Whether we ought to support the house of Austria, to prevent its utter
subversion, or restore it to its former greatness, whatever may be my
private opinion, I think it not on this occasion necessary to assert;
it is sufficient to induce us to reject this motion, that we ought to
be at least in a condition that may enable us to improve those
opportunities that may be offered, and to hinder the execution of any
design that may threaten immediate danger to our commerce or our
liberty.
Another popular topick, my lords, which has been echoed on the present
occasion, is the happiness of peace, and the blessing of uninterrupted
commerce and undisturbed security. We are perpetually told of the
hazards of war, whatever may be the superiority of our skill or
courage; of the certainty of the expenses, the bloodshed, and the
hardships, and doubtfulness of the advantages which we may hope from
them; and it is daily urged with great vehemence, that peace upon the
hardest conditions is preferable to the honour of conquests, and the
festivity of triumphs.
These maxims, my lords, which are generally true in the sense which
their authors intended, may be very properly urged against the wild
designs of ambition, and the romantick undertakings of wanton
greatness; but have no place in the present inquiry, which relates to
a war not made by caprice, but forced upon us by necessity; a war to
which all the encomiums on peace, must in reality incite, because
peace alone is the end intended to be obtained by it.
Pages:
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492