Moderate measures, my lords, if not always the most honourable in the
opinion of minds vitiated by false notions of grandeur, are, at least,
always the most safe; and are, therefore, eligible at least, till the
scene of affairs begins to open, and the success of a more vigorous
conduct may with some degree of certainty be foreknown; and it must at
least be thought imprudent for those to hazard much who can gain
nothing, and therefore it will not be easy to assign any reason that
may justify our conduct on the present occasion.
It is not improbable, my lords, that those who have now obtained the
direction of our affairs, may be influenced by the general
disapprobation which the British people showed of the pacifick conduct
of the late ministry, and may have resolved to endeavour after
applause, by showing more spirit and activity. But, my lords, of two
opposite schemes it is not impossible that both may be wrong, and that
the middle way only may be safe; nor is it uncommon for those who are
precipitately flying from one extreme, to rush blindly upon another.
But our ministry, my lords, have found out a method of complicating
errours which none of their predecessors, however stigmatized for
ignorance and absurdity, have hitherto been able to attain; they have
been able to reconcile the extremes of folly, and to endanger the
publick interest at the same time, by inactivity and romantick
temerity.
Pages:
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454