Boston, August 8, 1748
To the Publishers of the Independent Advertiser.
As the Characters of Enemies and Friends to Government, that Ordinance and Institution of Heaven, have been very unaccountably apply’d in late Times; in Hopes of correcting Mistakes in some, and preventing Imposition in others, I have been induc’d to offer to the Publick the following general Thoughts concerning Loyalty and Sedition, the Publication of which will oblige
Your humble Servant,
———Populumque falsis dedocet uti
Vocibus———
Hor.
PERHAPS no Words have been more misunderstood or perverted, than the Words Loyalty and Sedition. The former I take to signify a firm and inviolable Attachment to a legal Constitution, the latter, all Tendencies, Machinations, and Attempts to overset a legal Constitution.
But we oftentimes perceive such Signification assum’d by those who find the wrong Use of these Words conducive to the Support and Increase of Power and Gain, that it is difficult to tell whether Loyalty be really commendable, or Sedition blameworthy. True Loyalty in the Sense just now Explain’d is the Beauty and Perfection of a well constituted State.
It cannot indeed subsist in an arbitrary Government, because it is founded in the Love and Possession of Liberty. It includes in it a thorough Knowledge of our Constitution, its Inconveniences and Defects, as well as its real Advantages; a becoming Jealousy of our Immunities, and a stedfast Resolution to maintain them.
It includes in it a thankful Acquiescence in all Measures evidently calculated to promote the publick Good, and an habitual Readiness to support and strengthen the Execution of those Laws which flow from the Constitution, and tend to preserve it: It delights in the quiet and thankful Enjoyment of the Blessings of a good Administration, and it is the Scourge of the griping Oppressor, and haughty Invader of our Liberties.
In Peace it is attended with all the lovely Affections of Harmony, Union and Benevolence; In War it inspires the Mind with the most Heroic and Exalted Courage, founded on the noblest Principles, and aspiring after the most generous Purposes. That Firmness and Confidence of Mind, that Ardour and Energy of Soul, that disinterested and glorious Intentions that has made some ancient and Modern [unknown], the pride and Admiration of Mankind is the happy Product of true Loyalty when call’d to encounter Danger and Death for the Defence and Happiness of its Country.
This Connecting and Strengthing Principle is analogous to that which binds different Particles of Matter into one System and gives it its Moment, Use and Beauty.
But Sedition is founded on the deprav’d and inordinate Passions of the Mind: It is a weak, feverish, sickly thing, a boisterous and unnatural Vigour, which cannot support it self long, and oftentimes destroys the unhappy Patient: It proceeds from gross Mistake or great Wickedness, from Lust of Power or Gain in the first Promoters of it, and from untameable Obstinacy, and a vitiated Palate that cannot relish the Happiness of a Free State, in the Creatures of their Designs.
But as the Love of Liberty is the very Soul of Loyalty, and the Lust of Preeminence and Money the Main Spring of Sedition, so all Attempts to curtail and destroy our Liberties, or to introduce selfish and arbitrary Measures, are equally a Deviation from true Loyalty, and an Approach to Sedition.
Moreover the suitable Notice of Measures independent of, or above Law, which Sap the Legal Foundations of our Security, I say this comes under the Notion, and is entitled to the Reputation of true Loyalty, and if a fatal Repose or criminal Connivance at these things be not Sedition it is nevertheless as bad.
It is a very great Mistake to imagine that the Object of Loyalty is the Authority and Interest of one individual Man, however dignified by the Applause or enriched by the Success of Popular Actions. This has led Millions into such a degree of Dependance and Submission that they have at length found themselves oblig’d to homage the Instruments of their Ruin, at the very Time they were at Work to effect it.
The true Object of Loyalty is a good Legal Constitution, which as it condemns every instance of Oppression and lawless Power, derives a certain Remedy to the Sufferer, by allowing him to remonstrate his Grievances, and pointing out Methods of Relief when the gentler Arts of Persuasion have lost their Efficacy.
Whosoever therefore insinuates Notions of Government contrary to the Constitution or in any degree winks at any Measures to suppress or even to weaken it is not a loyal Man.
Whoever acquaints us that we have no Right to examine into the Conduct of those, who tho’ they derive their Power from us to serve the common Interest, make use of it to impoverish and ruin us is in a degree a Rebel to the undoubted Rights and Liberties of the People. He that despises his Neighbours Happiness because he wears a worsted Cap or a Leathern Apron, He that struts immeasurably above the lower Size of People, and pretends to adjust the Rights of Men by the Distinctions of Fortune, is not ever loyal. He that aggravates beyond Measure the well meant Failings of a warm Zeal for Liberty; He that leaves no Stone unturn’d to defend and propagate the Schemes of illegal Power, cannot be esteem’d a Loyal Man.
Indeed the Reverse Use of these Words may possibly find Authorities in some Parts of the World where Language and Sense are delug’d in the Torrent of Arbitrary Power. Thus in France who can possibly suppose Loyalty to consist in any Thing, but an Absolute Submission to the unreasonable Caprice and Arbitrary Pleasure of the Grand Monarque and which of all the Grammarians and Criticks of that polite Nation dare contest the irresistible Evidence of this Interpretation.
But far otherwise is the Case with us, who are at Liberty to indulge the justest Notions concerning Civil Government and to act agreeable to them; whose happy Constitution protects us from the Arts of those who use Terms of Contempt and Honour in Subordination to Private Interest, instead of real Desert, whose ill applied Infamy will cleave spontaneous to their own Characters as long as People dare to entertain just Apprehensions of Right and Wrong, Good and Evil.