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Hear a paradox, it is a true one. Give up your colonies, they are yours: keep them, they are ours. This is what I most tremble at: excuse me—I am an Englishman—it touches me the most nearly.
Oh, but the people of Bourdeaux—Well—what of the people of Bourdeaux? Are the passions of one town to set at nought the interest of the whole nation? Are justice, prosperity, possibility to be fought with for their sake?—Think more honourably of their patriotism. Address them, enlighten them, persuade them: and if you find a difficulty in bridling that speck on your own continent, think whether you will find it easier to master so many vast and distant islands, with Britain on their side.
To yield to justice is what must happen to the mightiest and proudest nations. Disgrace or honour follows, according to the mode. Britain yielded to America: Britain yielded to Ireland. On which occasion was her dignity best preserved?
Sitting where you do, call it not courage to drive on in the track of war and violence.
