Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Essays On Subjects Connected With History And Classical Learning.
to demand the sacrifice ; and public duties must always be considered as obligations of a superior kind , as well as prior to every duly of a private nature . The Prince , before he assumed the reins of government , obtained the consent of the people in a manner as universal as the nature of the case would admit . Whilst the governments of other countries have grown out of time , or chance , or accidentours has been established upon the consent of the peoplea
, , , consent more voluntary , and more general , than any ofhercountry can boast , America alone excepted . The alacrity and readiness with which all orders obeyed the directions of their deliverer , were a sufficient proof of their consent ; and arguing upon this ground , shall we say , that -the invitations from the nobility and people to the Prince for the recovery of their laws and liberty , ought to have
been rejected ? When rival parties forgot their wonted animosity , when ( burying their mutual jealousies and mutual injuries in oblivion ) they could secretly concur in a design of resisting their misguided and bigoted sovereign , was William bound , or would he have been justified , in betraying the confidence they had reposed in him ? Shall he be considered as criminal for concurring in the secret negociations which were requisite for the success of their design ?
Ordid the infatuation and confidence of James , in the divine origin of his title , render it incumbent on his nephew to disclose the planswhich were forming against him . The same causes , and the same principles , which justified the end , must necessarily justify the means .
requisite to its attainment . And if from the conduct and apparent de ~ . signs of James , there were grounds for the fears of his subjects , just reason to dread the assassination of their freedom , in whatever relation William might unfortunately stand , whatever , obligations hemig ht owe to the ties of blood or of affinity , who shall dare to say that lie ought not to have assisted in the frustration of so wicked a purpose ? It is not impossible indeedthat he did beginin the year 1688 to .
, , , wish that James mig ht be driven from the throne ; but facts seem byno means to warrant so severe a conclusion . If he did , however , we shall shortly judge , whether it was from a thirst after the bubble of sovereignty , or from zeal for the independence of these kingdoms ,, and regard for the liberties of Europe . The many and great dilii-. culties with which this undaunted Patriot had to . contend , are a .
powerful justification of the means which he . was obliged to adopt . . How universally does self-interest dispose mankind to resist the most salutary changes ! How few revolutions have been accomplished , except the resentment of the people has been first aggravated by magnifying the crimes of ministers and the vices of rulers ! And wecan but regretthat it should have been necessary to employ so much
, deceit and hypocrisy to the attainment of so desirable an object , and that the purity of King William ' s character should have everbeen polluted by its unavoidable connection with the foul duplicity of Sunderland . But 'the man , whose squeamish virtue revolts at the profligacy of some members of his party , is fit only for mourning over the ruins of his country . ' * [ To be continued . ' )
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Essays On Subjects Connected With History And Classical Learning.
to demand the sacrifice ; and public duties must always be considered as obligations of a superior kind , as well as prior to every duly of a private nature . The Prince , before he assumed the reins of government , obtained the consent of the people in a manner as universal as the nature of the case would admit . Whilst the governments of other countries have grown out of time , or chance , or accidentours has been established upon the consent of the peoplea
, , , consent more voluntary , and more general , than any ofhercountry can boast , America alone excepted . The alacrity and readiness with which all orders obeyed the directions of their deliverer , were a sufficient proof of their consent ; and arguing upon this ground , shall we say , that -the invitations from the nobility and people to the Prince for the recovery of their laws and liberty , ought to have
been rejected ? When rival parties forgot their wonted animosity , when ( burying their mutual jealousies and mutual injuries in oblivion ) they could secretly concur in a design of resisting their misguided and bigoted sovereign , was William bound , or would he have been justified , in betraying the confidence they had reposed in him ? Shall he be considered as criminal for concurring in the secret negociations which were requisite for the success of their design ?
Ordid the infatuation and confidence of James , in the divine origin of his title , render it incumbent on his nephew to disclose the planswhich were forming against him . The same causes , and the same principles , which justified the end , must necessarily justify the means .
requisite to its attainment . And if from the conduct and apparent de ~ . signs of James , there were grounds for the fears of his subjects , just reason to dread the assassination of their freedom , in whatever relation William might unfortunately stand , whatever , obligations hemig ht owe to the ties of blood or of affinity , who shall dare to say that lie ought not to have assisted in the frustration of so wicked a purpose ? It is not impossible indeedthat he did beginin the year 1688 to .
, , , wish that James mig ht be driven from the throne ; but facts seem byno means to warrant so severe a conclusion . If he did , however , we shall shortly judge , whether it was from a thirst after the bubble of sovereignty , or from zeal for the independence of these kingdoms ,, and regard for the liberties of Europe . The many and great dilii-. culties with which this undaunted Patriot had to . contend , are a .
powerful justification of the means which he . was obliged to adopt . . How universally does self-interest dispose mankind to resist the most salutary changes ! How few revolutions have been accomplished , except the resentment of the people has been first aggravated by magnifying the crimes of ministers and the vices of rulers ! And wecan but regretthat it should have been necessary to employ so much
, deceit and hypocrisy to the attainment of so desirable an object , and that the purity of King William ' s character should have everbeen polluted by its unavoidable connection with the foul duplicity of Sunderland . But 'the man , whose squeamish virtue revolts at the profligacy of some members of his party , is fit only for mourning over the ruins of his country . ' * [ To be continued . ' )