An Appeal to the Public on the Subject of the Riots in Birmingham (Volume 1); To Which Are Added Strictures on a Pamphlet Intitled 'Thoughts on the Late Riot at Birmingham' (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. 1791. Excerpt: ... these, a civil war may be lighted up, and consequences may follow which the wisest: among us cannot foresee. They who take any serious umbrage at such meetings as those for the celebration of the French Revolution, throw the greatest reflection on the present reign, and most endanger the present happy tranquility of it/) For it is to represent it as no better than the "reign of Tiberius, a reign of universal suspicion, and of real dangers arising from imaginary ones. That government must be conscious of its extriyrie weakness, or be actuated by the most wanton cruelty, that can seriously resent such trifling insults as these, admitting, what_is_by no means true, that they were intended for Insults. TheTwisest, and in all respects the best method, is to indulge men in the freest expression of their natural sentiments, and even to encourage the fullest discussion of all topics, of a civil as well as of a religious nature, in order that one opinion and one reason may combat another, and that all truth, religious, philosophical, or political, may prevail, and establish itself, without obstructions/By this gentle and generous proceeding, no convulsion will ever happen in any state. The public opinion will thus be formed gradually, and have its natural and easy operation, producing changes as they are wanted; and grievances will not be permitted to accumulate, till the mass shall be so great, as to force its way through all opposition. This maxim is equally true with respect to the church, or the stated If the clergy made no opposition to the encreasirig light of the age, but would themselves speculate freely on every subject relating to their own situation, and that of the country, nothing would ever hurt any individual of them. Should the consequence of thi...