Page:An Account of Corsica (1769).djvu/46

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36
INTRODUCTION.

government and the people, that the rights of each should not be expressly defined.

But flagrant injustice, on one side or other, is not to be concealed; and, without question, it is the privilege of the side that is injured, to vindicate itself.

I have been led into these reflections from a consideration of the arguments by which ingenious men in the refinement of politicks have endeavoured to amuse mankind, and turn away their attention from the plain and simple notions of liberty.

Liberty is indeed the parent of felicity, of every noble virtue, and even of every art and science. Whatever vain attempts have been made to raise the generous plants under an oppressive climate, have only shewn more evidently the value of freedom.

It is therefore no wonder that the world has at all times been roused at the mention of liberty; and that we read with admiration and a virtuous enthusiasm, the gallant achievements of those who have distinguished themselves in the glorious cause, and the history of states who were animated with the principle of freedom, and made it the basis of their constitution.