The noble duke has endeavoured to reduce us to difficulties, by
urging, that since the corruption of the people cannot be greater, we
ought willingly to agree to any law, of which the title declares that
it is intended to produce a reformation, because the worst that can be
feared is, that it may be without effect.
But, my lords, such is the enormous absurdity of this bill, that no
plea can be offered for it with the least appearance of reason; and
the greatest abilities, when they are exerted in its defence, are able
only to show, by fruitless efforts, that it cannot be vindicated. If
the state of the nation be really such as has been supposed, if the
most detestable and odious vice has overspread the kingdom to its
utmost limits, if the people are universally abandoned to drunkenness,
sloth, and villany, what can be more absurd than to trifle with
doubtful experiments, and to make laws which must be suspected of
inefficacy? In the diseases of the state, as in those of the body, the
force of the remedy ought to be proportioned to the strength and
danger of the disease; and surely no political malady can be more
formidable than the prevalence of wickedness, nor can any time require
more firmness, vigilance, and activity, in the legislative power.
Pages:
669
670
671
672
673
674
675
676
677
678
679
680
681
682
683
684
685
686
687
688
689
690
691
692
693