repeatedly deceived. Yet it operates together with the freedom of the Press as a considerable check upon absolute power. It promotes emulation among the candidates for power, and though not so well calculated to build as to destroy, yet it keeps the publick awake and operates as a powerful negative, which in fact is the great requisite in all governments; for Providence has so constituted the world, that very little government is necessary.
"After the assembly at Philadelphia had sat a long time, from day to day, considering what form of Government they should adopt, Dr. Franklin rose (and from his great reputation for sagacity and wisdom excited profound attention, some great plan being expected), to express his apprehension that if some plan was not speedily adopted, the people out of doors would learn a most dangerous secret, that things might go on very well without any positive form of government. How are all markets supplied? All the Governments of Europe have been more or less occupied about the supply of their capitals, except London, which has never wanted. The grazier and the gardener know the amount of the demand ten times better than any legislator. What mischief has been done by legislating about corn, from which England even has not been exempt! Holland has left the corn trade entirely free, and has never felt what scarcity was. A negative Government will not do in order to make conquests or to keep distant Governments in dependence. But is that intended, or what good purpose of any kind does it answer? See a MS. on this subject which I wrote among my papers, the only paper I ever corrected which I mislaid, but must be found.
"The worst of factions and parties is that the leader of a party is obliged to follow the prejudices of the moment, which are accidental, and must be suited to the level of the meanest capacity in order to take in numbers, which are always governed by passion, never by reason, and never fail to think the more violent counsels the best, and thus quickly lose all sense of reason."
