Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Decline And Fall Of The Dutch Republic.
chief magistracy ofthe state to be insulted and trampled--under foot by a giddy and capricious multitude . In turning our eyes towards Holland , we may observe that the preeminence which accidental circumstances conferred upon the house of Orange was confirmed by the singular virtue , as well as extraordinary talents , of many of its members . The courage , the wisdom , and the . pietyofthe first William at once commanded esteemdisarmed
mur-, , muring , and excited veneration : in the moderation of his own passions , and the conscious reaitude of his own mind , he had the best security for the affeaions of his fellow citizens , and the surest consolation in case of their forgetfulness or ingratitude . The abilities of Maurice were rather adapted to the field than the senate ; the duties of the general were discharged with honourfidelityand skill ; ambition and
, , resentment obscured the glory ofthe statesman , and the conqueror of Spinolawas transformed into the prosecutor of Barnevelt and Grotius . The defeas of the Dutch constitution began to . appear at this early period of their independence , religious animosity added fuel to the flame which contending faaions had excited , and the theological
tenets of Armmius and Calvin , the political dissensions of the Stadtholder and the aristocracy , divided and weakened the rising republic . After a series of popular commotions and of bloody wars , the vigorous administration of William the Third restored stability to . the councils of the states , and re-established the glory of her arms ; but the merits of an individual could not obviate the radical defeas in the government of his country : irresolute conduitfeeble exertions
, , and abjea concessions have since charaaerized the demeanor of the United Provinces . Without the aid of a popular assembly to stimulate the tardiness of aristocratic deliberations , or check the encroachments of executive power , the commonwealth has slowly vibrated between the extremes of oligarchical domination and simple monarchy , except when she has been driven to the one point or the other by the
impetuous and overbearing influence of Great Britain , Prussia , and France . May we be taught b y her fate to remember , that a partisan is never a patriot , and that the safety of a community is best obtained by granting all its members a share of the benefits it can bestow , independent of the favour of a faction at home , or the influence of a . foreign potentate or convention !
The great end of a fcederal union among , independent states is at once to insure their own happiness , and the adoption of such measures as may be deemed essential to the general welfare . In order to effectuate this purpose , while the superintendance of domestic police , and the discharge of the judicial functions , may be safely entrusted with the inhabitants of each particular district , the right of making peace and warof levying taxes , framing systems of legislationand contraaing
, , alliances should be entrusted to the general assembly of the states . Contrary to this plan of regulation , the states of the particular provinces had the power of impeding , if not counteracting the most important resolutions of the States General , and under the colour of preserving its own freedom unimpaired , might each produce schemes the most conducive to the benefit of the . whole . This creation of an imperhan
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Decline And Fall Of The Dutch Republic.
chief magistracy ofthe state to be insulted and trampled--under foot by a giddy and capricious multitude . In turning our eyes towards Holland , we may observe that the preeminence which accidental circumstances conferred upon the house of Orange was confirmed by the singular virtue , as well as extraordinary talents , of many of its members . The courage , the wisdom , and the . pietyofthe first William at once commanded esteemdisarmed
mur-, , muring , and excited veneration : in the moderation of his own passions , and the conscious reaitude of his own mind , he had the best security for the affeaions of his fellow citizens , and the surest consolation in case of their forgetfulness or ingratitude . The abilities of Maurice were rather adapted to the field than the senate ; the duties of the general were discharged with honourfidelityand skill ; ambition and
, , resentment obscured the glory ofthe statesman , and the conqueror of Spinolawas transformed into the prosecutor of Barnevelt and Grotius . The defeas of the Dutch constitution began to . appear at this early period of their independence , religious animosity added fuel to the flame which contending faaions had excited , and the theological
tenets of Armmius and Calvin , the political dissensions of the Stadtholder and the aristocracy , divided and weakened the rising republic . After a series of popular commotions and of bloody wars , the vigorous administration of William the Third restored stability to . the councils of the states , and re-established the glory of her arms ; but the merits of an individual could not obviate the radical defeas in the government of his country : irresolute conduitfeeble exertions
, , and abjea concessions have since charaaerized the demeanor of the United Provinces . Without the aid of a popular assembly to stimulate the tardiness of aristocratic deliberations , or check the encroachments of executive power , the commonwealth has slowly vibrated between the extremes of oligarchical domination and simple monarchy , except when she has been driven to the one point or the other by the
impetuous and overbearing influence of Great Britain , Prussia , and France . May we be taught b y her fate to remember , that a partisan is never a patriot , and that the safety of a community is best obtained by granting all its members a share of the benefits it can bestow , independent of the favour of a faction at home , or the influence of a . foreign potentate or convention !
The great end of a fcederal union among , independent states is at once to insure their own happiness , and the adoption of such measures as may be deemed essential to the general welfare . In order to effectuate this purpose , while the superintendance of domestic police , and the discharge of the judicial functions , may be safely entrusted with the inhabitants of each particular district , the right of making peace and warof levying taxes , framing systems of legislationand contraaing
, , alliances should be entrusted to the general assembly of the states . Contrary to this plan of regulation , the states of the particular provinces had the power of impeding , if not counteracting the most important resolutions of the States General , and under the colour of preserving its own freedom unimpaired , might each produce schemes the most conducive to the benefit of the . whole . This creation of an imperhan