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for their protector and guardian: Nor would they have any reaſon to mourn, if ſome HERCULES ſhould appear [1]
- ↑ ſubmiſſion ſhould be paid to them: but, on the contrary, that they ſhould be totally diſcarded; and the authority which they were before veſted with, tranſferred to others, who may exerciſe it more to thoſe good purpoſes for which it is given.—Nor is this principle, that reſiſtance to the higher powers, is, in ſome extraordinary caſes, juſtifiable, ſo liable to abuſe, as many perſons ſeem to apprehend it. For although there will be always ſome petulant, querulous men, in every ſtate—men of factious, turbulent and carping diſpoſitions,—glad to lay hold of any trifle to juſtify and legitimate their caballing againſt their rulers, and other ſeditious practices; yet there are, comparatively ſpeaking, but few men of this contemptible character. It does not appear but that mankind, in general, have a diſpoſition to be as ſubmiſſive and paſſive and tame under government as they ought to be.—Witneſs a great, if not the greateſt, part of the known world, who are now groaning, but not murmuring, under the heavy yoke of tyranny! While thoſe who govern, do it with any tolerable degree of moderation and juſtice, and, in any good meaſure act up to their office and character, by being public benefactors; the people will generally be eaſy and peaceable; and be rather inclined to flatter and adore, than to inſult and reſiſt, them. Nor was there ever any general complaint againſt any adminiſtration, which laſted long, but what there was good reaſon for. Till people find themſelves greatly abuſed and oppreſſed by their governors, they are not apt to complain; and whenever they do, in fact, find themſelves thus abuſed and oppreſſed, they muſt be ſtupid not to complain. To ſay that ſubjects in general are not proper judges when their governors oppreſs them, and play the tyrant; and when they defend their rights, adminiſter juſtice impartially, and promote the public welfare, is as great treaſon as ever man uttered;—'tis treaſon,—not againſt one ſingle man, but the ſtate—againſt the whole body politic;—'tis treaſon againſt mankind;—'tis treaſon againſt common ſenſe;—'tis treaſon againſt God. And this impious principle lays the foundation for juſtifying all the tyranny and oppreſſion that ever any prince was guilty of. The people know for what end they ſet up, and maintain, their governors; and they are the proper judges when they execute their truſt as they ought to do it;—when their prince exerciſes an equitable and paternal authority over them;—when from a prince and common father, he exalts himſelf into a tyrant—when from ſubjects and children, he degrades them into the claſs of ſlaves;—plunders them, makes them his prey, and unnaturally ſports himſelf with their lives and fortunes.
