208 MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 



put on, to cloak wicked and sinister ends, delusion 

 and artifice of every kind must be resorted to for 

 their accomplishment. Thence follows the de- 

 gradation of man, and the consequent decay of 

 states and nations. But it is not for want of 

 knowing better that governments get out of the 

 path of rectitude; it is by the individuals who 

 compose its parts becoming dishonest. To the 

 sage advice of such men as Bacon and Locke they 

 turn a deaf ear; they are lost in considerations 

 about their own private, selfish concerns, or are 

 blinded by a false ambition, regardless of pro- 

 moting the public good, or the happiness of 

 mankind; and, until they are checked in this 

 career, by an enlightened people, it is in vain to 

 look for any amendment in them. But the great 

 bulk of the people must be enlightened and 

 amended, before liberty, peace, and happiness, 

 can be spread over the world. 



The first step preparatory to this desirable order 

 of things, must be that the people should learn to 

 respect themselves, as reasoning beings, which is 

 the noblest privilege bestowed upon them by the 

 Creator. To slight this gift is to act ungratefully 

 to the Giver; for it is only by the free exercise of 

 their understandings that men can see the face of 

 truth, or can have the full use of all the means of 

 advancing in knowledge, or are capable of religion, 

 science, virtue, and rational happiness, or can be 

 enabled to look backward with comfort or forward 

 with hope. It is a sure sign that all is not right, 

 or as it should be, in governments, when they fear 

 even the fullest investigation of any, and of every, 

 subject. Truth and honesty fear no discussion, 

 and good governments will freely encourage, 



