareendeavouringtotearup,alongwithpracticalliberty,allthefoundationsofhumansociety,allequityandjustice,religionandorder。
ECONOMYANDPUBLICSPIRIT。
Economyandpublicspirithavemadeabeneficentandanhonestspoil;
theyhaveplunderedfromextravaganceandluxury,fortheuseofsubstantialservice,arevenueofnearfourhundredthousandpounds。Thereformofthefinances,joinedtothisreformofthecourt,givestothepublicninehundredthousandpoundsayearandupwards。
Theministerwhodoesthesethingsisagreatman——butthekingwhodesiresthattheyshouldbedoneisafargreater。Wemustdojusticetoourenemies——thesearetheactsofapatriotking。IamnotindreadofthevastarmiesofFrance;Iamnotindreadofthegallantspiritofitsbraveandnumerousnobility;Iamnotalarmedevenatthegreatnavywhichhasbeensomiraculouslycreated。AllthesethingsLouistheFourteenthhadbefore。Withallthesethings,theFrenchmonarchyhasmorethanoncefallenprostrateatthefeetofthepublicfaithofGreatBritain。ItwasthewantofpubliccreditwhichdisabledFrancefromrecoveringafterherdefeats,orrecoveringevenfromhervictoriesandtriumphs。Itwasaprodigalcourt,itwasanill-orderedrevenue,thatsappedthefoundationsofallhergreatness。Creditcannotexistunderthearmofnecessity。Necessitystrikesatcredit,Iallow,withaheavierandquickerblowunderanarbitrarymonarchy,thanunderalimitedandbalancedgovernment;butstillnecessityandcreditarenaturalenemies,andcannotbelongreconciledinanysituation。Fromnecessityandcorruption,afreestatemaylosethespiritofthatcomplexconstitutionwhichisthefoundationofconfidence。
REFORMOUGHTTOBEPROGRESSIVE。
Wheneverweimprove,itisrighttoleaveroomforafurtherimprovement。Itisrighttoconsider,tolookaboutus,toexaminetheeffectofwhatwehavedone。Thenwecanproceedwithconfidence,becausewecanproceedwithintelligence。Whereasinhotreformations,inwhatmen,morezealousthanconsiderate,callMAKINGCLEARWORK,thewholeisgenerallysocrude,soharsh,soindigested;mixedwithsomuchimprudence,andsomuchinjustice;socontrarytothewholecourseofhumannatureandhumaninstitutions,thattheverypeoplewhoaremosteagerforitareamongthefirsttogrowdisgustedatwhattheyhavedone。Thensomepartoftheabdicatedgrievanceisrecalledfromitsexileinordertobecomeacorrectiveofthecorrection。Thentheabuseassumesallthecreditandpopularityofareform。Theveryideaofpurityanddisinterestednessinpoliticsfallsintodisrepute,andisconsideredasavisionofhotandinexperiencedmen;andthusdisordersbecomeincurable,notbythevirulenceoftheirownquality,butbytheunaptandviolentnatureoftheremedies。Agreatpart,therefore,ofmyideaofreformismeanttooperategradually;somebenefitswillcomeatanearer,someatamoreremoteperiod。Wemustnomoremakehastetoberichbyparsimony,thanbyintemperateacquisition。
CIVILFREEDOM。
Civilfreedom,gentlemen,isnot,asmanyhaveendeavouredtopersuadeyou,athingthatlieshidinthedepthofabstrusescience。Itisablessingandabenefit,notanabstractspeculation;andallthejustreasoningthatcanbeuponitisofsocoarseatexture,asperfectlytosuittheordinarycapacitiesofthosewhoaretoenjoy,andofthosewhoaretodefendit。Farfromanyresemblancetothosepropositionsingeometryandmetaphysics,whichadmitnomedium,butmustbetrueorfalseinalltheirlatitude;socialandcivilfreedom,likeallotherthingsincommonlife,arevariouslymixedandmodified,enjoyedinverydifferentdegrees,andshapedintoaninfinitediversityofforms,accordingtothetemperandcircumstancesofeverycommunity。TheEXTREMEofliberty(whichisitsabstractperfection,butitsrealfault)obtainsnowhere,noroughttoobtainanywhere。Becauseextremes,asweallknow,ineverypointwhichrelateseithertoourdutiesorsatisfactionsinlife,aredestructivebothtovirtueandenjoyment。
TENDENCIESOFPOWER。
Whenanycommunityissubordinatelyconnectedwithanother,thegreatdangeroftheconnectionistheextremeprideandself-complacencyofthesuperior,whichinallmattersofcontroversywillprobablydecideinitsownfavour。Itisapowerfulcorrectivetosuchaveryrationalcauseoffeariftheinferiorbodycanbemadetobelievethatthepartyinclination,orpoliticalviews,ofseveralintheprincipalstatewillinducetheminsomedegreetocounteractthisblindandtyrannicalpartiality。Thereisnodangerthatanyoneacquiringconsiderationorpowerinthepresidingstateshouldcarrythisleaningtotheinferiortoofar。Thefaultofhumannatureisnotofthatsort。Power,inwhateverhands,israrelyguiltyoftoostrictlimitationsonitself。
Butonegreatadvantagetothesupportofauthorityattendssuchanamicableandprotectingconnection,thatthosewhohaveconferredfavoursobtaininfluence;andfromtheforesightoffutureeventscanpersuademenwhohavereceivedobligations,sometimestoreturnthem。
Thus,bythemediationofthosehealingprinciples(callthemgoodorevil),troublesomediscussionsarebroughttosomesortofadjustment,andeveryhotcontroversyisnotacivilwar。
INDIVIDUALGOODANDPUBLICBENEFIT。
Theindividualgoodfeltinapublicbenefitiscomparativelysosmall,comesroundthroughsuchaninvolvedlabyrinthofintricateandtediousrevolutions;whilstapresent,personaldetrimentissoheavywhereitfalls,andsoinstantinitsoperation,thatthecoldcommendationofapublicadvantageneverwas,andneverwillbeamatchforthequicksensibilityofaprivateloss:andyoumaydependuponit,sir,thatwhenmanypeoplehaveaninterestinrailing,soonerorlater,theywillbringaconsiderabledegreeofunpopularityuponanymeasure,Sothat,forthepresentatleast,thereformationwilloperateagainstthereformers,andrevenge(asagainstthemattheleast)willproducealltheeffectsofcorruption。
PUBLICCORRUPTION。
Norisittheworsteffectofthisunnaturalcontention,thatourLAWS
arecorrupted。WhilstMANNERSremainentire,theywillcorrectthevicesoflaw,andsoftenitatlengthtotheirowntemper。Butwehavetolament,thatinmostofthelateproceedingsweseeveryfewtracesofthatgenerosity,humanity,anddignityofmindwhichformerlycharacterizedthisnation。Warsuspendstherulesofmoralobligation,andwhatislongsuspendedisindangerofbeingtotallyabrogated。
Civilwarsstrikedeepestofallintothemannersofthepeople。Theyvitiatetheirpolitics;theycorrupttheirmorals;theyperverteventhenaturaltasteandrelishofequityandjustice。Byteachingustoconsiderourfellow-citizensinahostilelight,thewholebodyofournationbecomesgraduallylessdeartous。Theverynamesofaffectionandkindred,whichwerethebondofcharitywhilstweagreed,becomenewincentivestohatredandragewhenthecommunionofourcountryisdissolved。Wemayflatterourselvesthatweshallnotfallintothismisfortune。Butwehavenocharterofexemption,thatIknowof,fromtheordinaryfrailtiesofournature。
CRUELTYANDCOWARDICE。
Aconscientiousmanwouldbecautioushowhedealtinblood。Hewouldfeelsomeapprehensionatbeingcalledtoatremendousaccountforengaginginsodeepaplay,withoutanysortofknowledgeofthegame。
Itisnoexcuseforpresumptuousignorance,thatitisdirectedbyinsolentpassion。Thepoorestbeingthatcrawlsonearth,contendingtosaveitselffrominjusticeandoppression,isanobjectrespectableintheeyesofGodandman。ButIcannotconceiveanyexistenceunderheaven(which,inthedepthsofitswisdom,toleratesallsortsofthings)thatismoretrulyodiousanddisgusting,thananimpotenthelplesscreature,withoutcivilwisdomormilitaryskill,withoutaconsciousnessofanyotherqualificationforpowerbuthisservilitytoit,bloatedwithprideandarrogance,callingforbattleswhichheisnottofight,contendingforaviolentdominionwhichhecanneverexercise,andsatisfiedtobehimselfmeanandmiserable,inordertorenderotherscontemptibleandwretched。
BADLAWSPRODUCEBASESUBSERVIENCY。
Badlawsaretheworstsortoftyranny。Insuchacountryasthistheyareofallbadthingstheworst,worsebyfarthananywhereelse;andtheyderiveaparticularmalignityevenfromthewisdomandsoundnessoftherestofourinstitutions。Forveryobviousreasonsyoucannottrustthecrownwithadispensingpoweroveranyofyourlaws。However,agovernment,beitasbadasitmay,will,intheexerciseofadiscretionarypower,discriminatetimesandpersons;andwillnotordinarilypursueanymanwhenitsownsafetyisnotconcerned。A
mercenaryinformerknowsnodistinction。Undersuchasystem,theobnoxiouspeopleareslaves,notonlytothegovernment,buttheyliveatthemercyofeveryindividual;theyareatoncetheslavesofthewholecommunity,andofeverypartofit;andtheworstandmostunmercifulmenarethoseonwhosegoodnesstheymostdepend。
Inthissituationmennotonlyshrinkfromthefrownsofasternmagistrate,buttheyareobligedtoflyfromtheirveryspecies。Theseedsofdestructionaresownincivilintercourse,insocialhabitudes。
Thebloodofwholesomekindredisinfected。Theirtablesandbedsaresurroundedwithsnares。AllthemeansgivenbyProvidencetomakelifesafeandcomfortablearepervertedintoinstrumentsofterrorandtorment。Thisspeciesofuniversalsubserviency,thatmakestheveryservantwhowaitsbehindyourchairthearbiterofyourlifeandfortune,hassuchatendencytodegradeandabasemankind,andtodeprivethemofthatassuredandliberalstateofmindwhichalonecanmakeuswhatweoughttobe,thatIvowtoGodIwouldsoonerbringmyselftoputamantoimmediatedeathforopinionsIdisliked,andsotogetridofthemanandhisopinionsatonce,thantofrethimwithafeverishbeing,taintedwiththejail-distemperofacontagiousservitude,tokeephimabovegroundananimatedmassofputrefaction,corruptedhimself,andcorruptingallabouthim。
FALSEREGRET。
Ifwerepentofourgoodactions,what,Iprayyou,isleftforourfaultsandfollies?Itisnotthebeneficenceofthelaws,itistheunnaturaltemperwhichbeneficencecanfretandsourthatistobelamented。Itisthistemperwhich,byallrationalmeans,oughttobesweetenedandcorrected。Iffrowardmenshouldrefusethiscure,cantheyvitiateanythingbutthemselves?Doesevilsoreactupongood,asnotonlytoretarditsmotion,buttochangeitsnature?Ifitcansooperate,thengoodmenwillalwaysbeinthepowerofthebad;andvirtue,byadreadfulreverseoforder,mustlieunderperpetualsubjectionandbondagetovice。
BRITISHDOMINIONINEASTINDIA。
Withveryfew,andthoseinconsiderable,intervals,theBritishdominion,eitherintheCompany’sname,orinthenamesofprincesabsolutelydependentupontheCompany,extendsfromthemountainsthatseparateIndiafromTartarytoCapeComorin,——thatis,one-and-twentydegreesoflatitude!
Inthenorthernpartsitisasolidmassofland,abouteighthundredmilesinlength,andfourorfivehundredbroad。Asyougosouthward,itbecomesnarrowerforaspace。Itafterwardsdilates;but,narrowerorbroader,youpossessthewholeeasternandnorth-easterncoastofthatvastcountry,quitefromthebordersofPegu。Bengal,Bahar,andOrissa,withBenares(nowunfortunatelyinourimmediatepossession),measure161,978squareEnglishmiles;aterritoryconsiderablylargerthanthewholekingdomofFrance。Oude,withitsdependentprovinces,is53,286
squaremiles,notagreatdeallessthanEngland。TheCarnatic,withTanjoreandtheCircars,is65,948squaremiles,veryconsiderablylargerthanEngland;andthewholeoftheCompany’sdominions,comprehendingBombayandSalsette,amountsto281,412squaremiles;
whichformsaterritorylargerthananyEuropeandominion,RussiaandTurkeyexcepted。ThroughallthatvastextentofcountrythereisnotamanwhoeatsamouthfulofricebutbypermissionoftheEast-IndiaCompany。
Sofarwithregardtotheextent。Thepopulationofthisgreatempireisnoteasilytobecalculated。Whenthecountries,ofwhichitiscomposed,cameintoourpossession,theywerealleminentlypeopled,andeminentlyproductive;thoughatthattimeconsiderablydeclinedfromtheirancientprosperity。But,sincetheyarecomeintoourhands!——!
However,ifwemaketheperiodofourestimateimmediatelybeforetheutterdesolationoftheCarnatic,andifweallowforthehavocwhichourgovernmenthadeventhenmadeintheseregions,wecannot,inmyopinion,ratethepopulationatmuchlessthanthirtymillionsofsouls,——morethanfourtimesthenumberofpersonsintheIslandofGreatBritain。
Mynextinquirytothatofthenumber,isthequalityanddescriptionoftheinhabitants。Thismultitudeofmendoesnotconsistofanabjectandbarbarouspopulace;muchlessofgangsofsavages,liketheGuaraniesandChiquitos,whowanderonthewastebordersoftheriverofAmazons,orthePlate;butapeopleforagescivilizedandcultivated;cultivatedbyalltheartsofpolishedlife,whilstwewereyetinthewoods。Therehavebeen(andstilltheskeletonsremain)princesonceofgreatdignity,authority,andopulence。Therearetobefoundthechiefsoftribesandnations。Thereistobefoundanancientandvenerablepriesthood,thedepositoryoftheirlaws,learning,andhistory,theguidesofthepeoplewhilstliving,andtheirconsolationindeath;anobilityofgreatantiquityandrenown;amultitudeofcities,notexceededinpopulationandtradebythoseofthefirstclassinEurope;
merchantsandbankers,individualhousesofwhomhaveonceviedincapitalwiththeBankofEngland;whosecredithadoftensupportedatotteringstate,andpreservedtheirgovernmentsinthemidstofwaranddesolation;millionsofingeniousmanufacturersandmechanics;millionsofthemostdiligent,andnottheleastintelligent,tillersoftheearth。Therearetobefoundalmostallthereligionsprofessedbymen,——theBrahminical,theMussulman,theEasternandtheWesternChristian。
IfIweretotakethewholeaggregateofourpossessionsthere,Ishouldcompareit,asthenearestparallelIcanfind,withtheempireofGermany。OurimmediatepossessionsIshouldcomparewiththeAustriandominions,——andtheywouldnotsufferinthecomparison。ThenabobofOudemightstandforthekingofPrussia;thenabobofArcotIwouldcompare,assuperiorinterritoryandequalinrevenue,totheelectorofSaxony。CheytSing,therajahofBenares,mightwellrankwiththeprinceofHesse,atleast;andtherajahofTanjore(thoughhardlyequalinextentofdominion,superiorinrevenue),totheelectorofBavaria。
ThePolygarsandthenorthernZemindars,andothergreatchiefs,mightwellclasswiththerestoftheprinces,dukes,counts,marquises,andbishops,intheempire;allofwhomImentiontohonour,andsurelywithoutdisparagementtoanyorallofthosemostrespectableprincesandgrandees。Allthisvastmass,composedofsomanyordersandclassesofmen,isagaininfinitelyadvocatedbymanners,byreligion,byhereditaryemployment,throughalltheirpossiblecombinations。ThisrendersthehandlingofIndiaamatterinahighdegreecriticalanddelicate。Butoh!ithasbeenhandledrudelyindeed。Evensomeofthereformersseemtohaveforgotthattheyhadanythingtodobuttoregulatethetenantsofamanor,ortheshopkeepersofthenextcountytown。
Itisanempireofthisextent,ofthiscomplicatednature,ofthisdignityandimportance,thatIhavecomparedtoGermany,andtheGermangovernment;notforanexactresemblance,butasasortofamiddleterm,bywhichIndiamightbeapproximatedtoourunderstandings,andifpossibletoourfeelings;inordertoawakensomethingofsympathyfortheunfortunatenatives,ofwhichIamafraidwearenotperfectlysusceptible,whilstwelookatthisveryremoteobjectthroughafalseandcloudymedium。
POLITICALCHARITY。
Honestmenwillnotforgeteithertheirmeritortheirsufferings。Therearemen(andmany,Itrust,thereare)who,outoflovetotheircountryandtheirkind,wouldtorturetheirinventiontofindexcusesforthemistakesoftheirbrethren;andwho,tostifledissension,wouldconstrueevendoubtfulappearanceswiththeutmostfavour:suchmenwillneverpersuadethemselvestobeingeniousandrefinedindiscoveringdisaffectionandtreasoninthemanifest,palpablesignsofsufferingloyalty。Persecutionissounnaturaltothem,thattheygladlysnatchtheveryfirstopportunityoflayingasideallthetricksanddevicesofpenalpolitics;andofreturninghome,afteralltheirirksomeandvexatiouswanderings,toournaturalfamilymansion,tothegrandsocialprinciple,thatunitesallmen,inalldescriptions,undertheshadowofanequalandimpartialjustice。
EVILSOFDISTRACTION。
Theveryattempttowardspleasingeverybodydiscoversatemperalwaysflashy,andoftenfalseandinsincere。ThereforeasIhaveproceededstraightonwardinmyconduct,soIwillproceedinmyaccountofthosepartsofitwhichhavebeenmostexceptedto。ButImustfirstbegleavejusttohinttoyou,thatwemaysufferverygreatdetrimentbybeingopentoeverytalker。Itisnottobeimaginedhowmuchofserviceislostfromspiritsfullofactivityandfullofenergy,whoarepressing,whoarerushingforward,togreatandcapitalobjects,whenyouobligethemtobecontinuallylookingback。Whilsttheyaredefendingoneservice,theydefraudyouofanhundred。Applauduswhenwerun;consoleuswhenwefall;cheeruswhenwerecover;butletuspasson——forGod’ssakeletuspasson。
CHARLESFOX。
Andnow,havingdonemydutytothebill,letmesayawordtotheauthor。Ishouldleavehimtohisownnoblesentiments,iftheunworthyandilliberallanguagewithwhichhehasbeentreated,beyondallexampleofparliamentaryliberty,didnotmakeafewwordsnecessary;
notsomuchinjusticetohim,astomyownfeelings。Imustsay,then,thatitwillbeadistinctionhonourabletotheage,thattherescueofthegreatestnumberofthehumanracethateverweresogrievouslyoppressed,fromthegreatesttyrannythatwaseverexercised,hasfallentothelotofabilitiesanddispositionsequaltothetask;thatithasfallentoonewhohastheenlargementtocomprehend,thespirittoundertake,andtheeloquencetosupport,sogreatameasureofhazardousbenevolence。Hisspiritisnotowingtohisignoranceofthestateofmenandthings;hewellknowswhatsnaresarespreadabouthispath,frompersonalanimosity,fromcourtintrigues,andpossiblyfrompopulardelusion。Buthehasputtohazardhisease,hissecurity,hisinterest,hispower,evenhisdarlingpopularity,forthebenefitofapeoplewhomhehasneverseen。Thisistheroadthatallheroeshavetrodbeforehim。Heistraducedandabusedforhissupposedmotives。Hewillremember,thatobloquyisanecessaryingredientinthecompositionofalltrueglory:hewillremember,thatitwasnotonlyintheRomancustoms,butitisinthenatureandconstitutionofthings,thatcalumnyandabuseareessentialpartsoftriumph。Thesethoughtswillsupportamind,whichonlyexistsforhonour,undertheburthenoftemporaryreproach。Heisdoingindeedagreatgood;suchasrarelyfallstothelot,andalmostasrarelycoincideswiththedesires,ofanyman。Lethimusehistime。Lethimgivethewholelengthofthereinstohisbenevolence。Heisnowonagreateminence,wheretheeyesofmankindareturnedtohim。Hemaylivelong,hemaydomuch。Buthereisthesummit。Henevercanexceedwhathedoesthisday。
Hehasfaults;buttheyarefaultsthat,thoughtheymayinasmalldegreetarnishthelustre,andsometimesimpedethemarch,ofhisabilities,havenothinginthemtoextinguishthefireofgreatvirtues。
Inthosefaultsthereisnomixtureofdeceit,ofhypocrisy,ofpride,offerocity,ofcomplexionaldespotism,orwantoffeelingforthedistressesofmankind。HisarefaultswhichmightexistinadescendantofHenrytheFourthofFrance,astheydidexistinthatfatherofhiscountry。HenrytheFourthwishedthathemightlivetoseeafowlinthepotofeverypeasantinhiskingdom。Thatsentimentofhomelybenevolencewasworthallthesplendidsayingsthatarerecordedofkings。Buthewishedperhapsformorethancouldbeobtained,andthegoodnessofthemanexceededthepoweroftheking。Butthisgentleman,asubject,maythisdaysaythisatleast,withtruth,thathesecuresthericeinhispottoeverymaninIndia。Apoetofantiquitythoughtitoneofthefirstdistinctionstoaprincewhomhemeanttocelebrate,thatthroughalongsuccessionofgenerations,hehadbeentheprogenitorofanableandvirtuouscitizen,whobyforceoftheartsofpeace,hadcorrectedgovernmentsofoppression,andsuppressedwarsofrapine。
Indoleprohquantajuvenis,quantumquedaturusAusoniaepopulisventurainsaeculacivem。
IllesuperGangem,superexauditusetIndos,Implebitterrasvoce;etfurialiabellaFulminecompescetlinguae——
Thiswaswhatwassaidofthepredecessoroftheonlypersontowhoseeloquenceitdoesnotwrongthatofthemoverofthisbilltobecompared。ButtheGangesandtheIndusarethepatrimonyofthefameofmyhonourablefriend,andnotofCicero。Iconfess,Ianticipatewithjoytherewardofthose,whosewholeconsequence,power,andauthority,existonlyforthebenefitofmankind;andIcarrymymindtoallthepeople,andallthenamesanddescriptions,that,relievedbythisbill,willblessthelaboursofthisparliament,andtheconfidencewhichthebestHouseofCommonshasgiventohimwhothebestdeservesit。Thelittlecavilsofpartywillnotbeheard,wherefreedomandhappinesswillbefelt。Thereisnotatongue,anation,orreligioninIndiawhichwillnotblessthepresidingcareandmanlybeneficenceofthishouse,andofhimwhoproposestoyouthisgreatwork。YournameswillneverbeseparatedbeforethethroneoftheDivinegoodness,inwhateverlanguage,orwithwhateverrites,pardonisaskedforsin,andrewardforthosewhoimitatetheGodheadinhisuniversalbountytohiscreatures。Thesehonoursyoudeserve,andtheywillsurelybepaid,whenallthejargonofinfluence,andparty,andpatronage,aresweptintooblivion。
THEIMPRACTICABLEUNDESIRABLE。
Iknowitiscommonformentosay,thatsuchandsuchthingsareperfectlyright——verydesirable;butthat,unfortunately,theyarenotpracticable。Oh!no,sir,no。Thosethings,whicharenotpracticable,arenotdesirable。Thereisnothingintheworldreallybeneficialthatdoesnotliewithinthereachofaninformedunderstanding,andawell-directedpursuit。ThereisnothingthatGodhasjudgedgoodforusthathehasnotgivenusthemeanstoaccomplish,bothinthenaturalandthemoralworld。Ifwecry,likechildren,forthemoon,likechildrenwemustcryon。
CONSTITUTIONOFTHECOMMONS。
ThelateHouseofCommonshasbeenpunishedforitsindependence。Thatexampleismade。HaveweanexampleonrecordofaHouseofCommonspunishedforitsservility?Therewardsofasenatesodisposedaremanifesttotheworld。SeveralgentlemenareverydesirousofalteringtheconstitutionoftheHouseofCommons;buttheymustaltertheframeandconstitutionofhumannatureitselfbeforetheycansofashionitbyanymodeofelectionthatitsconductwillnotbeinfluencedbyrewardandpunishment,byfame,andbydisgrace。Iftheseexamplestakerootinthemindsofmen,whatmembershereafterwillbeboldenoughnottobecorrupt?Especiallyastheking’shighwayofobsequiousnessissoverybroadandeasy。Tomakeapassivememberofparliament,nodignityofmind,noprinciplesofhonour,noresolution,noability,noindustry,nolearning,noexperience,areintheleastdegreenecessary。Todefendapostofimportanceagainstapowerfulenemy,requiresanElliot;adrunkeninvalidisqualifiedtohoistawhiteflag,ortodeliverupthekeysofthefortressonhisknees。
EMOLUMENTSOFOFFICE。
Nomanknows,whenhecutsofftheincitementstoavirtuousambition,andthejustrewardsofpublicservice,whatinfinitemischiefhemaydohiscountry,throughallgenerations。Suchsavingtothepublicmayprovetheworstmodeofrobbingit。Thecrown,whichhasinitshandsthetrustofthedailypayfornationalservice,oughttohaveinitshandsalsothemeansforthereposeofpubliclabour,andthefixedsettlementofacknowledgedmerit。Thereisatimewhentheweather-beatenvesselsofthestateoughttocomeintoharbour。Theymustatlengthhavearetreatfromthemaliceofrivals,fromtheperfidyofpoliticalfriends,andtheinconstancyofthepeople。Manyofthepersons,whoinalltimeshavefilledthegreatofficesofstate,havebeenyoungerbrothers,whohadoriginallylittle,ifany,fortune。
Theseofficesdonotfurnishthemeansofamassingwealth。Thereoughttobesomepowerinthecrownofgrantingpensionsoutofthereachofitsowncaprices。Anentailofdependenceisabadrewardofmerit。
MORALDISTINCTIONS。
Thosewhoareleastanxiousaboutyourconductarenotthosethatloveyoumost。Moderateaffectionandsatiatedenjoymentarecoldandrespectful;butanardentandinjuredpassionistemperedupwithwrath,andgrief,andshame,andconsciousworth,andthemaddeningsenseofviolatedright。Ajealouslovelightshistorchfromthefirebrandsofthefuries。TheywhocalluponyoutobelongWHOLLYtothepeople,arethosewhowishyoutoreturntoyourPROPERhome;tothesphereofyourduty,tothepostofyourhonour,tothemansion-houseofallgenuine,serene,andsolidsatisfaction。
ELECTORSANDREPRESENTATIVES。
Look,gentlemen,totheWHOLETENOURofyourmember’sconduct。Trywhetherhisambitionorhisavaricehavejostledhimoutofthestraightlineofduty;orwhetherthatgrandfoeoftheofficesofactivelife,thatmasterviceinmenofbusiness,adegenerateandinglorioussloth——hasmadehimflagandlanguishinhiscourse。Thisistheobjectofourinquiry。Ifourmember’sconductcanbearthistouch,markitforsterling。Hemayhavefallenintoerrors;hemusthavefaults;butourerrorisgreater,andourfaultisradicallyruinoustoourselves,ifwedonotbear,ifwedonotevenapplaud,thewholecompoundandmixedmassofsuchacharacter。Nottoactthusisfolly;Ihadalmostsaiditisimpiety。HecensuresGod,whoquarrelswiththeimperfectionsofman。
Gentlemen,wemustnotbepeevishwiththosewhoservethepeople。Fornonewillserveuswhilstthereisacourttoservebutthosewhoareofaniceandjealoushonour。Theywhothinkeverything,incomparisonofthathonour,tobedustandashes,willnotbeartohaveitsoiledandimpairedbythoseforwhosesaketheymakeathousandsacrificestopreserveitimmaculateandwhole。Weshalleitherdrivesuchmenfromthepublicstage,orweshallsendthemtothecourtforprotection;
where,iftheymustsacrificetheirreputation,theywillatleastsecuretheirinterest。Dependuponit,thattheloversoffreedomwillbefree。Nonewillviolatetheirconsciencetopleaseus,inorderafterwardstodischargethatconscience,whichtheyhaveviolated,bydoingusfaithfulandaffectionateservice。Ifwedegradeanddepravetheirmindsbyservility,itwillbeabsurdtoexpect,thattheywhoarecreepingandabjecttowardsus,willeverbeboldandincorruptibleassertorsofourfreedom,againstthemostseducingandthemostformidableofallpowers。No!humannatureisnotsoformed;norshallweimprovethefacultiesorbetterthemoralsofpublicmen,byourpossessionofthemostinfalliblereceiptintheworldformakingcheatsandhypocrites。
Letmesaywithplainness,Iwhoamnolongerinapubliccharacter,thatifbyafair,byanindulgent,byagentlemanlybehaviourtoourrepresentatives,wedonotgiveconfidencetotheirminds,andaliberalscopetotheirunderstandings;ifwedonotpermitourmemberstoactuponaVERYenlargedviewofthings;weshallatlengthinfalliblydegradeournationalrepresentationintoaconfusedandscufflingbustleoflocalagency。Whenthepopularmemberisnarrowedinhisideas,andrenderedtimidinhisproceedings,theserviceofthecrownwillbethesolenurseryofstatesmen。Amongthefrolicsofthecourt,itmayatlengthtakethatofattendingtoitsbusiness。Thenthemonopolyofmentalpowerwillbeaddedtothepowerofallotherkindsitpossesses。
Onthesideofthepeopletherewillbenothingbutimpotence:forignoranceisimpotence;narrownessofmindisimpotence;timidityisitselfimpotence,andmakesallotherqualitiesthatgoalongwithit,impotentanduseless。
POPULAROPINIONAFALLACIOUSSTANDARD。
Whenweknow,thattheopinionsofeventhegreatestmultitudesarethestandardofrectitude,Ishallthinkmyselfobligedtomakethoseopinionsthemastersofmyconscience。ButifitmaybedoubtedwhetherOmnipotenceitselfiscompetenttoaltertheessentialconstitutionofrightandwrong,sureIamthatsuchTHINGS,astheyandI,arepossessedofnosuchpower。NomancarriesfurtherthanIdothepolicyofmakinggovernmentpleasingtothepeople。Butthewidestrangeofthispoliticcomplaisanceisconfinedwithinthelimitsofjustice。I
wouldnotonlyconsulttheinterestofthepeople,butIwouldcheerfullygratifytheirhumours。Weareallasortofchildrenthatmustbesoothedandmanaged。IthinkIamnotaustereorformalinmynature。Iwouldbear,Iwouldevenmyselfplaymypartinanyinnocentbuffooneriestodivertthem。ButIneverwillactthetyrantfortheiramusement。Iftheywillmixmaliceintheirsports,Ishallneverconsenttothrowthemanyliving,sentientcreaturewhatsoever——no,notsomuchasakitling,totorment。
ENGLISHREFORMATION。
Theconditionofournatureissuch,thatwebuyourblessingsataprice。TheReformation,oneofthegreatestperiodsofhumanimprovement,wasatimeoftroubleandconfusion。Thevaststructureofsuperstitionandtyranny,whichhadbeenforagesinrearing,andwhichwascombinedwiththeinterestofthegreatandofthemany,whichwasmouldedintothelaws,themanners,andcivilinstitutionsofnations,andblendedwiththeframeandpolicyofstates,couldnotbebroughttothegroundwithoutafearfulstruggle;norcoulditfallwithoutaviolentconcussionofitselfandallaboutit。Whenthisgreatrevolutionwasattemptedinamoreregularmodebygovernment,itwasopposedbyplotsandseditionsofthepeople;whenbypopularefforts,itwasrepressedasarebellionbythehandofpower;andbloodyexecutions(oftenbloodilyreturned)markedthewholeofitsprogressthroughallitsstages。Theaffairsofreligion,whicharenolongerheardofinthetumultofourpresentcontentions,madeaprincipalingredientinthewarsandpoliticsofthattime;theenthusiasmofreligionthrewagloomoverthepolitics;andpoliticalinterestspoisonedandpervertedthespiritofreligionuponallsides。TheProtestantreligioninthatviolentstruggle,infected,asthePopishhadbeenbefore,byworldlyinterestsandworldlypassions,becameapersecutorinitsturn,sometimesofthenewsects,whichcarriedtheirownprinciplesfurtherthanitwasconvenienttotheoriginalreformers;
andalwaysofthebodyfromwhomtheyparted:andthispersecutingspiritarose,notonlyfromthebitternessofretaliation,butfromthemercilesspolicyoffear。
Itwaslongbeforethespiritoftruepietyandtruewisdom,involvedintheprinciplesoftheReformation,couldbedepuratedfromthedregsandfeculenceofthecontentionwithwhichitwascarriedthrough。However,untilthisbedone,theReformationisnotcomplete;andthosewhothinkthemselvesgoodProtestants,fromtheiranimositytoothers,areinthatrespectnoProtestantsatall。
PROSCRIPTION。
ThiswayofPROSCRIBINGTHECITIZENSBYDENOMINATIONSANDGENERAL
DESCRIPTIONS,dignifiedbythenameofreasonofstate,andsecurityforconstitutionsandcommonwealths,isnothingbetteratbottom,thanthemiserableinventionofanungenerousambition,whichwouldfainholdthesacredtrustofpower,withoutanyofthevirtuesoranyoftheenergiesthatgiveatitletoit:areceiptofpolicy,madeupofadetestablecompoundofmalice,cowardice,andsloth。Theywouldgovernmenagainsttheirwill;butinthatgovernmenttheywouldbedischargedfromtheexerciseofvigilance,providence,andfortitude;andtherefore,thattheymaysleepontheirwatch,theyconsenttotakesomeonedivisionofthesocietyintopartnershipofthetyrannyovertherest。Butletgovernment,inwhatformitmaybe,comprehendthewholeinitsjustice,andrestrainthesuspiciousbyitsvigilance;letitkeepwatchandward;letitdiscoverbyitssagacity,andpunishbyitsfirmness,alldelinquencyagainstitspower,wheneverdelinquencyexistsintheovertacts;andthenitwillbeassafeaseverGodandnatureintendeditshouldbe。Crimesaretheactsofindividuals,andnotofdenominations;
andthereforearbitrarilytoclassmenundergeneraldescriptions,inordertoproscribeandpunishtheminthelumpforapresumeddelinquency,ofwhichperhapsbutapart,perhapsnoneatall,areguilty,isindeedacompendiousmethod,andsavesaworldoftroubleaboutproof;butsuchamethod,insteadofbeinglaw,isanactofunnaturalrebellionagainstthelegaldominionofreasonandjustice;
andthisvice,inanyconstitutionthatentertainsit,atonetimeorotherwillcertainlybringonitsruin。
JUSTFREEDOM。
Imustfairlytellyou,thatsofarasmyprinciplesareconcerned,(principlesthatIhopewillonlydepartwithmylastbreath),Ihavenoideaofalibertyunconnectedwithhonestyandjustice。NordoIbelievethatanygoodconstitutionsofgovernment,oroffreedom,canfinditnecessaryfortheirsecuritytodoomanypartofthepeopletoapermanentslavery。Suchaconstitutionoffreedom,ifsuchcanbe,isineffectnomorethananothernameforthetyrannyofthestrongestfaction;andfactionsinrepublicshavebeen,andare,fullascapableasmonarchsofthemostcrueloppressionandinjustice。Itisbuttootrue,thatthelove,andeventheveryideaofgenuinelibertyisextremelyrare。Itisbuttootrue,thattherearemanywhosewholeschemeoffreedomismadeupofpride,perverseness,andinsolence。Theyfeelthemselvesinastateofthraldom,theyimaginethattheirsoulsarecoopedandcabinedin,unlesstheyhavesomeman,orsomebodyofmen,dependentontheirmercy。Thedesireofhavingsomeonebelowthemdescendstothosewhoaretheverylowestofall,——andaProtestantcobbler,debasedbyhispoverty,butexaltedbyhisshareoftherulingchurch,feelsaprideinknowingitisbyhisgenerosityalonethatthepeer,whosefootman’sinstephemeasures,isabletokeephischaplainfromagaol。
ENGLAND’SEMBASSYTOAMERICA。
TheyenterthecapitalofAmericaonlytoabandonit;andtheseassertorsandrepresentativesofthedignityofEngland,atthetailofaflyingarmy,letflytheirParthianshaftsofmemorialsandremonstrancesatrandombehindthem。Theirpromisesandtheiroffers,theirflatteriesandtheirmenaces,werealldespised;andweweresavedfromthedisgraceoftheirformalreception,onlybecausethecongressscornedtoreceivethem;whilstthestate-houseofindependentPhiladelphiaopenedherdoorstothepublicentryoftheambassadorofFrance。Fromwarandbloodwewenttosubmission;andfromsubmissionplungedbackagaintowarandblood;todesolateandbedesolated,withoutmeasure,hope,orend。IamaRoyalist,Iblushedforthisdegradationofthecrown。IamaWhig,Iblushedforthedishonourofparliament。IamatrueEnglishman,IfelttothequickforthedisgraceofEngland。Iamaman,Ifeltforthemelancholyreverseofhumanaffairsinthefallofthefirstpowerintheworld。
HOWARD,THEPHILANTHROPIST。
Icannotnamethisgentlemanwithoutremarkingthathislaboursandwritingshavedonemuchtoopentheeyesandheartsofmankind。HehasvisitedallEurope,——nottosurveythesumptuousnessofpalaces,orthestatelinessoftemples;nottomakeaccuratemeasurementsoftheremainsofancientgrandeur,nortoformascaleofthecuriosityofmodernart;
nottocollectmedals,orcollatemanuscripts:——buttodiveintothedepthsofdungeons;toplungeintotheinfectionofhospitals;tosurveythemansionsofsorrowandpain;totakethegaugeanddimensionsofmisery,depression,andcontempt;toremembertheforgotten,toattendtotheneglected,tovisittheforsaken,andtocompareandcollatethedistressesofallmeninallcountries。Hisplanisoriginal;andisasfullofgeniusasitisofhumanity。Itwasavoyageofdiscovery;acircumnavigationofcharity。Alreadythebenefitofhislabourisfeltmoreorlessineverycountry;Ihopehewillanticipatehisfinalrewardbyseeingallitseffectsfullyrealizedinhisown。Hewillreceive,notbydetail,butingross,therewardofthosewhovisittheprisoner;andhehassoforestalledandmonopolizedthisbranchofcharity,thattherewillbe,Itrust,littleroomtomeritbysuchactsofbenevolencehereafter。
PARLIAMENTARYRETROSPECT。
Itiscertainlynotpleasingtobeputoutofthepublicservice。ButI
wishtobeamemberofparliament,tohavemyshareofdoinggoodandresistingevil。Itwouldthereforebeabsurdtorenouncemyobjectsinordertoobtainmyseat。IdeceivemyselfindeedmostgrosslyifIhadnotmuchratherpasstheremainderofmylifehiddenintherecessesofthedeepestobscurity,feedingmymindevenwiththevisionsandimaginationsofsuchthings,thantobeplacedonthemostsplendidthroneoftheuniverse,tantalizedwithadenialofthepracticeofallwhichcanmakethegreatestsituationanyotherthanthegreatestcurse。
Gentlemen,Ihavehadmyday。IcanneversufficientlyexpressmygratitudetoyouforhavingsetmeinaplacewhereinIcouldlendtheslightesthelptogreatandlaudabledesigns。IfIhavehadmyshareinanymeasuregivingquiettoprivateproperty,andprivateconscience;ifbymyvoteIhaveaidedinsecuringtofamiliesthebestpossession,peace;ifIhavejoinedinreconcilingkingstotheirsubjects,andsubjectstotheirprince;ifIhaveassistedtoloosentheforeignholdingsofthecitizen,andtaughthimtolookforhisprotectiontothelawsofhiscountry,andforhiscomforttothegoodwillofhiscountrymen——ifIhavethustakenmypartwiththebestofmeninthebestoftheiractions,Icanshutthebook;——Imightwishtoreadapageortwomore——butthisisenoughformymeasure,——Ihavenotlivedinvain。
PEOPLEANDPARLIAMENT。
Letthecommonsinparliamentassembledbeoneandthesamethingwiththecommonsatlarge。Thedistinctionsthataremadetoseparateusareunnaturalandwickedcontrivances。Letusidentify,letusincorporate,ourselveswiththepeople。Letuscutallthecablesandsnapthechainswhichtieustoanunfaithfulshore,andenterthefriendlyharbourthatshootsfaroutintothemainitsmolesandjetteestoreceiveus——“Warwiththeworld,andpeacewithourconstituents。”Bethisourmotto,andourprinciple。Then,indeed,weshallbetrulygreat。Respectingourselves,weshallberespectedbytheworld。Atpresentallistroubled,andcloudy,anddistracted,andfullofangerandturbulence,bothabroadandathome;buttheairmaybeclearedbythisstorm,andlightandfertilitymayfollowit。Letusgiveafaithfulpledgetothepeople,thatwehonourindeedthecrown,butthatweBELONGtothem;
thatwearetheirauxiliaries,andnottheirtask-masters,——thefellow-labourersinthesamevineyard,——notlordingovertheirrights,buthelpersoftheirjoy:thattotaxthemisagrievancetoourselves;
buttocutofffromourenjoymentstoforwardtheirs,isthehighestgratificationwearecapableofreceiving。
REFORMEDCIVILLIST。
Asthingsnowstand,everyman,inproportiontohisconsequenceatcourt,tendstoaddtotheexpenseofthecivillist,byallmannerofjobs,ifnotforhimself,yetforhisdependents。Whenthenewplanisestablished,thosewhoarenowsuitorsforjobswillbecomethemoststrenuousopposersofthem。Theywillhaveacommoninterestwiththeministerinpubliceconomy。Everyclass,asitstandslow,willbecomesecurityforthepaymentoftheprecedingclass;and,thus,thepersonswhoseinsignificantservicesdefraudthosethatareuseful,wouldthenbecomeinterestedintheirpayment。Thenthepowerful,insteadofoppressing,wouldbeobligedtosupporttheweak;andidlenesswouldbecomeconcernedintherewardofindustry。Thewholefabricofthecivileconomywouldbecomecompactandconnectedinallitsparts;itwouldbeformedintoawell-organizedbody,whereeverymembercontributestothesupportofthewhole;andwhereeventhelazystomachsecuresthevigouroftheactivearm。
FRENCHANDENGLISHREVOLUTION。
Hefeltsomeconcernthatthisstrangething,calledaRevolutioninFrance,shouldbecomparedwiththegloriouseventcommonlycalledtheRevolutioninEngland;andtheconductofthesoldiery,onthatoccasion,comparedwiththebehaviourofsomeofthetroopsofFranceinthepresentinstance。AtthatperiodtheprinceofOrange,aprinceoftheblood-royalinEngland,wascalledinbythefloweroftheEnglisharistocracytodefenditsancientconstitution,andnottolevelalldistinctions。Tothisprince,soinvited,thearistocraticleaderswhocommandedthetroopswentoverwiththeirseveralcorps,inbodies,tothedelivereroftheircountry。Aristocraticleadersbroughtupthecorpsofcitizenswhonewlyenlistedinthiscause。Militaryobediencechangeditsobject;butmilitarydisciplinewasnotforamomentinterruptedinitsprinciple。Thetroopswerereadyforwar,butindisposedtomutiny。ButastheconductoftheEnglisharmieswasdifferent,sowasthatofthewholeEnglishnationatthattime。Intruth,thecircumstancesofourrevolution(asitiscalled)andthatofFrance,arejustthereverseofeachotherinalmosteveryparticular,andinthewholespiritofthetransaction。Withusitwasthecaseofalegalmonarchattemptingarbitrarypower——inFranceitisthecaseofanarbitrarymonarch,beginning,fromwhatevercause,tolegalizehisauthority。Theonewastoberesisted,theotherwastobemanagedanddirected;butinneithercasewastheorderofthestatetobechanged,lestgovernmentmightberuined,whichoughtonlytobecorrectedandlegalized。Withuswegotridoftheman,andpreservedtheconstituentpartsofthestate。Theretheygetridoftheconstituentpartsofthestate,andkeeptheman。Whatwedidwasintruthandsubstance,andinaconstitutionallight,arevolution,notmade,butprevented。Wetooksolidsecurities;wesettleddoubtfulquestions;wecorrectedanomaliesinourlaw。Inthestable,fundamentalpartsofourconstitutionwemadenorevolution;no,noranyalterationatall。Wedidnotimpairthemonarchy。Perhapsitmightbeshownthatwestrengtheneditveryconsiderably。Thenationkeptthesameranks,thesameorders,thesameprivileges,thesamefranchises,thesamerulesforproperty,thesamesubordinations,thesameorderinthelaw,intherevenue,andinthemagistracy;thesamelords,thesamecommons,thesamecorporations,thesameelectors。
Thechurchwasnotimpaired。Herestates,hermajesty,hersplendour,herordersandgradations,continuedthesame。Shewaspreservedinherfullefficiency,andclearedonlyofacertainintolerance,whichwasherweaknessanddisgrace。Thechurchandthestatewerethesameaftertherevolutionthattheywerebefore,butbettersecuredineverypart。
Waslittledonebecausearevolutionwasnotmadeintheconstitution?
No!Everythingwasdone;becausewecommencedwithreparation,notwithruin。Accordinglythestateflourished。Insteadoflayingasdead,inasortoftrance,orexposed,assomeothers,inanepilepticfit,tothepityorderisionoftheworld,forherwild,ridiculous,convulsivemovements,impotenttoeverypurposebutthatofdashingoutherbrainsagainstthepavement,GreatBritainroseabovethestandardevenofherformerself。Aneraofamoreimproveddomesticprosperitythencommenced,andstillcontinuesnotonlyunimpaired,butgrowing,underthewastinghandoftime。Alltheenergiesofthecountrywereawakened。
Englandneverpreservedafirmercountenance,noramorevigorousarm,toallherenemies,andtoallherrivals。Europeunderherrespiredandrevived。Everywheresheappearedastheprotector,assertor,oravenger,ofliberty。Awarwasmadeandsupportedagainstfortuneitself。ThetreatyofRyswick,whichfirstlimitedthepowerofFrance,wassoonaftermade;thegrandallianceveryshortlyfollowed,whichshooktothefoundationsthedreadfulpowerwhichmenacedtheindependenceofmankind。ThestatesofEuropelayhappyundertheshadeofagreatandfreemonarchy,whichknewhowtobegreatwithoutendangeringitsownpeaceathome,ortheinternalorexternalpeaceofanyofitsneighbours。
ARMEDDISCIPLINE。
Heknewtoowell,andhefeltasmuchasanyman,howdifficultitwastoaccommodateastandingarmytoafreeconstitution,ortoanyconstitution。Anarmed,disciplined,bodyis,initsessence,dangeroustoliberty;undisciplined,itisruinoustosociety。Itscomponentpartsare,inthelattercase,neithergoodcitizensnorgoodsoldiers。WhathavetheythoughtofinFrance,undersuchadifficultyasalmostputsthehumanfacultiestoastand?Theyhaveputtheirarmyundersuchavarietyofprinciplesofduty,thatitismorelikelytobreedlitigants,pettifoggers,andmutineers,thansoldiers。Theyhavesetup,tobalancetheircrownarmy,anotherarmy,derivingunderanotherauthority,calledamunicipalarmy——abalanceofarmies,notoforders。
Theselattertheyhavedestroyedwitheverymarkofinsultandoppression。Statesmay,andtheywillbest,existwithapartitionofcivilpowers。Armiescannotexistunderadividedcommand。Thisstateofthingshethought,ineffect,astateofwar,or,atbest,butatruceinsteadofpeace,inthecountry。
GILDEDDESPOTISM。
Inthelastcentury,LouistheFourteenthhadestablishedagreaterandbetterdisciplinedmilitaryforcethaneverhadbeenbeforeseeninEurope,andwithitaperfectdespotism。Thoughthatdespotismwasproudlyarrayedinmanners,gallantry,splendour,magnificence,andevencoveredoverwiththeimposingrobesofscience,literature,andarts,itwas,ingovernment,nothingbetterthanapaintedandgildedtyranny;
inreligion,ahard,sternintolerance,thefitcompanionandauxiliarytothedespotictyrannywhichprevailedinitsgovernment。ThesamecharacterofdespotisminsinuateditselfintoeverycourtofEurope,thesamespiritofdisproportionedmagnificence——thesameloveofstandingarmies,abovetheabilityofthepeople。Inparticular,ourthensovereigns,KingCharlesandKingJames,fellinlovewiththegovernmentoftheirneighbour,soflatteringtotheprideofkings。A
similarityofsentimentsbroughtonconnectionsequallydangeroustotheinterestsandlibertiesoftheircountry。Itwerewellthattheinfectionhadgonenofartherthanthethrone。Theadmirationofagovernmentflourishingandsuccessful,uncheckedinitsoperations,andseemingthereforetocompassitsobjectsmorespeedilyandeffectually,gainedsomethinguponallranksofpeople。Thegoodpatriotsofthatday,however,struggledagainstit。TheysoughtnothingmoreanxiouslythantobreakoffallcommunicationwithFrance,andtobegetatotalalienationfromitscouncilsanditsexample;which,bytheanimosityprevalentbetweentheabettorsoftheirreligioussystemandtheassertorsofours,wasinsomedegreeeffected。
OURFRENCHDANGERS。
InthelastagewewereindangerofbeingentangledbytheexampleofFranceinthenetofarelentlessdespotism。Itisnotnecessarytosayanythinguponthatexample。Itexistsnolonger。Ourpresentdangerfromtheexampleofapeople,whosecharacterknowsnomedium,is,withregardtogovernment,adangerfromanarchy;adangerofbeingledthroughanadmirationofsuccessfulfraudandviolence,toanimitationoftheexcessesofanirrational,unprincipled,proscribing,confiscating,plundering,ferocious,bloody,andtyrannicaldemocracy。
Onthesideofreligion,thedangeroftheirexampleisnolongerfromintolerance,butfromatheism;afoul,unnaturalvice,foetoallthedignityandconsolationofmankind;whichseemsinFrance,foralongtime,tohavebeenembodiedintoafaction,accredited,andalmostavowed。
SIRGEORGESAVILLE。
Whenanactofgreatandsignalhumanitywastobedone,anddonewithalltheweightandauthoritythatbelongedtoit,theworldwouldcastitseyesuponnonebuthim。Ihopethatfewthingswhichhaveatendencytoblessortoadornlifehavewhollyescapedmyobservationinmypassagethroughit。Ihavesoughttheacquaintanceofthatgentleman,andhaveseenhiminallsituations。Heisatruegenius;withanunderstandingvigorous,andacute,andrefined,anddistinguishingeventoexcess;andilluminatedwithamostunbounded,peculiar,andoriginalcastofimagination。Withthesehepossessesmanyexternalandinstrumentaladvantages;andhemakesuseofthemall。Hisfortuneisamongthelargest;afortunewhich,whollyunincumbered,asitis,withonesinglechargefromluxury,vanity,orexcess,sinksunderthebenevolenceofitsdispenser。Thisprivatebenevolence,expandingitselfintopatriotism,rendershiswholebeingtheestateofthepublic,inwhichhehasnotreservedapeculiumforhimselfofprofit,diversion,orrelaxation。Duringthesession,thefirstin,andthelastoutoftheHouseofCommons;hepassesfromthesenatetothecamp;and,seldomseeingtheseatofhisancestors,heisalwaysinthesenatetoservehiscountry,orinthefieldtodefendit。
CORRUPTIONNOTSELF-REFORMED。
Those,whowouldcommitthereformationofIndiatothedestroyersofit,aretheenemiestothatreformation。Theywouldmakeadistinctionbetweendirectorsandproprietors,which,inthepresentstateofthings,doesnot,cannotexist。Butarighthonourablegentlemansays,hewouldkeepthepresentgovernmentofIndiainthecourtofdirectors;
andwould,tocurbthem,providesalutaryregulations;——wonderful!Thatis,hewouldappointtheoldoffenderstocorrecttheoldoffences;andhewouldrendertheviciousandthefoolishwiseandvirtuous,bysalutaryregulations。Hewouldappointthewolfasguardianofthesheep;buthehasinventedacuriousmuzzle,bywhichthisprotectingwolfshallnotbeabletoopenhisjawsaboveaninchortwoattheutmost。Thushisworkisfinished。ButItelltherighthonourablegentleman,thatcontrolleddepravityisnotinnocence;andthatitisnotthelabourofdelinquencyinchainsthatwillcorrectabuses。Willthesegentlemenofthedirectionanimadvertonthepartnersoftheirownguilt?Neverdidaseriousplanofamendinganyoldtyrannicalestablishmentproposetheauthorsandabettorsoftheabusesasthereformersofthem。
THEBRIBEDANDTHEBRIBERS。
IfIamtospeakmyprivatesentiments,Ithinkthatinathousandcasesforoneitwouldbefarlessmischievoustothepublic,andfullaslittledishonourabletothemselves,tobepollutedwithdirectbribery,thanthustobecomeastandingauxiliarytotheoppression,usury,andpeculation,ofmultitudes,inordertoobtainacorruptsupporttotheirpower。Itisbybribing,notsooftenbybeingbribed,thatwickedpoliticiansbringruinonmankind。Avariceisarivaltothepursuitsofmany。Itfindsamultitudeofchecks,andmanyopposers,ineverywalkoflife。Buttheobjectsofambitionareforthefew;andeverypersonwhoaimsatindirectprofit,andthereforewantsotherprotection,thaninnocenceandlaw,insteadofitsrivalbecomesitsinstrument。Thereisanaturalallegianceandfealtydoyoutothisdomineering,paramountevil,fromallthevassalvices,whichacknowledgeitssuperiority,andreadilymilitateunderitsbanners;anditisunderthatdisciplinealonethatavariceisabletospreadtoanyconsiderableextent,ortorenderitselfageneral,publicmischief。
HYDERALI。
WhenatlengthHyderAlifoundthathehadtodowithmenwhoeitherwouldsignnoconvention,orwhomnotreatyandnosignaturecouldbind,andwhowerethedeterminedenemiesofhumanintercourseitself,hedecreedtomakethecountrypossessedbytheseincorrigibleandpredestinatedcriminalsamemorableexampletomankind。Heresolved,inthegloomyrecessesofamindcapaciousofsuchthings,toleavethewholeCarnaticaneverlastingmonumentofvengeance,andtoputperpetualdesolationasabarrierbetweenhimandthose,againstwhomthefaithwhichholdsthemoralelementsoftheworldtogether,wasnoprotection。Hebecameatlengthsoconfidentofhisforce,socollectedinhismight,thathemadenosecretwhatsoeverofhisdreadfulresolution。Havingterminatedhisdisputeswitheveryenemy,andeveryrival,whoburiedtheirmutualanimositiesintheircommondetestationagainstthecreditorsofthenabobofArcot,hedrewfromeveryquarterwhateverasavageferocitycouldaddtohisnewrudimentsintheartsofdestruction;andcompoundingallthematerialsoffury,havoc,anddesolation,intooneblackcloud,hehungforawhileonthedeclivitiesofthemountains。Whilsttheauthorsofalltheseevilswereidlyandstupidlygazingonthismenacingmeteor,whichblackenedalltheirhorizon,itsuddenlyburst,andpoureddownthewholeofitscontentsupontheplainsoftheCarnatic。Thenensuedasceneofwoe,thelikeofwhichnoeyehadseen,noheartconceived,andwhichnotonguecanadequatelytell。Allthehorrorsofwarbeforeknownorheardof,weremercytothatnewhavoc。Astormofuniversalfireblastedeveryfield,consumedeveryhouse,destroyedeverytemple。Themiserableinhabitantsflyingfromtheirflamingvillages,inpartwereslaughtered;others,withoutregardtosex,toage,totherespectofrank,orsacrednessoffunction,fatherstornfromchildren,husbandsfromwives,envelopedinawhirlwindofcavalry,andamidstthegoadingspearsofdrivers,andthetramplingofpursuinghorses,weresweptintocaptivity,inanunknownandhostileland。Thosewhowereabletoevadethetempestfledtothewalledcities。Butescapingfromfire,sword,andexile,theyfellintothejawsoffamine。
Thealmsofthesettlementinthisdreadfulexigency,werecertainlyliberal;andallwasdonebycharitythatprivatecharitycoulddo;butitwasapeopleinbeggary;itwasanationwhichstretchedoutitshandsforfood。Formonthstogetherthesecreaturesofsufferance,whoseveryexcessandluxuryintheirmostplenteousdayshadfallenshortoftheallowanceofourausterestfasts,silent,patient,resigned,withoutseditionordisturbance,almostwithoutcomplaint,perishedbyanhundredadayinthestreetsofMadras;everydayseventyatleastlaidtheirbodiesinthestreets,orontheglacisofTanjore,andexpiredoffamineinthegranaryofIndia。Iwasgoingtoawakeyourjusticetowardsthisunhappypartofourfellow-citizens,bybringingbeforeyousomeofthecircumstancesofthisplagueofhunger。Ofallthecalamitieswhichbesetandwaylaythelifeofman,thiscomesthenearesttoourheart,andisthatwhereintheproudestofusallfeelshimselftobenothingmorethanheis:butIfindmyselfunabletomanageitwithdecorum:thesedetailsareofaspeciesofhorrorsonauseousanddisgusting;theyaresodegradingtothesufferersandtothehearers;theyaresohumiliatingtohumannatureitself,that,onbetterthoughts,Ithinkitmoreadvisabletothrowapalloverthishideousobject,andtoleaveittoyourgeneralconceptions。