Congreſs; by a military power; or by a mob: It may not always happen that our ſoldiers are citizens, and the multitude a body of reaſonable men; virtue, as I have already remarked, is not hereditary, neither is it perpetual. Should an independency be brought about by the firſt of thoſe means, we have every opportunity and every encouragement before us, to form the nobleſt, pureſt conſtitution on the face of the earth. We have it in our power to begin the world over again. A ſituation ſimilar to the preſent hath not happened ſince the days of Noah until now. The birth-day of a new world is at hand, and a race of men, perhaps as numerous as all Europe contains, are to receive their portion of freedom from the event of a few months. The reflection is awful, and in this point of view, how trifling, how ridiculous, do the little paltry cavillings of a few weak or intereſted men appear, when weighed againſt the buſineſs of a World?
Should we neglect the preſent favourable and inviting period, and an independence be hereafter effected by any other means, we muſt charge the conſequence to ourſelves, or to thoſe rather, whoſe narrow and prejudiced ſouls are habitually oppoſing the meaſure, without either enquiring or reflecting. There are reaſons to be given in ſupport of independence, which men ſhould rather privately think of, than be publicly told of. We ought not now to be debating whether we ſhall be independent or not, but anxious to accompliſh it on a firm, ſecure and honorable baſis, and uneaſy rather that it is not yet began upon. Every day convinces us of its neceſſity. Even the Tories (if ſuch beings yet remain among us) ſhould, of all men, be the moſt ſolicitous to promote it; for as the appointment of Committees at firſt protected them from popular rage, ſo a wiſe and well eſtabliſhed form of government will be the only certain means of continuing it ſecurely to them. Wherefore, if they have not virtue enough to be Whigs, they ought to have prudence enough to wiſh for independence.
In ſhort, Independence is the only Bond that can tye and keep us together. We ſhall then ſee our object, and our ears will be legally ſhut againſt the ſchemes of an intriguing, as well as a cruel enemy. We ſhall then too be on a proper footing to treat with Britain; for there is reaſon to conclude, that the pride of that court will be leſs hurt by treating with the American States for terms of peace, than with thoſe whom ſhe denominates "rebellious ſubjects," for terms of accommodation. It is our delaying it, that encourages her to hope for conqueſt, and our backwardneſs tends only to prolong the war. As we have, without any good effect therefrom, withheld our trade to obtain a redreſs of our grievances; let us now try the alternative, by independently redreſſing them ourſelves, and then offering to open the trade. The mercantile and reaſonable part in England will be ſtill with us; becauſe, peace with trade is preferable to war without it. And if this offer be not accepted, other courts may be applied to.
