268 The Kings Troops in hidia. [March, 



ever think of defining the meaning, to profess our contempt for it, and 

 at an age when we know nothing about the matter, we make no difficulty 

 of doing so. In the same way we learn to stigmatize ambition and 

 glory as unbefiting the disciples of Christ — of course we are all by 

 birth-right his disciples — and in the same ignorance we do so, and think 

 of the lesson no more. We do so, perhaps, through life also at stated 

 seasons, on certain occasions, and in set formularies; but steadily and 

 studiously in every other period and pursuit of our lives, we cleave and 

 cling to that same world with all the ardour of devoted attachment. 

 To renounce it, in the letter or the spirit of the injunction, never 

 seriously occupies the thoughts for a moment : on the contrary, we 

 passionately desire the accommodations it affords, and heartily applaud 

 and indefatigably pursue the means of securing them. We toil for 

 wealth, we grasp at honors, we love distinction ; our children see that 

 we do, and with the certainty of a law of nature, follow the same career. 

 One day out of seven, and at one place, they hear the language of 

 renunciation ; all other days, and in all other places, they behold the 

 practice and perseverance of grasping cupidity. 



With these principles of action kneaded into the very frame of our 

 being singly from our childhood, can it be thought they will not operate 

 upon us collectively ? What man, with power thrown into his hands, is 

 found to resign it; and what body of men are observed to stick at any 

 thing calculated not only to advance individual interests, but to augment 

 the power of the confederacy ? WTiat conqueror ever checked his ca- 

 reer, till the combined resentment of his foes or the obstructions of 

 nature arrested it? or what possessor of power ever failed of suc- 

 cessors to clutch the inheritance ? In short, if advantage be attainable, 

 we are all of us eager to grasp it ; and if advantage be once attained, we 

 are all of us resolute enough too in retaining it. The single individual 

 may shudder at the commission of crime, and perhaps relax his hold ; 

 but numbers, dividing the scandal, and countenancing each other, will 

 scarcely hesitate by fraud or force to secure their gripe. Should them- 

 selves be withheld by any lurking misgivings, there will be no want of 

 ready instruments ; agents they will have, and agents we know fling from 

 them the burden of moral responsibility, confident of approbation in the 

 event of success. Should, again the scene of action be remote, and 

 the agent be invested with military authority, the very investment is a 

 stimulus to the pursuit of glory so natural to command, and so ap- 

 plauded by the world : he takes the field ; he is victorious ; the benefit 

 redounds to the employer ; the agent sins with impunity, and the prin- 

 cipal smiles forgiveness. Can we discover here the traces of the Com- 

 pany's career ? Then we discern the natural consequences of the 

 principles so deeply instilled into us all. They have done no more than 

 others in the same circumstances would have done ; nor dare we inflict 

 on them the full severities of reprobation, so justly their due. We can 

 only question the wisdom of their measures, and warn them of the 

 perils that surround them. Their empire is the terrible result of blood, 

 treachery and oppression, beyond the recorded abominations perhaps of 

 any age of the world. To retrace their steps is impossible, or at least 

 must be regarded as impi'acticable. Power is in their hands, and it is 

 their business now to husband it wisely : their present measures 

 however, are any thing but wise. Sovereign power does not strengthen 

 in proportion to its extension : it weakens as it expands. It is the cir- 



