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CONCIONES AD POPULUM.

OR

4 DDR E S S E S

TO THE

PEOPLE.

By S. T. COLERIDGE. 1795.

Akist. Achahn. 37-

■mrn r, ~i Mil m ■ ui nri »r npn ip i.

PRE FACE.

r 1 ^HE two following addrefles were delivered in -"- the month February, 1795, and were fol- lowed by fix others in defence of natural and revealed Religion. There is " a time to keep filence " faith King Solomon j — but when I pro- ceeded to the iirft Verfe of the fourth Chapter of the Ecclefiaftes, " and confidered all the oppreffions that are done under the Sun, and behold the Tears of fuch as were opprefled, and they had no com- forter 5 and on the fide of the oppreffors there was power " — I concluded, that this was not the " time to keep filence." — For Truth mould be fpoken at all times, but more efpecially at thofe times, when to fpeak Truth is dangerous.

Chvedoriy November \Qtkf

v'

A LETTER from LIBERTY To her dear Friend FAMINE.

Dear Famine,

YOU will doubtlefs be furprized at receiving a petitionary Letter from a perfect Stranger, But Fas eft vel ab hofte. All whom I once fup- pofed my unalterable friends, I have found unable or unwilling to affift me. I firft applied to Grati- tude, entreating her to whifperintotheearof Ma- jefty, that it was I, who had placed bis forefathers on the throne of Great Britain — She told me, that fhe had frequently made the attempt, but as frequently had been baffled by Flattery : and that I might not doubt the truth of her apology, the led me (as the Spirit did the prophet Ezekiel) " to the Door of the Court, and I went in, and faw — and be- liold ! every form of creeping T.Mngs. ' I Was however fomewhat confoled, when 1 heard that Religion was high in favour there, and poffefTed great influence. I myfelf had been her faithful fervant, and always found her my beft prote&refs : her fervice being indeed perfect Freedom. Accord- ingly in full confidence of fuccefs I entered her manfion — but alas ! inftead of my kind Miftrefs, horror-ftruck I beheld " a' painted patched-up old

Harlot."

Harlot." She was arrayed in purple and fcarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious ftones and pearls, and upon her Forehead was written " Mystery." I fhriek'd, for I knew her to be the Dry-nurfe of that detefted Imp, Defpotifm. I next addreffed myfelf to Prudence — and earn- eftly befought her to plead my caufe to the minifters^ to urge the diftreffes of the lower order, and my fears left fo diftreft they lhould forget their obedi- ence. For the prophet Ifaiah Lad informed me " that it fhall come to pafs, that when the People fhall be hungry, they fhall fret themfelves and curfe the King." The grave matron heard me — and making her head learnedlyreplied," QuosDeus vult perdere, dementat." Again I befought her to fpeak to the rich men of the nation, concerning minifters of whom it might foon become illegal even to complain — of long and ruinous wars — and whether they mull not bear the damage. All this (quoth Prudence) I have repeatedly urged -, but a fly Impoftor has ufurped my name, and ftruck fuch a panic of Property, as hath fteeled the heart of the wealthy and palfied their intellects. Lafily, I applied to Conscience. She informed me, that ihe was indeed a perfect ventriloquifl and could throw her -voice into any place ibe liked ; but tlia-t

Abe

6

fhe was feldom attended to, unlefs when me appeared to fpeak out of the- Pocket.

Thus baffled and friendlefs, I was about to de- part, and flood a fearful lingerer on the Ifle, which I had fo dearly loved — when tidings were brought me of your approach. I found mvfelf impelled by a power fuperior to me to build my laft hopes on you. — Liberty, the Mother of Plenty, calls Famine to her aid. O Famine, moft eloquent God- defs ! plead thou my caufe. I meantime will pray fervently that Heaven may unfeal the ears of its vicegerents, fo that they may liften to your firft pleadings, while yet your voice is faint and dif- tant, and your counfels peaceable. —

I remain

Your diftreft Suppliant,

Dover Cliffs. LIBERTY.

J ntrotntftofp ®ttoxtl&

(

INTROD UCTORY

ADDRESS.

-^cs^te?—

WHEN the Wind is fair and the Planks of the Veffel found, we may fafely truft every thing to the management of profeffional Mariners : in a Temper!: and on board a crazy Bark, all rauft contribute their Quota of Exertion. The Stripling is not exempted from it by his Youth, nor the Paffenger by his Inexperience, Even to, in the prefent agitations of the public mind, every one ought to conlider his intellectual faculties as in a ftate of immediate requisition, All may benefit Society in fome degree. The exigences of the Times do not permit us to fray for the matureft years, left the opportunity be loit, while we are waiting for an increafe of power.

A Companies

8

Companies refembling the prefent will, from a variety of circumftances, confift chiefly of the zea- lous Advocates for Freedom. It will therefore be our endeavour, not fo much to excite the torpid, as to regulate the feelings of the ardent : and above all, to evince the neceflity of bottoming on fixed Principles, that fo we may not be the unliable Patriots of Paffion or Accident, nor hurried away by names of which we have not lifted the mean- . ing, and by tenets of which we have not examined the confequences. The Times are trying ; and in order to be prepared againft their difficulties, we fhould have acquired a prompt facility of adverting in all our doubts to fome grand and comprehenlive Truth. In a deep and ftrong Soil rauft that Tree fix its Roots, the height of which, is to " reach to Heaven, and the Sight of it to the ends of all the Earth."

The Example of France is indeed a " Warning to Britain." A Nation wading to their Rights through Blood, and marking the track of Freedom by Devaluation ! Yet let us not embattle our Feelings againft our Reafon. Let us not indulge our malignant Pallions under the mafk of Huma- nity. Inftead of railing witn infuriate declamation

asjainft

9 ■'■;.,••',

againft thefe excefTes, we mail be more profitably employed In developing the fources of them. French Freedom is the Beacon, which while it guides to Equality, mould fliew us the Dangers that throng the road.

The Annals of the French Revolution have recorded in Letters of Blood, that the Knowledge of the Few cannot counteract, the Ignorance of the Many ; that the Light of Philofophy, when it is confined to a fmall Minority, points out the PorTefTors as the Viclims, rather than the Illumi- nators, of the Multitude. The Patriots of France either haftened into the dangerous and gigantic Error of making certain Evil the means of contin- gent Good, or were facrificed by the Mob, with whofe prejudices and ferocity their unbending- Virtue forbade them to affimilate. Like Sampfon, the People were ftrong — like Sampfon, the Peo- ple were blind. Thofe two mafly Pillars of Oppref- fion's Temple, Monarchy and Ariftocracy,

With horrible Convulfion to and fro

They tugg'd, they (hook — till down they came and drew

The whole Roof after them with burft of Thunder

Upon the heads of all who fat beneath,

Lords, Ladies, Captains, Counfellors, and Priefts,

Their choice Nobility !

Milton. Sam. Agon.

A 2 There

10

There was not a Tyrant in Europe, who did not tremble on his Throne. Freedom herfelf heard the Cram aghaft ! —

The Girondifts, who were the firfl republicans in power, were men of enlarged views and great literary attainments ; but they feem to have been deficient in that vigour and daring activity, which circumftances made neceflary. Men of genius are rarely either prompt in action or confident in general conduct : their early habits have been thofe of contemplative indolence ; and the day- dreams, with which they have been accuftomed to amufe their folitude, adapt them for fplendid fpe- culation, not temperate and practicable counfels. Briffot, the leader of the Gironde party, is entitled to the character of a virtuous man, and an eloquent fpeaker ; but he was rather a fublime vifionary^ than a quick-eyed politician 5 and his excellences equally with his faults rendered him unfit for the helm, in the ftormy hour of Revolution. Robefpierre, who difplaced him, pofTeffed a glow- ing ardor that ftill remembered the end, and a cool ferocity that never either overlooked, or fcrupled, the means. What that end was, is not known : that it was a wicked one, has by no

mean?

11

means been proved. I rather think, that the dis- tant profpect, to which he was travelling, appeared to him grand and beautiful; but that he fixed his eye on it with fuch intenfe eagernefs as to neglect the foulnefs of the road. If however his firft intentions were pure, his fubfequent enormities yield us a melancholy proof, that it is not the cha- racter of the pofTeffor which directs the power, but the power which fhapes and depraves the character of the pofTefibr. In Robefpierre, its influence was arlifled by the properties of his difpofition. — Enthufiafm, even in the gentleft tem- per, will frequently generate fenfations of an unkindly order. If we clearly perceive any one thing to be of vafl and infinite importance to our- felves and all mankind, our firft feelings impel us to turn with angry contempt from thofe, who doubt and oppofe it. The ardor of undifciplined benevolence feduces us into malignity : and when- ever our hearts are warm, and our objects great and excellent, intolerance is the fin that does moft eafily befet us. But this enthufiafm in Robefpierre was blended with gloom, and fuf- picioulhefs, and inordinate vanity. His dark imagination was ftill brooding over fuppofed plots

againft freedom — to prevent tyranny he became a

Tyrant —

12

«

Tyrant — and having realized the evils which he fufpe£ted, a wild and dreadful Tyrant. — Thofe loud-tongued adulators, the mob, over- powered the lone-whifpered denunciations of con- ference— he defpotized in all the pomp of Patrio- tifm, and mafqueraded on the bloody ftage of Revolution, a Caligula with the cap of Liberty on his head.

It has been affirmed, and I believe with truth, that the fyftem of Terrorifm by fufpending the firuggles of contrariant Factions communicated an

so

energy to the operations of the Republic, which had been hitherto unknown, and without which it could not have been prefer ved. The fyftem depended for its exiftence on the general fenfe of its neceflity, and when it had anfwered its end, it was foon deftroyed by the fame power that had given it birth — popular opinion. It muft not however be difguifed, that at all times, but more efpecially when the public feelings are wavy and tumultuous, artful Demagogues may create this opinion : and they, who are inclined to tolerate evil as the means of contingent good, ihould reflect, that if the excerTes of terrorifm gave to the Republic that efficiency and repuljive force

which

13

which its circumstances made neceffaryj they likewife afforded to the hoftile Courts the moft powerful fupport, and excited that indignation and horror, which every where precipitated the fubject into the defigns of the ruler. Nor let it be forgotten, that thefe exceffes perpetuated the war in La Vendee and made it more terrible, both by the acceffion of numerous partizans, who had fled from the perfecution of Robefpierre, and by infpiring the Chouans with frefh fury, and an unfubmitting fpirit of revenge and defperation.

Revolutions are fudden to the unthinking only. Political Disturbances happen not without their warning Harbingers. Strange Rumblings and confufed Noifes ftill precede thefe earthquakes and hurricanes of the moral World. The procefs of Revolution in France has been dreadful, and mould incite us to examine with an anxious eye the motives and manners of thofe, whofe conduct and opinions feem calculated to forward a fimilar event in our own country. The oppofitionifls to " things as they are," are divided into many and different claHes. To delineate them with an unflattering accuracy may be a delicate, but it is

a

14

a necefTary Tafk, in order that we may enlighten, or at leaft beware of, the mifguided Men who have enlifted under the banners of Liberty, from no principles or with bad ones: whether they be thofe, who

admire they know not what, And know not whom, but as one leads the other :

or whether thofe,

Whofe end is private Hate, not help to Freedom, Adverfe and turbulent when me would lead To Virtue.

The majority of Democrats appear to me to have attained that portion of knowledge in politics, which Infidels pqfTefs in religion. I would by no means be fuppofed to imply, that the objections of both are equally unfounded, but that they both attribute to the fyftem which they reject, all the evils exifting under it j and that both con- templating truth and juftice iC in the nakednefs of abftraclion," condemn conftitutions and dif- penfations without ha\ing fufhciently examined the natures^ circumftances, and capacities of their recipients.

The firfl Clafs among the profelTed Friends of Liberty is compofed of Men, who unaccaftomed

to

15

to the labour of thorough inveftigation, and not particularly oppreffed by the Burthen of State, are yet impelled by their feelings to difapprove of its grofTer depravities, and prepared to give an indolent Vote in favour of Reform. Their fenii- bilities unbraced by the co-operation of fixed Principles, they offer no facrifices to the divinity of active Virtue. Their political Opinions depend with weather-cock uncertainty on the wind3 of rumour, that blow from France. On the report of French victories they blaze into Republicanifm, at a tale of French excefles they darken into Ariftocrats; and feek for fhelter among thofe defpicable adherents to fraud and tyranny, who ironically flyle themfelves Conftitutionalifts. — Thefe dough-baked Patriots are not however ufe- lefs. This ofcillation of political opinion will retard the day of Revolution, and it will operate as a preventive to its exceffes. Indecifivenefs of character, though the effect of timidity, is almoft always affociated with benevolence.

Wilder features characterize the fecond clafs. Sufficiently pofTeffed of natural fenfe to defpife the Priefl, . and of natural feeling to hate the Oppreffor, they liften only to the inflammatory

B harangues

harangues of ibme mad-headed Enthufiaft, and imbibe from them Poifon, not Food ; Rage, not Liberty. Uniilumined by Philofophy, and Simu- lated to a lull of revenge by aggravated wrongs, they would make the Altar of Freedom ftream with blood, while the grafs grew in the defolated halls of Juftice. Thefe men are the rude materials from which a deferrable Minirter manufactures confpiracies. Among thefe men he fends a brood of fly political monfters, in the character of fan- guinary Demagogues, and like Satan of old, 61 the Tempter ere the Accufer," enfhares a few into Treafon, that he may alarm the whole into Slavery. He, who has dark purpofes to ferve, mult ufe dark means — light would difcover, rea- fon would expofe him : he mull endeavour to fhut out both — or if this prove impracticable, make them appear frightful by giving them frightful names : for farther than Names the Vulgar enquire not. Religion and Reafon are but poor fubftitutes for " Church and Conftitution ;" and the fable-verted InfUgators of the Birmingham riots well knew, that a Syllogifm could not dif- arm a drunken Incendiary of his Firebrand, or a Demonstration helmet a Philofpher's head again ft a Brickbat. But in the principles, which this

Apoftate

n

Apoftate has, by his emiffaries, Town among a few blind zealots for Freedom, he has digged a pit into which he himfelf may perhaps be doomed to fall. We contemplate thofe principles with horror. Yet they poflefs a kind of wild Juftice well calculated to fpread them among the grofly ignorant. To unenlightened minds, there are terrible charms in the idea of Retribution, how- ever favagely it be inculcated. The Groans of the OppreiTors make fearful yet pleafant mufic to the ear of him, whofe mind is darknefs, and into whofe foul the iron has entered.

This clafs, at prefent, is comparatively fmall — Yet foon to form an overwhelming majority, unlefs great and immediate efforts are ufed to leffen the intolerable grievances of our poorer brethren, and infufe into their forely wounded hearts the healing qualities of knowledge. For can we wonder that men ihould want humanity, who want all the circumflances of life that huma- nize ? Can we wonder that with the ignorance of Brutes they Ihould unite their ferocity ? peace and comfort be with thefe ! But let us fhudder to hear from Men of diffimilar opportunities fen- timents of iimilar revengefulnefs. The purifying

B 2 alchemy

18

alchemy of Education may tranfmute the fiercenefs of an ignorant man into virtuous energy — but what remedy ihall we apply to him, whom Plenty has not foftened, whom Knowledge has not taught Benevolence? This is one among the many fatal effects which refult from the want of fixed principles. Convinced that vice is error, we mall entertain fentiments of Pity for the vicious, not of Indignation — and even with refpect to that bad Man, to whom we have before alluded, altho' we are now groaning beneath the burthen of his mifconduct, we fhall harbour no fentiments of Revenge ; but rather condole with him that his chaotic Iniquities have exhibited fuch a compli- cation of extravagance, inconfiftency, and rafhnefs as may alarm him with apprehenfions of approach- ing lunacy !

There are a third clafs among the friends of Freedom, who poffefs not the wavering character of the firfl defcription, nor the ferocity lafl de- lineated. They purfae the interefts of Freedom fleadily, but with narrow and felf-centering views : they anticipate with exultation the abo- lition of privileged orders, and of Acts that perfecute by exclulion from the right of citizen-

ihip.

19

{hip. They are prepared to join in digging up the rubbifh of mouldering Eftabliihments, and ftripping off the tawdry pageantry of Govern- ments. Whatever is above them they are moft willing to drag down ; but every propofed alteration, that would elevate the ranks of our poorer brethren, they regard with fufpicious jealoufy, as the dreams of the vifionaryj as if there were any thing in the fuperiority of Lord to Gentleman, fo mortifying in the barrier, fo fatal to happinefs in the confequences, as the more real diflin&ion of mailer and fervant, of rich man and of poor. Wherein am I made worfe by my ennobled neighbour ? Do the child - ith titles of Ariftocracy detract from my domeflic comforts, or prevent my intellectual acquisitions ? But thofe infritulions of Society which mould condemn me to the neceffity of twelve hours daily toil, would make my foul a flave, and fink the rational being in the mere animal. Jtisa mock- ery of our fellow creatures' wrongs to call them equal in rights, when by the bitter compulfion of their wants we make them inferior to us in all that can foften the heart, or dignify the under- ftanding. Let us not fay that this is the work of time — that it is impracticable at preient, unlefs

we

20

we each in our individual capacities do flrenuoufly and perfeveringly endeavour to diffufe among our domeftics thofe comforts and that illumination which far beyond all political ordinances are the true equalizers of men.

We turn with pleafure to the contemplation of that fmall but glorious band, whom we may truly diltinguim by the name of thinking and difin- terefled Patriots. Thefe are the men who have encouraged the fympathetic paffions till they have become irreiiftible habits., and made their duty a necefTary part of their felf-intereft, by the long- continued cultivation of that moral tafte which derives our moft exquiiite pleafures from the contemplation of poflible perfection, and propor- tionate pain from the perception of exifting depravation. Accuftomed to regard all the affairs of man as a procefs, they never hurry and they never paufe. Theirs is not that twilight of poli- tical knowledge which gives us juft light enough to place one foot before the other ; as they advance the fcene ftill opens upon them, and they prefs right onward with a vaft, and various landfcape of exigence around them. Calmnefs and energy Kxuk all their actions. Convinced that vice

originates

21

originates not in the man, bat in the furroundincr circumftances ; not in the heart, but in the under- handing ;■ he is hopelefs concerning no one — to correct a vice or generate a virtuous condu6t he pollutes not his hands with the fcourge of coercion 5 but by endeavouring to alter the circumftances would remove, or by flrengthening the intellect, difarms, the temptation. The unhappy children of vice and folly, whofe tempers are adverfe to their own happinefs as well as to the happinefs cf others, will at times awaken a natural pang ; but he looks forward with gladdened heart to that glorious period when Juflice mall have eftablifhed the univerial fraternity of Love. Thefe foul- ennobling views beflow the virtues which they anticipate. He whofe mind is habitually imprest with them foars above the prefent ftate of hu- manity, and may be juftly faid to dwell in the prefence of the Mcft High.

,.C

-would the forms

Of fervile cufiom cramp the Patriot's power ? Would fordid policies, the barbarous growth Of ignorance and rapine, bow him down To tame purfuits, to Indolence and Fear ? Lo ! he appeals to Nature, to the winds And rolling waves, the fun's unwearied courfe, The elements and feafons — all declare

For

22

For what the Eternal Maker has ordain'd The powers of Man : we feel within ourfelves His energy divine : he tells the heart He meant, he made us to behold and love What he beholds and loves, 'the general orb Of Life and Being — to be great like him, Beneficent and active.

Akenside.

Such is Jofeph Gerald ! Withering in the fickly and tainted gales of a prifon, his healthful foul looks down from the citadel of his integrity on his impotent perfecutors. I faw him in the foul and naked room of a jail — his cheek was fallow with confinement — his body was emaciated ; yet his eye fpoke the invincible purpofes of his foul, and he frill founded with rapture the fnc- ceffes of Freemen, forgetful of his own lingering martyrdom ! Such too were the illuftrious Tri- umvirate * whom as a Greek Poet expreffes it, its not lawful for bad men even to praife. I will not fay that I have abufed your patience in thus indulging my feelings in ftrains of unheard gratitude to thofe who may feem to juftify God in the creation of man. It is with pleafure that I am permitted to recite a yet unpublifhed tribute

to

* Muir, Palmer, and Margakoi.

23

to their merit, the production of one who has facrificed all the energies of his heart and head, a fplendid offering on the altar of Liberty.

TO THE EXILED PATRIOTS.

Martyrs of Freedom — -ye who firmly good Stept forth the Champions in her glorious caufe,

Ye who againft Corruption nobly Hood For Juftice, Liberty, and equal Laws.

Ye who have urg'd the caufe of man fo well, Whilft proud Oppreffion's torrent fwept along,

Ye who fo firmly flood, fo nobly fell, Accept one ardent Briton's grateful fong.

For fhall Oppreffion vainly think by Fear To quench the fearlefs energy of mind?

And glorying in your fall, exult it here As tho' no honefl heart were left behind ?

Thinks the proud Tyrant by the pliant law The timid jury and the judge unjuft,

To ftrike the foul of Liberty with awe,.

And fcare the friends of freedom from their truft ?

As

24

As eafy might the Defpot's empty pride The onward courfe of ruining ocean flay j

As eafy might his jealous caution hide From mortal eyes the orb of general day.

For like that general orb's eternal flame

Glows the mild force of Virtue's conftant light j

Tho' clouded by Misfortune, fiill the fame, For ever conftant, and for ever bright.

Not till eternal chaos mall that light

Before Oppreflion's fury fade away ; Not till the fun himfelf be loft in night •

Not till the frame of Nature fhall decays

Go then fecure, in fteady virtue go, Nor heed the peril of the ftormy feas,

Nor heed the felon's name;, the outcaft's woe j Contempt and pain, and forrow and difeafe.

Tho' cankering cares corrode the finking frame, Tho' ficknefs rankle in the fallow brcaft ;

Tho' Death were quenching faft the vital flame^ Think but for what ye naffer, and be bleft.

So fhall your great examples fire each foul, So in each free-born breaft for ever dwell,

Till Man fhall rife above the unjuft controul, Stand where ye ftood, and triumph where ye fell.

Yes!

25

Yes ! there are thofe who have loved Freedom with wife ardor, and propagated its principles with unfhaken courage ! For it was ordained at the foundation of the world, that there fhould always remain Pure Ones and uncorrupt, who fhould fhine like Lights in Dafknefs, reconciling us to our own nature.

That general Illumination mould precede Revolution, is a truth as obvious, as that the VerTel fhould be cleanfed before we fill it with a pure Liquor. But the mode of dirfufing it is not difcoverable with equal facility. We certainly fhould never attempt to make Profelytes by appeals to the felfjli feelings — and confequently, mould plead for the OpprefTed, not to them. The Author of an effay on political Juftice con- siders private Societies as the fphere of real utility — that (each one illuminating thofe imme- diately beneath him,) Truth by a gradual defcent may at laft reach the loweft order. But this is rather plaufible than juft or practicable. Society as at prefent conftituted does not refemble a chain that afcends in a continuity of Links. — There are three ranks pofleifing an intercourfe with each other : thefe are well comprized in the fuper-

C 2 fcription

25

fcription of a Perfumer's advertifement, which I lately faw — " the Nobility, Gentry, and People ofDrefs." But alas! between the Parlour and the Kitchen, the Tap and the Coffee-Room — there is a gulph that may not be paffed. He would appear to me to have adopted the belt as well as the mofl benevolent mode of difrufing Truth, who uniting the zeal of the Methodift with the views of the Philofopher, mould be ferfonally among the Poor, and teach them their Duties in order that he may render them fufcep- tible of their Bights.

Yet by what means can the lower Clafles be made to learn their Duties, and urged to praclife them ? The human Race may perhaps poiTefs the capability of all excellence ; and Truth, I doubt not, is omnipotent to a mind already dis- ciplined for its reception ; but affuredly the over-worked Labourer, ikulking into an Ale-houfe, is not likely to exemplify the one, or prove the other. In that barbarous tumult of inimical Interefts, which the preient ftate of Society ex- hibits, Religion appears to offer the only means univerfally efficient. The perfe&nefs of future Men is indeed a benevolent tenet, and may

operate

27

operate on a few Vifionari.es, whofe fludious habits fupply them with employment, and feclude them from temptation. But a diftant profpect, which we are never to reach, will feldom quicken our footfteps, however lovely it may appear j and a Bleffing, which not ourfelves but ^ojlerity are deftined to enjoy, will fcarcely influence the actions of any — frill lefs of the ignorant, the pre- judiced, and the felfifh.

" Go, preach the Gospel to the Poor." Bv

its Simplicity it will meet their comprehension,

by its Benevolence foften their affections, by its

Precepts it will direct their conduct, by the vaft-

nefs of its Motives enfure their obedience. The

fituation of the Poor is perilous : they are indeed

both

" from within and from without Unarm'd to all Temptations."

Prudential reafonings will in general be powerlefs with them. For the incitements of this world are weak in proportion as we are wretched —

The World is not my Friend, nor the World's Law. The World has got no Law to make me rich.

They too, who live from Hand to Muzit/i, will moil frequently become improvident. PoiTeffing no

Jlock

28

Jvock of happinefs they eagerly feize the gratifi- cations of the moment, and match the froth from the wave as it paries by them. Nor is the defolate ftate of their families a retraining motive, unfoft- ened as they are by education, and benumbed into felfiftinefs by the torpedo touch of extreme Want. Domeftic affections depend on affociation. We love an object if, as often as we fee or recollect it, an agreeable fenfation arifes in our minds. But alas ! how mould he glow with the charities of Father and Hulband, who gaining fcarcely more, than his own neceffities demand, muft have been accuftomed to regard his wife and children, not as the Soothers of fmifhed labour, but as Rivals for the insufficient meal ! In a man fo circumftanced the Tyranny of the Prefent can be overpowered only by the tenfold mightinefs of the Future. Religion will cheer his gloom with her promifes, and by habituating his mind to antici- pate an infinitely great Revolution hereafter, may prepare it even for the fudden reception of a lefs degree of amelioration in this World.

But if we hope to inftru6t others, we mould familiarize our own minds to fome fixed and determinate principles of action. The World is

29

a vaft labyrinth, in which almoft every one is running a different way, and almofi every one manifefting hatred to thofe who do not run the fame way. A few indeed ftand motionlefs, and not feeking to lead themfelves or others out of the maze laugh at the failures of their brethren. Yet with little reafon : for more grofsly than the moft bewildered wanderer does he err, who never aims to go right. It is more honourable to the Head, as well as to the Heart, to be milled by our eager- nefs in the purfuit of Truth, than to be fafe from blundering by contempt of it, The happinefs of Mankind is the end of Virtue, and Truth is the Knowledge of the means, which he will never feriouily attempt to difcover, who has not habitually intererted himfelf in the welfare of others. The fearcher after Truth mufl love and be beloved ; for general Benevolence is a neceffary motive to conftancy of purfuit} and this general Benevolence is begotten and rendered permanent by focial and domeitic affections. Let us beware of that proud Philofophy, which affects to inculcate Philanthropy while it denounces every home-born feeling, by which it is produced and nurtured. The paternal and filial duties difci- pline the Heart and prepare it for the love of all

Mankind ,

30

Mankind. The intenfity of private attachments encourages, not prevents, univerfal Benevolence. The nearer we approach to the Sun, the more intenfe his heat : yet what corner of the fyftem does he not cheer and vivify ?

The Man who would find Truth, muft likewife feek it with an humble and fimple Heart, other- wife he will be precipitant and overlook it j or he will be prejudiced, and refufe to fee it. To eman- cipate hf elf from the Tyranny of A/Jbciation, is the molt arduous effort of the mind, particularly in Religious and Political difquifitions. The alferters of the fyftem has arfociated with it the preserva- tion of Order, and public Virtue ; the oppugner Impofmre, and Wars, and Rapine. Hence, when they difpute, each trembles at the confe- rences of the other's opinions inftead of attending to his train of arguments. Of this however we

w-

may be certain, whether we be Chriflians or In- fidels, Ariftocrats or Republicans, that our minds are in a ftate unfufceptible of Knowledge, when we feel an eagernefs to deteef the Falfehood of an Adverfary's reafonings, not a fincere with to difcover if there be Truth in them ; — when we examine an argument in order that we may anfwer it, inftead of anfwering becaufe we have examined it.

31

Our opponents are chiefly fuccefsful in con- fating the Theory of Freedom by the practices of its Advocates; from our lives they draw the moil forcible arguments againft our doctrines. Nor have they adopted an unfair mode of reafoning. In a Science the evidence fuffers neither dimi- nution or increafe from the actions of its proferTors -, but the comparative wifdom of political fyftems depends neceffarily off the manners and capacities of the recipients. Why mould all things be thrown into confufion to acquire that liberty which a faction of fenfualifls and gamblers will neither be able or willing to preferve ? " The fimplicity of wants and of pleafures may be taken as th^ criterion, of Patriotifm. Woulol you prove to me your Patriotifm ? Let me penetrate into the inte- rior of your Houfe. What ! I fee your anticham- ber full of infolent Lackies ; they give you (till fhofe vain Titles, which Liberty treads under foot, and you- fuffer it and you call yourfelf a Patriot ! I penetrate a little further ; — your Cielings are gilded — magnificent Vafes adorn your Chimney- Pieces — I walk upon the richeft Carpets — the moft coftly Wines, the moit exquilite Difhes, cover your Table — a crowd of Servants furround it — ycu treat them with haughtinefs ; — No ! you are not

D

32

a Patriot. The moft confummate pride reigns in your heart, the pride of Birth, of Riches, and of Talents. With this triple pride, a man never fincerely believes the do&rine of Equality : he may repeat its dogmas, but efficient Faith is not in him." Preface to Briffbis Travels in America.

You reply to'Briffot, that thefe luxuries are the employment of induftry, and the bell means of circulating your property. Be it fof Renounce then the proud pretenfions of democracy 5 do not profefs Tenets which it is impoffible for you furrounded by all the fymbols of fuperiority to wim realized. But you plead, it feems, for equalization of Rights, not of Condition. O mockery ! All that can delight the poor man's fenfes or ftrengthen his understanding, you preclude; yet with gene- rous condefcenfion you would bid him exclaim " Liberty and EauALiTY !" becaufe, forfooth, he mould poffefs the fame Bight to an Hovel which you claim to a Palace. This the Laws have already given. And what more do you promife ?

A fyftem of fundamental Reform will fcarcely be effected by maflacres mechanized into Revo- lution. Yet rejected intreaty leads in its confe- quences to fierce coercion. And much as we

deprecate

33

deprecate the event, we have reafon to conjecture that throughout all Europe it may not be far diftant. The folly of the rulers of mankind grows daily more wild and ruinous : Oppreffion is griev- ous— the opprefled feel and are reftlefs. Such things may happen. We cannot therefore inculcate on the minds of each other too often or with too great earneflnefs the necefiity of cultivating bene-. volent affections. We mould be cautious how we indulge the feelings even of virtuous indignation. Indignation is the handfome brother of Anger and Hatred. The Temple of Defpotifm, like that of Tefcalipoca, the Mexican Deity, is built of human fkulls, and cemented with human blood 5 — let us beware that we be not tranfported into revenge while we are levelling the loathfome Pile 5 left when we erect the edifice of Freedom we but vary the ftile of Architecture, not change the materials. Let us not wantonly offend even the prejudices of our weaker brethren, nor by ill- timed and vehement declarations of opinion excite in them malignant feelings towards us. The energies of mind are wafted in thefe intemperate efFufions. Thofe materials of projectile force, which now carelefsly fcattered explode with an offensive and ufelefs noife, directed by wifdom and

D 2 union

34

union might heave Rocks from their bafe,-— or perhaps (difmifling the metaphor) might produce the defired effect without the convulfion.

For this " fubdued fobriety" of temper a practi- cal faith in the do6trine of philofophical neceflity feems the only preparative. That vice is the effeft of error and the offspring of furrounding circum- ftances, the obje£t therefore of condolence not of anger, is a propofition eafily underftood, and as eafily demonftrated. But to make it fpread from the understanding to the affections, to call it into a&ion, not only in the great exertions of Patrio- tifm, but in the daily and hourly occurrences of focial life, requires the raoft watchful attentions of the raoft energetic mind. It is not enough that we have once fwallowed thefe Truths — we mull: feed on them, as infects on a leaf, till the whole heart be coloured by their qualities, and fhew its food in every the minuteft fibre.

Finally, in the Words of an Apoflle,

Watch ye ! Stand faft in the principles of which ye have been convinced ! Quit yourfelves like Men ! Be ftrong ! Yet let all things be done 'in the fpirit of Love.

February, 17Q5.

#n tfje present Wat,

Bellum infandum ominibnfque negatam

Movifti, fun eft e, aciem —

• te feries orbarum excifa domorum

Planctibus affiduis^ te diro horrore volantes

Mille et mille animse circum no6tefque diefque

Adiilient.

Te merito : all horum miferet, quos fanguine viles

Conjugibus natifque infanda ad prselia raptos

Projicis excidio, bone *** ! — Stat. Theb.

Lib. 2.

ON THE

PRESENT WAR.

[*N the difclofal of Opinion, it is our duty to confider the character of thofe, to whom we addrefs ourfelves, their fituations, and probable degree of knowledge. We mould be bold in the avowal of political Truth among thofe only whofe minds are fufceptible of reafoning : and never to the multitude, who ignorant and needy muft neceffarily aft from the impulfe of inflamed Paflions. But however carefully the Advocate of Freedom may preferve this diftin&ion, the Child of Prejudice and the Slave of Corruption will induftrioufly reprefent it as confounded : what- ever may be the fentiments and language of the prefent Addrefs, the attempt to promote Dif- cuffion will be regarded as dangerous, and from

fools

38

fools and from bigots I mall be honoured with much complimentary Reviling, and many pane- gyrical Abufes. But the Conduct of the fpeaker is determined chiefly by the nature of his Audience. He therefore, who mall proclaim me fedittous becaufe J fpeak " againft wickednefs in high places," rauft prove the majority of my hearers to be unenlightened, and therefore eafily deluded — or Men of defperate fortunes, and therefore eager for the Scramble of a Revolution.

In private life well-informed Men are generally found the moil quiet and friendly Neighbours j but in the Dictionary of ariftocratic Prejudice, Illumination and Sedition are claffed as fynonimes, and Ignorance prefcribed as the only infallible Preventive for Contention. It has been my lot to have had many fierce Aristocrats obtruded on my notice. Their modes of Education and the peculiar direction of their immediate Interefts have in general acted upon them with fuch blended Intereft, that it was difficult or impoillble either to impeach their Sincerity or praife their Honeity. Sufceptibility of Truth depends on the temper of our Hearts more than even on the ftrength of our Uuderilandings. The mind is

predifpofed

30

predifpofed by its fituations : and when the pre- judices of a man are ftrong, the moft over-powering Evidence becomes weak. He " meets with dark- nefs in the day-time, and gropes in the noon-day as in night." Some unmeaning Term generally becomes the Watch-word, and acquires almoft a mechanical power over his frame. The indiftinct- nefs of the Ideas aiTociaf ed with it increafes its effect, as " objects look gigantic thro' a mift." The favorite phrafes of the prefent Day are — " It may be very well in Theory" — and the " effects of Jacobine Principles." Aided by the one and alarmed by the other, the fhuddering Bigot flings the door of Argument in your face^ and excludes all Parley by gloomy anticipation of the confe- quences. There are however of this Clafs, who boldly provoke Difcuffion, but finding themfelves unable to keep the field, are enraged where they fhould have been convinced, and probably inform againft their Opponent. High-fpirited Difputants ! they firft challenge you to box with them, and then call in the Conftable. In all public meetings thefe Men fignalize themfelves. Argument they anfwer by inarticulate Noifes, and their zeal for the Constitution they manifeil: by breaking the Peace. Certain to make a riot in their great ardor

E to

40

to prevent one, and prepared to perfecute what they are determined not to hear, they wilfully blind themfelves to Truth, and like angry Cowards fhut their Eyes as they flrike the Blow.

But how can Truth or Virtue guide the Head Where Love of Freedom from the Heart is fled ? Can lefler Wheels repeat their native Stroke When the prime fun&ion of the Soul is broke ?

Regardlefs of thefe Men I fhall endeavor to prelerve * the Unity of Truth in the Bond of Peace."

Yet deem not that thefe difquiiitions are plea- fant to me. He, who wanders in the maze of Political Enquiry, muft tread over Corfes, and at every tfep detect fome dark Con- fpirator againft human happinefs, or flartle at the fierce vifage of fome imperial Murderer. Every ungentle feeling wri!l be excited in his bofom, and now he will fhiver with horror, and now glow with indignation, and now ficken with contempt. I delight not to paint Wickednefs or Mifery and if I followed Impulfe rather than Duty fhould abandon myfelf to thofe Purfuits

That heighten to the youthful Poet's Eye The Bloom of Nature, and before him place The gayeft happieft Attitude of Things.

41

Bat my reafon confirms the regulation of the Athenian Lawgiver, which ordained, that it ; fhould be infamous for a Man, who had reached the years of difcretion, not to have formed an opinion concerning the ftate of affairs in his coun- try, and treafonable, having formed one, not to propagate it by every legal mean in his power. This Duty we mould exert at all times, but with peculiar ardor in feafons of public Calamity, when there esifts an Evil of fuch incalculable magnitude as the present War. Of its peculiar crimes and diftreffes we ihall endeavor to give a comprehen- sive view, that each of us may proportion his energies to the vaflnefs of the general evil, not to the weight of his individual grievances. But its total Caufeleffnefs muft be proved : — as if the War had been juft and neceflary, it might be thought difputable whether any Calamities could juftify our abandonment of it. On a fubject fo nniverfally difcuffed it would be a vain endeavour to adduce any new argument. The War might probably have been prevented by Negociation : Negociation was never attempted. It cannot therefore be proved to have been a mcejfary war, and confequently it is not a juft one.

E2 It

42

It has been repeatedly faid, that we could not honorably negociate with men fo ftained with atrocious guilt, fo avowedly the enemies of Reli- gion, as the popular Leaders in France. Admire, I pray you, the cautious Delicacy of our Govern- ment! thaf will profefs itfelf the Ally of the Immaculate only — of the merciful Catharine, the honest King of Pruma, and that moft chris- tian Arch-pirate, the Dey of Algiers ! It is a more plaufible objection, that the French poffefs no fixed Government -, but this the War itfelf has difproved. The Girondifts began it, the Jacobins carried it on, and the Moderate Party are now profecuting it with increafed vigor : — a fact, which while it mews the ficklenefs of their domeflic Politics, demonftrates the uniformity of their meafures with regard to foreign Nations.— But the ground of argument has been lately changed, and the dangerous Tendency of French Politics amgned as a fufficient reafon for continuing the Conteft. It has been aflerted, that internal dif- turbances are the evil to be prevented, even by external diftreffes — a tenet which depraves the fufpicious heart which adopts it, and realizes the event which it affects to prophecy. It was a favorite opinion with the unfortunate Charles,

that

43

that it was more honorable for a King to have his realm almoft destroyed, and its very exiftence endangered by an Enemy, than to hazard the diminution of his prerogatives among his own Subjects. But the abfurdity as well as iniquity of thus opposing the diffufion of popular principles by a foreign war, I mall not prefs on your recol- lection. If the People ever wim for a Revolution, this pronenefs to change rauft originate in the fenfe of their wants and grievances : and it rauft be a notable Remedy which cures the Difeafe by doubling the Caufes of it. O the wonderful Wifdom of Miniflers, who would conjure reftlefs- nefs into content by adding famine to poverty, and calamities abroad to oppreflions at home !

. French Principles are widely different from thofe of the Britifh Conilitution : French Exceffes are difgraceful to Humanity : it is therefore impoffible to treat with the French. But might not the Ame- rican States refufe to negociate with us on the fame foundation? The principles induftrioufly pro- pagated by the friends of cur Government are oppofite to the American Conftiution — and indeed to Liberty every where ; and in order to form a jufl eftimate of our exceffes, let us recollect that prominent feature of the late War — Scalping J

44

What the wifdom of Agur wifhed, the inhabi- tants of Wyoming enjoyed — they had neither Riches or Poverty : their climate was foft and falubrious, and their fertile foil afked of thefe blifs- ful Settlers as much labor only for their fuftenance, as would have been otherwife convenient for their health. The Fiend, whofe crime was Ambition, leapt over into this Paradife — Hell-hounds laid it wafte. Englijli Generals invited the Indians " to banquet on blood :" the favage Indians head- ed by an Englifhman attacked it. Univerfal maifacre enfued. The Houfes were deftroyed : the Corn Fields burnt : and where under the broad Maple trees innocent Children ufed to play at noontide, there the Drinkers of human Blood, and the Feafters on human Flefh were feen in tjorrid circles, counting their fcalps and antici- pating their gains. The Englifh Court bought Scalps at a fixed price ! Scalping this pious Court deemed a fit punifhment for the crimes of thofe, whofe only crime was, that being Men, and the defcendants of Britons, they had refufed to be Slaves. Unconditional Submiffion was the only Terms offered to the Americans — and Death the immediate Menace. Our Brethren, (if indeed we may prefume to call fo exalted a race our

Brethren,)

45

Brethren,) indignantly rejected the terms, and refolved to hazard the execution of the menace. For this the Horrors of European Warfare afforded not a fufficient Puniiliment. Inventive in cruelty and undiftinguiihing in maffacre, Savages muft he hired againft them : human Tygers muft be called from their woods, their attacks regulated by Difcipline, and their Ferocity increafed by Intoxi- cation. But did not this employment of mercilefs Scalpers roufe the indignation of Britons ? Did not they avert public Ignominy by public Ven- geance ? The Hand, that fubfcribed thefe helliih orders, mould have been withered 5 the Voice, that propofed them, mould have been echoed only by the arches of a Dungeon ! Alas ! the Nation flept — and the Sleep of Nations is followed by their Slavery. But perhaps this foul Iniquity was preferved among the fecrets of the Cabinet ? — No ! the fact was publicly known : the Sun of Enquiry fhone full and fierce upon it, and the Blood of the Innocent was (learning up to Heaven ! Yet during the whole war the Savages were regu- larly employed — and the Miniftry, who authorized it, were not even removed. Such were our hideous exceffes during that holy Rebellion : — yet who among the Americans coniidered them as

precluding

46

precluding a treaty of Peace ? Nor has their averlion from War been lefs exemplary lince the Revolution. Lord Dorchefter had roufed the War-whoop among the Savages : infttgated by his Agents the mercilefs Tribes poured in on the back fettlernents 3 and the Algerines were incited againft their Commerce. The conduct of the Englifh was every where infolent, and through all the Union deterred. The lower clafles of the People cried aloud for War. But the Legiilature well knew, that the evils even of a juji war were not to be calculated, and that no war could be juft, unlefs it had been preceded by Jincere nego- eiations for the permanence of Peace. They knew the Englifh Nation to be practical Atheifb, profe fling to believe a God, yet acting as if there were none. In Europe the fmoaking Villages of Flanders, and the putrified Fields of La Vendee — - from Africa the unnumbered Victims of a detefta- ble Slave-trade — in Afia the defolated plains of Indoftan and the Million whom a rice-contracting Governor caufed to perilh — in America the recent enormities of their Scalp-Merchants — the four Quarters of the Globe groan beneath the intolera- ble iniquity of this nation ! Yet thefe high-minded Republicans did not refufe to negociale with us.

They

o

47

They tbought it criminal folly to make themfelves miferable becaufe their Enemies were wicked. — But a lying Spirit hath defcended upon us, " which hath made the heart of this People fat and fhut their eyes"— -and " therefore Hell hath enlarged itfelf and opened her mouth without meafure."

*We will now take, a rapid furvey of the con-

fequences of this unjuft becaufe unnecelfary War.

I mean not to defcribe the diftrefsful ftagnation

of Trade and Commerce : I direct not your

attention to the wretches that fadden every ftreet

in this City, the pale and meagre Troop, who in

the bitternefs of reluctant Pride, are forced to beg

the Morfel, for which, they would be willing to

i( work their fingers to the bone" in honeft In-

duftry : I will not frighten you by relating the

diftreifes of that brave Army, which has been

melted away on the Continent, nor picture to

your imaginations the Icathfome peitilence that

has mocked our Victories in the Weft-Indies :

I bid you not hear the fcreams of the deluded

Citizens of Toulon — I will not prefs on your

recollection the awful Truth, that in the courfe of

this calamitous Conteft more than a Million of

J? men

48

men have perimed — a * Million of men, of each one of whom the mangled corfe terrifies the dreams of her that loved him, and makes fome mother, fome lifter, forae widow ftart from ilum- l)er with a fhriek ! Thefe arguments have been urged even to fatiety — a Eritiih Senator has fneeringly ftyled them mere common -place againft wars. I could weep for the criminal Patience of Humanity ! Thefe arguments are haclmied; yet Wars continue !

Horrors, the fame in kind though perhaps not equal in degree, neceffarily attend all wars : it was my intention to detail thofe only that are peculiar to the prefent. And firfl and leaii — the lofs of our National Character. At the com- mencement of the War the Government folemnly difclaimed all intervention in the internal affairs of France : not fix months pafled, ere with matchlefs infincerity the Reftitution of Monarchy became its avowed aim. This guilt however may perhaps reft on its firfl: authors, and fly unclaimed by

the

4 t

* By the internal difturbance& of France in La Vendee and other places, diflurbances excited by Englifh agents, and rendered obftinate by our Miniliers' promifes, more than Three Hundred Thoufand have been butchered.

I 49

the People, unlefs it fhould be thought, that they, who permit, perpetrate. The depravation of private morals is a more ferious and lefs tranfient: evil. All our happinefs and the greater part of our virtues depend on focial confidence. This beautiful fabric of Love the fyflem of Spies and Informers has fhaken to the very foundation. There have been multiplied among us " Men who carry tales to fhed blood !" Men who refemble the familiar Spirits defcribed by Ifaiah, as " dark ones, that peep and that mutter!". Men, who may feem to have been typically fhadowed out in the Frogs that formed the fecond plague of Egypt : little low animals with chilly blood and flaring eyes, that " come up into our houfes and our bed- chambers !" Thefe men are plenteouily fcattered among us : our very looks are decyphered into difafFeclion, and we cannot move without treading: on fome political fpring-gun. Nor here has the evil flopped. We have breathed fo long the at- mofphere of Impoflureand Panic, that many honeft minds have caught an aguifh diforder ; in their cold fits they fhiver at Freedom, in their hot fits they turn favage againfl its advocates ; and facrifice to party Rage what they would have fcornfully refufed to Corruption. Traitors to friendfhip,

F2 that

50

that they may be faithful to the Con filiation — Enemies of human nature, that they may prove themfelves the Adorers of the God of Peace — they hide from themfelves the fenfe of their crime by the merit of their motive. Thus every man begins to fufpect his neighbour, the warm ebullience of our hearts is flagnating : and I dread, left by long flifling the expreftions of Patriotifm, we may at laft lofe the Feeling. " Society is in every ftate a bleffing ; Government even in its beft ftate but a neceftary evil." We are mbverting this Blefiing in order to fupport this Evil — or rather to fupport the defperate Quacks who are adminiftering it with a Life-or-Death Temerity.

This caufelefs Panic prepared us to endure the further fufpeniion of the Habeas Corpus Act — endure it$ after three fucceflive Verdicts of impar- tial Juries had proved, that a Confpiracy againft the Conftitution had exifted only in the foul imagination of the Accufers. ". In the firft of theie Trials, (Mr. Sheridan obferves,) one Pike was produced, which was afterwards withdrawn from mere lhame — a formidable Inftrument was talked of, to be employed againft the Cavalry : — it appeared upon evidence to be no other than

a

51

a Te tohim in a window at Sheffield. Thefe defperate Confpirators, it appeared, had formed their incampment in a back-garret — their arfenal was provided with Nine rutty muikets — and the formidable preparation which was to overturn the Conftitution was fupported by an exchequer containing nine pounds and one bad thilling — all to be directed againft the armed Force and

eftabliihed Government of Great- Britain !

Fellow Citizens ! our laughter may be railed by the caufe, but our indignation and forrow rauft be excited by the confequences. Not one definite reafon affigned, not one fa<5t proved, we have been impelled by dark and terrifying Generalities to lacririce the perfonal Security of ourfelves and perhaps of our pofterity. The auguft and lofty Tree, which while it rofe above the palace of the Monarch, theltered the diftant dwelling of the Cottager, ilripped of its boughs, now ftands the melancholy memorial of conquered Freedom. — We can only water its roots with our tears, or look forward with anxious eye to the diftant Springtide, when it mall branch forth anew ! — We are no longer Freemen, and if we be more fecure here than in Morocco or at Constantinople, we owe this fuperiority to the mildnefs of our Mailers, not

to

52

to the protection of our Laws. It is an infult to tell us that we cannot fuffer Death at the pleafure of' a Miniften as is the cafe under arbitrary Governments^ — Suffer death ! we can be torn from the bleeding*- breaft of domettic affection — we can be thrown into foul and damp dungeons — we can hear of the death of a dearly loved Wife, heart- broken by our Imprifonment — till overpowered by difeafe and wounded fenfibilities we fink into the Grave ; or if we live, live only to wifh in bitter- nefs of Soul, that th' " Almighty had not placed his Canon 'gainft Self-murder." And what if the Habeas Corpus a6l be reflored? — O degenerate People, and bloated with the emptinefs of recol- lected Liberty ! Sylla may refign the Di&ator- fhip — but alas ! he will have given a tempting proof to CjEsar, how much ye can endure.

Who is this Minifter, to whom we have thus implicitly trufted every bleffing ? Are his Qualities commenfurate with the giant evils, which he has occafioned ? My mind may be jaundiced by my abhorrence of the man's actions — but whether Truth or Prejudice be the fource of my failure I muft acknowledge that having investigated atten- tively the Speeches and Meafures of William Pitt,

I

53

I -am as little able to difcover Genius in the one, as Virtue in the other. I think of Edmund Burke's declamatory Inve&ives with emotion j yet while I fhudder at the excefies, I muft admire the ftrength, of this Hercules Furens of Oratory. But our Premiers' Harangues ! — My fiery conceal- ing Meannefs, as fleam-clouds invelope a dunghill. To roufe the fears of the "Wealthy, and the preju- dices of the Ignorant is an eafy talk for one, who poffefles the privilege of manufacturing Royal Eloquence and (ticking up Royal Hand-bills. But what Queftion propofed to him by his great political Adverfary has he ever directly anfwered ? His fpeeches, which feemed fo fwoln with mean- ing, alas ! what did they mean ? In the outfet of his political career he did indeed utter fome fentences which a man and a citizen might ac- knowledge — and that his prefent conduct might not lofe the advantages of contrail, he ably fupported Mr. Fox's Motion to facilitate a Peace with America. " The War (he faid) ivas conceived in injujiice and nurtured in folly : it ivas pregnant 'with every kind of mifchief and ivith every thing that conjiituted moral depravity and human turpitude. While in black revenge it meditated the dejlrudion of others, the mif chief recoiled upon the unhappy and

deluded

54

deluded people of this Country." William Pitt ob- ferved that, u by this iniquitous and unjuji War the Nation ivas drained of its vital refources of Men and Money." William Pitt exclaimed that " our cxpences ivere cnor?nous, ivhile our victories ivere indecifive, and our defeats fatal — victories celebrated with fliort-lived triumph over men firug%lin% in the holy cauje of Freedom, and defeats ivhich filled the Land ivith ?nournin?" All this— O calumniated Judas Ifcariot ! all this William Pitt fa id'!

In oppoimg the addrefs to his Majefty on the

fpeech delivered from the Throne after the capture

of Lord Cornwallis, William Pitt obferved, that

" in the better days of Parliament the attempt to

entrap the Houfe into a countenance of ajfertions

wholly, unexplained and unexamined, on the mere

authority of a Minifies, tvould have been treated ivith

the i?idignaiion and fever i/y it deferved." — "The.

fad ivas (he faid) that the War ivas an appendage

to the fiifi Lord of the Treafary, too dear to be

parted ivith : it ivas the grand pillar raifed on the

ruins of the Confiitzitioji, by ivhich he held his fitua-

ttonf This man, William Pitt, did not then

know that he mould be a Minifter compared with

whom Lord. North might be canonized : and that

with

55

with unheard of artifices and oppreflions that may not be named, he mould carry on a caufelefs "War againfta Patriot people, more fertile in horrors even than the American. The penetration of the great and good Dr. Jebb forefaw his Apoftacy — and he is faid to have been greatly agitated. " Elifha fettled his countenance fiedfaftly on Hazael, and the Man of God wept. And Hazael faid, Why weepeth my Lord ? And he anfwered, becaufe I know the evil that thou wilt do ! flxong holds wilt thon fet on fire ! and the young men wilt thou flay with the fword ! and becaufe of thee the Widow and the Orphan fhall cry for bread. And Hazael faid — But what, is thy Servant a dog, that he mould do thefe things ? Elifha anfwered, The Lord hath fhewed me, that thoujliah be ruler ever Syria."

If they, who mingled the cup of bitternefs, drank its contents, we might look with a calm companion on the wickednefs of great Men. But alas ! the ftorm which they raife, falls heavier! on the unprotected Iunocent : and the Cottage of the poor Man is {tripped of every Comfort, before the Oppreffors, who fend forth the mandate of Death, are amerced in one Luxury or one Vice. If a feries

G of

56

of calamities fucceed each, they deprecate the anger of Heaven by a Fast ! — A word that implies, Prayers of Hate to the God of Love — and after thefe, a Turbot Feaft for the rich, and their ufual fcanty Morfel to the poor, if indeed debarred from their ufual labor they can procure even this. But if Victory be the event,

They o'er the ravag'd Earth, As at an Altar wet with human Blood And flaming with the Fires of Cities burnt, Sing their mad Hymns of Triumph, Hymns to God O'er the deftruclion of his gracious Works, Hymns to the Father o'er his flaughter'd Sons !

It is recorded in the ihuddering hearts of Chrii- tians, that while Europe is reeking with Blood, and fmoaking with unextinguished Fires, in a conteft of unexampled crimes and unexampled calamities, every Bifhop but one voted for the continuance of the War. They deemed the fate of their Religion to be involved in the conteft ! — Not the Religion of Peace, my Brethren, not the Religion of the meek and lowly Jefus, which for- bids to his Difciples all alliance with the powers of this World — but the Religion of Mitres and Myfteries, the Religion of Pluralities and Per- fection,

57

fecution, the Eighteen -Thoufand-Pound-a-Year"

Religion % of Epifcopacy. Inftead of the Minifters

of the Gofpel, a Roman might recognize in thefe

Dignitaries the High-priefls of Mars — with this

difference, that the Ancients fatted their Victims

for the Altar, we prepare ours for facrifice by

leannefs. War ruins our Manufactures j the

ruin of our Manufactures throws Thoufands out

of employ ; men cannot ftarve : they muft either

pick

i Wherever Mens' temporal interefls depend on the general belief of difputed tenets, we muft expeft to find hypocrily and a perfecuting Spirit, a jealoufy of invefti- gation, and an endeavor to hold the minds of the people in fubmiflive Ignorance. That pattern of Chriflian meek- nefs, Biihop Horfley, has declared it to be the vice of the age and government that it has differed a free and general inveftigation of the moil folemn Truths that regard Soci- ety— and there is a remark in the laft charge of the difinterefted Bifhop Prettyman, that the fame bufy fpint which inclines men to be Unitarians in Religion, drive them into Republicanifm in Politics. And truly, the moft exalted Forms of Society are cemented and pre- served by the pureft Notions of Religion. But whatever 1 may deem of the juftice of their Lordfhip's obfervations, the prudence and policy of them have gained my imme- diate aflent. Alas ! what room would there be for Bilhops or for Priefts in a Religion where Deity is the only obje£l of Reverence, and our Immortality the only article of Faith— Immortality made probable to us by the Light of Nature, and proved to us by the Refurreftion of Jefus. Him the High Priefts crucified ; but he has left us a Religion, which Ihall prove fatal to every High Priest — a Religion, 01 which every true

G 2 Chriflian

58

pick their countrymen's Pockets — or cot the throats of their fellow-creatures, becaufe they are Jaco- bins. If they chufe the latter, the chances are that their own lives are facrificed : if the former, they are hung or tranfported to Botany Bay. And here we cannot but admire the deep and comprehenfive Views of Minifters, who having ftarved the wretch

into

Chriftian is the Priefl, his own Heart the Altar, the Univerle its Temple, and Errors and Vices its only Sacrifices. Ride on, mighty Jems ! becaufe of thy •words of Truth, of Love, and Equality ! The age of Priefthood will foon he no more — that of Philo- sophers and of Chnftians will fucceed, and the torch of Superftition be extinguifhed for ever. Never, never more (hall we behold that generous Loyalty to rank, which is prodigal of its own virtue and its own happinels to inveft a few with unholy Splendors ; — that fubordina- tion of the Heart, which keeps alive the fpirit of Servitude amid the empty forms of boafted Liberty ! This dear-bought Grace of Cathedrals, this coftly defence of Defpotifm, this nurfe of grovelling fentiment and

cold-hearted Lip-worfhip, will be gone it will be

gone, that fenfibility to Intereft, that jealous tenacity of Honors, which fufpe£te in every argument a mortal wound ; which infpires Oppreffion, while it prompts Servility; — which ftains indelibly whatever it touches; and under which fupple Dullnefs lofes half its fhame by wearing a Mitre where reafon would have placed a Fool's-Cap ! The age of Priefthood will be no more- Peace to its departing fpirit ! With delighted ears fhould I liften to fome fierce Orator from St. Omers' or from Bedlam, who fhould weep over its Pageantries rent and faded, and pour forth eloquent Nonfenfe in a funeral Oration.

5Q

into Vice fend him to the barren fhores of new Holland to be ftarved back again into Virtue. It mult furely charm the eye of humanity to behold Men reclaimed from dealing by being baniihed to a Co3ft, where there is nothing to Ileal, and helplefs Women, who had been

Bold from defpalr and proftitute for Bread, find motives to Reformation in the fources of their Depravity, refined by Ignorance, and famine-bit- ten into Chaftity. Yet even thefe poor unfortu- nates, thefe difinherited ones of Happinefs, appear to me more eligibly fituated than the wretched Soldier — becaufe more innocently ! Father of Mer- cies! if we pluck a wing from the back of a Fly, not all the Minifters and Monarchs in Europe can reftore it — yet they dare to fend forth their man- dates for the Death of Thoufands, and if they fnc- ceed call the Maffacre Victory. They with all that majeftic ferenity, which the fenfe of perfonal fafety fails not to infpire, can " Ride in the whirl- wind and direct the ftorm," or rather like the .gloomy Spirits in Opian, u fit on their diftant clouds and enjoy the Death of the Mariner.''

In former wars the victims of Ambition had crowded to the itasdard from the influence of na- tional

Go

tional Antipathies; but this powerful ftimulant has been fo unceaiingly applied, as to have well nigh produced an exhauftion. What remains ? Hunger. Over a recruiting place in this city I have feen pieces of Beef hung up to attract the half-famifhed Mechanic. It has been faid, that Government, though not the beft preceptor of Virtue, procures us fecurity from the attack of the lower Orders. — Alas ! why mould the lower Orders attack us, but becaufe they are brutalized by Ignorance and rendered defperate by Want ? And does Government remove this Ignorance by Education ? And does not Government increafe their want by Taxes ? — Taxes rendered neceflary by thofe national afFaffinations called Wars, and by that worft Corruption and Perjury, which a reverend Moralift has j unified under the foft title of" fecret Influence !" The poor Infant born in an Englifh or Irifh Hovel breathes indeed the air and partakes of the light of Heaven ; but of its other Bounties he is difmherited. The powers of Intellect are given him in vain : to make him work like a brute Beaft he is kept as ignorant as a brute Beafr. It is not poffible that this defpifed and opprefTed Man mould behold the rich and idle without malignant envy. And if in the bitter

cravings

Ol

cravings of Hunger the dark Tide of Paffions mould fwell, and the poor "Wretch rufh from defpair into guilt, then the Government indeed afTumes the right of Puniihment though it had neglected the duty of Inftruclion, and hangs the victim for crimes, to which its own wide-wafting follies and its own mofl. finful omiffions had fup- plied the caufe and the temptation. And yet how often have the fierce Bigots of Defpotifm told me, that the Poor are not to be pitied, however great their necefli ties : for if they be out of employ, the King wants men ! — They may be fhipped off to the Slaughter-houfe abroad, if they wifh to efcape a Prifon at home ! — Fools ! to commit Robberies, and get hung, when they might Murder with impunity — yea, and have Sixpence a day into the ' bargain !

o*

Bounties in truth are offered — great and unex- ampled Bounties — tho' not always as faithfully paid as magnificently promifed. The price of Man-flem offered to the Britifh Private has almoft reached the fum paid to the German Princes — " Death's prime Slave- merchants." And here we may properly defcribe the method of raifing and packing up the human Commodities in the German

market.

02

market. Schiller, a German himfelf, (beneath the

tremendous fublimity of whofe genius we have

glowed and fhuddered, while we perufed the

" Robbers/') in his tragedy of." Cabal and Love/'

reprefents a German Prince as having fent a caiket

of jewels to his concubine. On her enquiring

what might be the price of the jewels, the is told,

they were bought with the money which the

Prince had received from the Englifh Government,

for feven thoufand young Men fent to America.

" All by compulfion. No fooner were they counted

over and their names taken down, than Huzza for

America ! was the dreadful word all over the plain.

The Trumpets were ordered immediately to be

founded, and the Drums to be beaten, in order

to drown the ihrieks and cries of the young Men

torn from their Parents at an inftant's call! —

Bride and Bridegroom parted by the pointed

bayonet and drawn broad-fword ! Father and

Child feparated by the inhuman threats and oaths

of fome favage Corporal. Juft as they were out

of the City they looked back, and with one voice

exclaimed, — God blefs you, Father! God blefs

you, Mother ! at the Laft Day we mall all meet

again I"

But

63

But even thefe means have proved infufficient ; and the poor wretches, whom hunger had driven or artifice feduced into the deeds of death, have fallen fo fan, that Crimping has been found necef- fary. Crimping has been eflablifhed into a trade, and accompanied with fuch an apparatus of hor- rors, as would arm Mercy with the thunderbolt. The Irifh % Regiment, recently landed at Pill near this City is a melancholy inftance — By* long con- finement and by filth they have almoft ceafed to refemble men. My Brethren ! they who authorize or connive at fuch enormities, retain Hill lefs refemblance !

Laftly, in this inventory of guilt as the imme- diate and peculiar effect of the prefent War, and juftly attributable to our Miniftry, we muft place the excesses of the French, their maiTacres and blafphemies, all their crimes and all their diftreffes. This effect the War produced by a two-fold opera* tion of terror : — FirrT, on the people of France, iecondly, on their Rulers.

H Firtf,

\ They who wifli to mangle their feelings by perufing the particulars of this complicated wickednefs, are re- ferred to a Pamphlet of William Bryant, who himfeH* attended on, and medically relieved thefe disfigured wretches.

64

Fir#, on the people of France. Inftant death was threatened to all taken in arms; — beheading and confiscation to the members of the depart- ments, diftri&s, and municipalities ; military execution to the members of the national affembly, magistrates, and all the inhabitants of Paris 5 and total deltru&ion to that City. All places and towns lhall incur the fame puniihments as thofe inflicted on the inhabitants of Paris. — Such was Brunfwick's manifefto. " The mode of civilized War will not be pra&ifed," fays Burke. Our Government were projecting to Jlarve the whole nation, and many of our fenators did not fcruple to proclaim the war a war of extermination. If we by the ihadow and mockery of unreal things have been alarmed into blind reliance on men the moft weak and unprincipled, can we wonder that a nation, whofe whole horizon was black with approaching tempefts, fliould be equally in- cautious \ Hunted on all fides, infulted by un- ceafing and brutal menaces, they felt the blended influence of terror and indignation — by the firft they were impelled to become voluntary Haves to the bloody fanatics, whofe wild energies feemed alone proportionate to the danger ; by the latter their gentler feelings were faipended, and the

military

65

military fpirit with all its virtues and all its vices feized at once a whole nation. In the truly pro- phetic words of Ifaiah — " They have trode the wine-prefs alone, and of the nations there was none with them. They looked and there was none to help; they wondered that there was none to uphold. Therefore their own arm brought falvation unto them, and their fury, it upheld them."

Secondly, on their Leaders. They and their country were in the cafe of " extreme neeeffity," — which, according to Archdeacon Paley, diflblves the ordinary ties of morality. I mean not to im- ply approbation of fuch fyftems of morals : but doubtlefs the Terrorifts at the commencement of their power knew that the general confequences of their actions would be evil, but they thought the occafion fo vaft and prefling, as to make the particular good confequences over-balance the gene- ral evil ones— efpecially as thofe actions could never be imitated in after times with any mew of rea- fon, unlefs in the rage and tempeft of fome future Revolution.

Are

H2

66

Are not the congregated clouds of War Black all around us ? In our very vitals > Works not the king-bred poifon of rebellion ? Say, what {hall counteract the feliifh plottings > Of wretches, cold of heart, nor aw'd by fears Of Him, whofe power dire&s th' eternal juftice ? Terror ? or fecret-fapping gold ? The firft Heavy, but transient as the ills that caufe it, And to the virtuous Patriot rendered light By -the neceflities that gave it birth : The other fouls the fount of the Republic Making it flow polluted thro' all ages ; Inoculates the ftate with a flow venom, That once imbib'd mull be continued ever !

+ Fa l i. o f Rob espierre.

Thus from the influence of the understanding they continued to do what the heart fickened at j but a courfe of action, which the heart difapproves, will vitiate the heart and make it callous : and when the heart is vitiated, the underftanding will not long remain pure. But Terror intoxicates more than ftrong wine j with the which, who forcibly drenches another man, is the real caufe and fole refponfible agent of all the exceffes,

which

+ A Tragedy, of which the Firft Ad was writte 1 by S. T. Coleridge.

67

which in the hour of drunkennefs he fhall have committed. It was a truth eafily difcovered, a truth on which our Minifter has proceeded, that valour and victory would not be the determiners of this War. They would prove finally fuccefsful whofe refources enabled them to hold out the longeft. The commerce of France was annihilated j her money 'd-men were flow and cold from that felflmnefs, with which Mammon fails not to incruft the heart of his votaries. Immenfe armies were to be fupported — immenfe to the confufion of the faith of pofterity. Alas ! Freedom weeps ! The Guillotine became the Financier-General. — That dreadful pilot, Robefpierre, perceived that it would at once furnifh wind to the fails, and free the veffel from thofe who were inclined to mutiny. — Who, my Brethren ! was the caufe of this guilt, if not He, who fupplied the occafion and the motive ? — Heaven hath bellowed on that man a portion of its ubiquity, and given him an actual prefence in the Sacraments of Hell, where- ever adminiftered, in all the bread of bitternefs, in all the cups of blood.

Such in addition to the evils attending all warr. are the peculiar horrors of the prefent. Our na- tional

68

tional faith has been impaired y our fecial con- fidence hath been weakened, or made unfafe ; our liberties have fuffered a perilous breach, and even now are being (ftill more perilously) undermined ; the Dearth, which would otherwife have been fcarcely vifible, hath enlarged its terrible features into the threatening face of Famine j and finally, of us will juitice require a dreadful account of whatever guilt France has perpetrated, of whatever miferies France has endured. Are we men ? Freemen ? rational men ? And fhall we carry on this wild and prieftly War againft reafon, againft freedom, againft human nature ? If there be one among you, who departs from me without feeling it .his immediate duty to petition or re- monftrate againft the continuance of it, I envy that man neither his head or his heart !

February, 1J Q5.

6g

ERRATA.

Page 8, for " Monarchy and Ariftocracy" read " the Monarchy and Ariftocracy.''

Page 30, arTerter for afferters.

Page 38, line 21ft, for intereftread influence.

Page 5g, for Opian read Offian.

Page 6l, for murder read Fight for his King and Country.

%©«©«?! |V>€>e**

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