Dissertation Upon Parties; In Several Letters to Caleb D'Anvers (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. 1749 Excerpt: ...Penetration and fpotlefs Innocence give a certain Exclufion to them ) they may prevent any farther Securities from being procured to Liberty, till thofe already eftablim'd are diffolved, or perverted. Since then our principal Danger muft in all Times arife from thofe, who belong to this Divifion, it is neceflary to (hew, before we conclude thefe Dilcourfes, by what Means fuch Men may carry on their pernicious Defigns with Effecl:, and by what Means they may be defeated. Thefe Confederations will lead us to fix that Point, wherein Men of all Denominations ought to unite, and do unite, and to ftate the fole Diftinction of Parties, which can be made with Truth at this Time amongft us. 1 am, SIR, &c. LETTER S I Rt IT may be afk'd, perhaps, how Men, who are Friends to a Government, can be Enemies at the fame Time to the Conjliiution, upon which that Government is founded. But the Anfwer will be eafy, if we confider confider thefe two Things; Jtrjl, the true Diftinction, fo often confounded in writing, and almoft always in Converfation, between Conftitution and Government. By Conftitution we mean, whenever we fpeak with Propriety and exactnefs.that Aflemblage of Laws, Inftitutions and Cuftoms, derived from certain fix'd Principles of Reafon directed to certain fix'd Objects of publick Good, that compofe the general Syftem, according to which the Community hath agreed to be govern'd. By Government we mean, whenever we fpeak in the fame Manner, that particular Tenor of Conduct, which a chief Magiftrate, and inferior Magiftrates, under his Direction and Influence, hold in the Adminiftration of publick Affairs. We call this a good Government, when the Execution of the Laws, the Obfervation of the Inftitutions and Cuftoms, in fhort, the whole Adminiftration of pub...