THE CORRUPTION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE THREE GOVERNMENTS. SECT. IX. OF THE CORRUPTION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE PRINCIPLE of DEMOCRACY is corrupted not only when the pirit of equality is extinct, but likewife when men fall into a spirit of extreme equality, and when each citizen would fain be upon a level with those whom he has chosen to command him.-THEN THE PEOPLE, IN CAPABLE OF BEARING THE VERY POWER THEY HAVE DELEGATED, WANT TO MANAGE EVERY THING THEMSELVES, TO DEBATE FOR THE SENATE, ΤΟ EXECUTE POR THE MAGISTRATE, AND TO DECIDE FOR THE JUDGES. When this is the cafe, VIRTUE can no longer fubfift in the republic.-THE POPULACE ARE DESIROUS OF EXER CISING THE FUNCTIONS OF THE MAGISTRATES; WHO CEASE TO BE REVERED. THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE SENATE ARE SLIGHTED; ALL RESPECT IS THEN LAID ASIDE FOR THE SENATORS, AND CONSEQUENTLY FOR OLD AGE. IF THERE IS NO MORE RESPECT FOR OLD AGE, THERE WILL BE NONE PRESENTLY FOR PARENTS; DEFERENCE TO HUSBANDS WILL BE LIKEWISE THROWN OFF, AND SUBMISSION TO MASTERS. -THIS LICENTIOUSNESS WILL SOON BECOME GENERAL; AND THE TROUBLE OF COMMAND BE AS FATIGUING AS THAT OF OBEDIENCE.-WIVES, CHILDREN, SERVANTS, WILL SHAKE OF ALL SUBJECTION. -NO LONGER WILL THERE BE ANY SUCH THINGS AS MANNERS, ORDER, OR VIRTUE. We find in Xenophon's Banquet a very lively description of a REPUBLIC in which the people abused their equality.—Each guest gives in his turn the reason why he is fatisfied." Content I am," fays Chamides, "becaufe of my poverty.-WHEN I WAS RICH, I was obliged to pay my court to informers, knowing I was more liable to be hurt by them, than capable of doing "them harm.-The republic conftantly demanded fome 66 46 new tax of me; and I could not decline paying-SINCE "I AM GROWN POOR, I have acquired authority; no 66 66 body threatens me; I rather threaten others.—I can gi or ftay where I pleafe.-The rich already rife from their “feats and give me the way.—I am a king, I was before a THE CORRUPTION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE THREE GOVERNMENTS. SECT. IX. OF THE CORRUPTION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE PRINCIPLE of DEMOCRACY is corrupted not only when the spirit of equality is extinct, but likewife when men fall into a spirit of extreme equality, and when each citizen would fain be upon a level with those whom he has chosen to command him.-THEN THE PEOPLE, IN CAPABLE OF BEARING THE VERY POWER THEY HAVE DELEGATED, WANT ΤΟ MANAGE EVERY THING THEMSELVES, TO DEBATE FOR THE SENATE, TO EXECUTE POR THE MAGISTRATE, AND TO DECIDE FOR THE JUDGES. When this is the cafe, VIRTUE can no longer fubfift in the republic.-THE POPULACE ARE DESIROUS OF EXER CISING THE FUNCTIONS OF THE MAGISTRATES; WHO CEASE TO BE REVERED. THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE SENATE ARE SLIGHTED; ALL RESPECT IS THEN LAID ASIDE FOR THE SENATORS, AND CONSEQUENT- TIGUING AS THAT OF OBEDIENCE.-WIVES, CHILD- We find in Xenophon's Banquet a very lively defcription of a REPUBLIC in which the people abused their equality.—Each guest gives in his turn the reason why he is fatisfied.—“ Content I am," fays Chamides, "be 66 caufe of my poverty.-WHEN I WAS RICH, I was obliged to pay my court to informers, knowing I was more liable to be hurt by them, than capable of doing “them harm.—The republic conftantly demanded fome 66 new tax of me; and I could not decline paying-SINCE "I AM GROWN POOR, I have acquired authority; no 66 66 body threatens me; I rather threaten others.-I can go or ftay where I please.-The rich already rife from their "feats and give me the way.—I am a king, I was before a "flave: 66 46 66 flave: I paid taxes to the republic, now it maintains me: I am no longer afraid of lofing; but I hope to ac quire." THE PEOPLE FALL INTO THIS MISFORTUNE, WHEN THOSE IN WHOM THEY CONFIDE, DESIROUS OF CONCEALING THEIR OWN CORRUPTION, ENDEAVOUR TO CORRUPT THEM.-TO DISGUISE THEIR OWN AMBITION, THEY SPEAK TO THEM ONLY OF THE GRANDEUR OF THE STATE; TO CONCEAL THEIR OWN AVARICE, THEY INCESSANTLY FLATTER THEIRS. The corruption will increafe among the corrupters, and likewise among those who are already corrupted.The people will divide the public money among themfelves, and having added the administration of affairs to their indolence, will be for blending their poverty with the amusements of luxury.-But with their indolence and luxury, nothing but the public treasure will be able to fatisfy their demands. We must not be furprised to see their fuffrages given for money. It is impoffible to make great largeffes to the people without great extortion: and to compass this, the state must be subverted.-The greater the advantages they feem to derive from their liberty, the nearer they approach towards the critical moment of lofing it. Petty 7 |