Thoughts on civil liberty, on licentiousness, and faction/Section 23

 

SECT.XXIII.

 

Of the most effectual Means of checking the Growth of Licentiousness and Faction.

 

THUS the Writer hath endeavoured to lay open the Foundations and Characters of Licentiousness and Faction: He now proceeds to consider the most effectual Means of checking them in their Progress; of restoring internal Unanimity; and securing public Freedom.

In every national Malady of this Nature, there are two Kinds of Remedies essentially distinct: The one is palliative, and temporary; the other is radical, and lasting.

The palliative Remedies ought to be first apply'd; because it will appear, that they are the only Means by which we can come at Those which are radical.

'Tis evident, then, that the first Advance towards a Cure of this national Evil must arise from the steady Conduct of the Prince. For Faction, unopposed, and led on by the higher Ranks, will never cease in its Demands, till it terminates in the Possession of an unbounded aristocratic Power: This is a Power, which nothing but the Courage and Steadiness of the Prince can possibly contend with: Because the final Object of such a Faction will always be, "Those high and lucrative Offices of State, which are in His sole Disposal."

If a Sovereign once gives Way to the Storms in which such a Faction will involve him, his Peace and Freedom, together with Those of his People, are inevitably destroyed. On the contrary, if amidst all the Tumults of Sedition, he discovers an unalterable Firmness and Fortitude, founded in upright Intentions and real Virtue; the Rage of hopeless Faction will by Degrees subside; and a Prospect of better Times will open upon Him and his People. This general Truth might be commented on: But at present, the Writer can with Satisfaction leave it to the impartial Public, to find a more instructive and Living Comment.