"If this proposition will bear an hundred different constructions, they must all be admitted before any that imports any bad meaning, much more a treasonable one.
"It is conceived the house intended nothing disrespectful to his majesty, his government, or governor, in those words. It would be very injurious to insinuate this of a house, that upon all occasions has distinguished itself by a truly loyal spirit, and which spirit possesses at least nine hundred and ninety nine in a thousand, of their constituents throughout the province. One good natured construction at least seems to be implied in the assertion, and that pretty strongly, viz: that in the present situation of Great Britain and France, it is of vast importance to be a Britain rather than a Frenchman, as the French king is an arbitrary, despotic prince, but the king of Great Britain is not so de jure, de facto, nor by inclination; a greater difference on this side the grave cannot be found, than that which subsists between British subjects and the slaves of tyranny.
"Perhaps it may be objected, that there is some difference even between arbitrary princes; in this respect at least, that some are more vigorous than others. It is granted; but, then, let it be remembered, that the life of man is a vapour, that shall soon vanish away, and we know not who may come after him, a wise man or a fool; though the chances before and since Solomon have ever been in favour of the latter. Therefore it is said of little consequence. Had it been no instead of little, the clause upon the most rigid stricture might have been found barely exceptionable.
"Some fine gentlemen have charged the expression as indelicate. This is a capital impeachment in politics, and therefore demands our most serious attention. The idea of delicacy, in the creed of some politicians, implies, that an inferior should, at the peril of all that is near and dear to him, i. e. his interest, avoid, every the least trifle that can offend his superior. Does my superior want my estate? I must give it him, and that with a good grace; which is appearing, and, if possible, being really obliged to him, that he will condescend to take it. The reason is evident; it might give him some little pain or uneasiness to see me whimpering, much more openly complaining, at the loss of a little glittering dirt. I must according to this system, not only endeavour to acquire myself, but impress upon all around me, a reverence and passive obedience, to the sentiments of my superior, little short of adoration. Is the superior in contemplation a king, I must consider him as God's Vicegerent, cloathed with unlimited power, his will the supreme law, and not accountable for his actions, let them be what they may, to any tribunal upon earth. Is the superior a plantation governor? He must be viewed, not only as the most excellent representation of majesty, but as a viceroy in his department, and quoad provincial administration, to all intents and purposes, vested with all the prerogatives that were ever exercised by the most absolute prince in Great Britain.
"The votaries of this sect, are all monopolizers of offices, peculators, informers, and generally the seekers of all kinds. It is better, say they, to "give up any thing, and every thing quietly, than contend with a superior, who, by his prerogative, can do, and as the vulgar express it, right or wrong, will have whatever he pleases. For you must know, that according to some of the most refined and fashionable systems of modern politics, the ideas of right and wrong, and all the moral virtues, are to be considered only as the vagaries of a weak and distempered imagination in the possessor, and of no use in the world, but for the skilful politician to convert to his own purposes of power and profit. With these
|
"The love of country is an empty name; For gold they hunger, but ne'er thirst for fame." |
"It is well known, that the least "patriotic spark" unawares "catched" and discovered, disqualifies a candidate from all further preferment in this famous and flourishing order of knights errant. It must, however, be confessed, that they are so catholic as to admit all sorts, from the knights of the post, to a garter and star, provided they are thoroughly divested of the fear of God, and the love of mankind; and have concentrated all their views in dear self, with them the only "sacred and well beloved name" or thing in the universe. See Cardinal Richlieu's Political Testament, and the greater Bible of the Sect, Mandeville's Fable of the Bees. Richlieu expressly, in solemn earnest, without any sarcasm or irony, advises the discarding all honest men from the presence of a prince, and from even the purlieus of a court. According to Mandeville, "the moral virtues are the political offspring which flattery begot upon pride." The most darling principle of the great apostle of the order, who has done more than any mortal towards diffusing corruption, not only through the three kingdoms, but through the remotest dominions, is, that every man has his price, and that if you bid high enough you are sure of him.
"To those who have been taught to bow at the name of a king, with as much ardor and devotion as a papist at the sight of a crucifix, the assertion under examination may appear harsh; but there is an immense difference between the sentiments of a British house of commons remonstrating, and those of a courtier cringing for a favour. A house of representatives here, at least, bears an equal proportion to a governor, with that of a house of commons, to the king. There is indeed one difference in favour of a house of representatives; when a house of commons address the king, they speak to their sovereign, who is truly the most august personage upon earth. When a house of representatives remonstrate to a governor, they speak to a fellow subject, though a superior who is undoubtedly entitled to decency and respect; but I hardly think to quite so much reverence as his master.
"It may not be amiss to observe, that a form of speech may be in no sort improper, when used arguendo, or for illustration, speaking of the king; which same form may be very harsh, indecent and ridiculous, if spoken to the king.