The War for the Sake of H——, has been carried on after a Manner so dishonourable, not to say infamous, and so expensive, that the old Standards, for a Reason easily pointed out, look upon a Peace to be absolutely necessary. The Conduct of the War will not suffer them to hope that equitable Terms will be allow’d them; on the other hand, they must be sensible, that the People have a greater Regard to the Honour of the Nation than to private Interest, and will be against sheathing the Sword, till the Blood of our foreign Enemies has wash’d off the Stain fix’d on the Glory of the Nation by her domestic Foes. In this Dilemma they may think it the best, indeed the only Expedient to cast the Burden on the Favourites of the People. If they accept of Peace on dishonourable Terms, the late M—rs are acquitted; if they reject it, any Misfortunes that may attend the War will be intirely cast upon them. In a Word, the Ministers have entangled the Skein, and call upon the Patriots to disentangle it, or share the Odium of their Folly and Wickedness. They have woven the Gordian Knot, and the Friends of the People are to loose it.
Over. We shall soon see who are the Peoples Friends.
Broad. Can you have any Doubt concerning them?
Blunt. Were not those Deserters lately thrust from the Barn, the Peoples Friends too before they were ingrafted on the Ministry? All are the Peoples Friends while they are rising on the Shoulders of the People; but when once they are up, away goes the Scaffolding. Mr. Broadbottom, I believe you are a Friend to the People, or I would not support your last Election, or your present Re-election; but if you would convince us you are truly so, let us see you heartily endeavouring to obtain something for those willing People that have drain’d their Vitals to comply with a C—t and Ministry, and bore the Heat of the Day. Restore us our Triennial Parliaments.
Sir John. Or rather our Annual Parliaments, which was the ancient Constitution. But, Mr. Broadbottom, let us have them without Purchase. I understand the C—l L—st is greatly incumber’d. I hope ’tis not intended to clear it at the People’s Expence, before the annual Produce of it be fairly stated and known.
Blunt. Can you expect to know any thing the Court has a mind you should not, while Seven’s the Main?
Over. No more Septs say I; I believe I shall never love the Number Seven again, as long as live.
Sir John. Seven or Seventy would be of little Significancy in a Country and Age less corrupt than ours. But considering the present Depravity, I must confess that septennial Parliaments afford Ministers more Opportunity than I would willingly allow them, to put in Practice the Arts of the Cabinet.
Rose. If the Depravity be so great and general as you represent it, how shall our Condition be better’d by a Repeal of the septennial Law? The Cabinet Arts, which you so much apprehend, may be as well practised on the triennial as septennial Servants of the People.
Over. To prevent which, let us do as our braver, honester Popish Ancestors did.