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CONCIONES AD POPULUM.

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

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

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

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

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?

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 —

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

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

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 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 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

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

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.

{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 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

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

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

* Muir, Palmer, and Margakoi.

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 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!

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

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

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

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

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 ,

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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,)

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

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

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

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

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 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 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 -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

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

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

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,

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

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.

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

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

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 !

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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