11.Taking it altogether,it is,without question,a very ingenious argument:nor can any thing in the world answer the purpose better,except just in the case where it happens to be wanted.Not but that a veteran antagonist,trained up in the regular and accustomed disci pline of legal fencing,such an one,indeed,might contrive perhaps,with due management,to give our Author the honour of the field.But should some undisciplined blunderer,like the Commissary's land lady,thrust in quart,when he should have thrust in tierce.I doubt much whether he might not get within our Author's guard.I `intend'?I `consent'?I `submit'myself ?`Who are you,I wonder,that should know what I do better than I do myself?As to "submitting my will"to the wills of the people who made this law you are speaking of,what I know is,that I never "intended"any such thing:I abominate them,I tell you,and all they ever did,and have always said so:and as to my "consent,"so far have I been from giving it to their law,that from the first to the last,I have protested against it with all my might.'
So much for our refractory disputant.What I should say to him I know:but what our Author could find to answer to him,is more than I can imagine.(79)12.Let us now return and pick up those other passages which we supposed to have a respect to the same design that seems to be in view in this.
First comes the short introductory paragraph that ushers in the whole digression:
a paragraph which,however short,and however imperfect with respect to the purpose of giving a general view of the contents of those which follow it,was,in despite of method,to expatiate upon this subject.Upon this subject,indeed,he does expatiate with a force of argument and energy of expression which nothing can withstand.`This',it begins,`will necessarily lead us into a short enquiry concerning the nature of society and civil gov ernment.'(80)This is all the intimation it gives of the contents of those paragraphs we have examined.Upon this before us it touches in energetic terms;but more energetic than precise.'And the natural'(it continues)`and inherent right that belongs to the sovereignty of a state',(natural right,observe,that belongs to the sovereignty of a political society)`wherever that sovereignty be lodged,of making and enforcing laws.'
13.This is not all.The most emphatical passage is yet behind.It is a passage in that short paragraph (81)which we found to contain such a variety of matter.He is there speaking of the several forms of government now in being.`However they began',says he,`or by what right soever they subsist,there is and must be in all of them a supreme,irresistible,absolute,uncontrolled authority,in which the jura summi imperii ,or the rights of sovereignty,reside.'
14.The vehemence,the ,of this passage is remarkable.He ransacks the language:he piles up,one upon another,four of the most tremendous epithets he can find;he heaps Ossa upon Pelion:and,as if the English tongue did not furnish expressions strong or imposing enough,he tops the whole with a piece of formidable Latinity.From all this agitation,it is plain,I think,there is a something which he has very much at heart;which he wishes,but Fears,perhaps,to bring out undisguised:which in several places,notwithstanding,bursts out involuntarily,as it were,before he is well ready for it;and which,a certain discretion,getting at last the upper hand of propensity,forces,as we have seen,to dribble away in a string of obscure sophisms.Thus oddly enough it happens,that that passage of them all,which,if I mistake not,is the only one that was meant to be dedicated expressly to the subject,is the least explicit on it.(82)15.A courage much stauncher than our Author's might have wavered here.
A task of no less intricacy was here to be travelled through,than that of adjusting the claims of those two jealous antagonists,Liberty and Government.
A more invidious ground is scarcely to be found any where within the field of politics.Enemies encompass the traveller on every side.He can scarce stir but he must expect to be assaulted with the war-hoop of political heresy from one quarter or another.Difficult enough is the situation of him,who,in these defiles,feels himself impelled one way by fear,and another by affection.
