S50 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



they pursue, it is always expected that they will 

 be in danger of being swayed by their interest ; 

 governed by their passions, and irritated by op- 

 position. The difficulties that arise from this 

 source are much the same in all countries, and 

 under all forms of government. Whether the 

 coalition be made up of kings, nobles, ministers 

 of state, representatives of the people, or assem- 

 blies of the clergy, if it is left to them to ad- 

 vance their own wealth, power, influence, and 

 importance by their own votes, we know what 

 to expect ; nor are we disappointed in finding 

 them united in assisting and supporting each 

 other ; in humbling, depressing, and disarming 

 their opposers ; angry, irritated, and inflamed 

 by opposition. Their passions rise, rule, and 

 govern ; their reason loses its influence and 

 force ; crime, guilt, and shame, are divided in- 

 to equal shares ; and no man means or expects 

 to take a large portion to himself. 



In every Congress of this kind, the great 

 question will be, not what is right and fit ; but 

 what the people can be made to believe, and 

 what mankind can be made to bear. Public 

 sentiment and public feeling seem to be the on- 

 ly eflectual checks on any body of men, who 

 have been long in possession of power, let the 

 form of government be what it may. Amidst 

 all the proceedings then of civil authority and 

 legislative bodies, a still more important inquiry 

 ariseth, what is the state of society ? What is 

 the condition of the people ? Are they ignorant, 

 corrupt, and poor ; in a state of slavery, depres- 

 sion and disgrace ? Or have they freedom, vir- 

 tue, and discernment enough, to understand 



