Essays on Government (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1839 Excerpt: ... Those writers who have offered to the public new plans for systems of government, who have suggested fresh schemes for political constitutions, have always been taunted with being theorists and visionaries; but surely of all theorists, those who, finding themselves occupying the high situations of this world, fancy that human society should remain stationary, and that all further improvements in the existing barbarous political systems should be put a stop to, in order that they may continue at the top of the tree, are at once the most visionary, their labour the most vain, and the purity of their motives the most questionable. I am not here going to arraign the conduct of the whole Conservative body of Europe. In every numerous party there must be both bad and selfish men, but I am willing to believe the majority are sincere and honest in their opinions; those opinions were once public opinion, but that time is gone by, they are fast going out of fashion. I certainly have not a high idea of their wisdom, and I cannot give them credit for much judgment, foresight, or knowledge of human nature, or of their being able to penetrate far into futurity. They find themselves well off in the world, and therefore seem to think it ought to stand still, forgetful that society has always been moving, and that by the laws of human nature, established' by Divine Providence, it must continue so to do. Had they been living when the reformation in religion took place, they would have been zealous good Catholics, and stanch supporters of Popery, with its pomps, ceremonies, and assumed infallibility; but as they were called into existence at a time the world was making a movement of a different description, they became the Papists of politics instead of religion. Conservative...