But this and any similar maxim deduced from simple reason,
raises an outcry- the church or the state is in danger, if faith in
the wisdom of antiquity is not implicit; and they who, roused by the
sight of human calamity, dare to attack human authority, are reviled
as despisers of God, and enemies of man. These are bitter calumnies,
yet they reached one of the best of men,* whose ashes still preach
peace, and whose memory demands a respectful pause, when subjects
are discussed that lay so near his heart-
* Dr. [Richard] Price.
After attacking the sacred majesty of Kings, I shall scarcely excite
surprise by adding my firm persuasion that every profession, in
which great subordination of rank constitutes its power, is highly
injurious to morality.
A standing army, for instance, is incompatible with freedom; because
subordination and rigour are the very sinews of military discipline;
and despotism is necessary to give vigour to enterprizes that one will
directs. A spirit inspired by romantic notions of honour, a kind of
morality founded on the fashion of the age, can only be felt by a
few officers, whilst the main body must be moved by command, like
the waves of the sea; for the strong wind of authority pushes the
crowd of subalterns forward, they scarcely know or care why, with
headlong fury.
Besides, nothing can be so prejudicial to the morals of the
inhabitants of country towns as the occasional residence of a set of
idle superficial young men, whose only occupation is gallantry, and
whose polished manners render vice more dangerous, by concealing its
deformity under gay ornamental drapery.
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