SKETCH
н II.

General View of Government.

THE progrefs of government, accurately delineated, would produce a great volume: in the prefent work there is room but for a few hints. What are the qualities that fit men for fociety, is explained above; but writers are far from being unanimous about what fits them for government. All agree, that fubmiffion to our governors is a duty: but they appear to be at a lofs upon what foundation to reft that duty; as if it were not evident, that by our nature we are fitted for government as well as for fociety (a). If juftice or veracity be effential to fociety, fubmiffion to government is no less fo and each of thefe equally is declared by the moral fenfe to be our duty. But to qualify man for government, the duty of fubmiffion is not alone fufficient: diverfity of temper and of talents are also

(a) Principles of Equity, p. 177. edit. 2.

neceffary;

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neceffary; and accordingly it is fo order-
ed by Providence, that there are never
wanting in any fociety, men who are
qualified to lead, as well as men who are
difpofed to follow. Where a number of
people convene for any purpose, fome will
naturally affume authority without the
formality of election, and the reft will as
naturally submit. A regular government
founded on laws, was probably not thought
of, till people had frequently fuffered by
vicious
*
governors

During the infancy of national focieties, government is extremely fimple; and no less mild than fimple. No individual is by nature intitled to exercise magifterial authority over his fellows; for no individual is born with any mark of

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* At first, when a certain regimen was once approved, it may be that all was permitted to the wifdom and difcretion of those who were to rule; till by experience this was found very inconvenient, fo as the thing devised for a remedy did increase the fore which it should have cured. They faw," that 66 to live by one man's will, became the caufe of all

..

mens mifery." This conftrained them to come into laws, wherein all men might fee their duty beforehand, and know the penalties of tranfgrefing them. Hooker's Eccl. Pol. l. 1. § 10.

pre-eminence

pre-eminence to vouch that he has such a privilege. But nature teaches refpect for men of age and experience: who accordingly take the lead in deliberating and advising, leaving execution to the young and vigorous *. War indeed cannot be carried on without a commander; but originally his authority was limited to actual war; and he returned home a private perfon, even when crowned with victory. The wants of men were originally fo few and so easily fatisfied, as feldom to occafion a controversy among members of the fame tribe. And men, finding vent for their diffocial paffions against other tribes, were fond to live peaceably at

* Such as are acquainted with no manners but what are modern, will be puzzled to account for the great veneration paid to old age in early times. Before writing was invented, old men were the repofitories of knowledge, which they acquired by experience; and young men had no access to knowledge but from them. At the fiege of Troy, Neftor, who had feen three generations, was the chief advifer and director of the Greeks. But as books are now the most patent road to knowledge, to which the old and young have accefs, it may justly be faid, that by the invention of writing and printing, old men have loft much of their priftine importance.

home,

home. Introduction of money made an amazing change. Wealth, bestow'd by fortune or procured by rapine, made an impreffion on the vulgar: different ranks were recognised: the rich became imperious, and the poor mutinous. Selfishnefs, prevailing over focial affection, stirred up every man against his neighbour; and men, overlooking their natural enemies, gave vent to diffocial paffions within their own tribe. It became neceffary to strengthen the hands of the fovereign, for repreffing paffions inflamed by opulence, which tend to diffolution of society, This flight view fairly accounts for the gradual progrefs of government from the mildest form to the most defpotic. The fecond part of the progrefs is more pleafing. Men long enured to the authority of government, acquire a habit of repreffing their turbulent paffions; and becoming by degrees regular and orderly, they are easily restrained from doing wrong.

In every nation originally democracy was the first form of government. Before ranks were diftinguifhed, every fingle man was intitled to vote in matters of common concern. When a tribe becomes too nu

merous

merous for making one body or for being convened in one place, the management falls naturally to the elders of the people; who, after acquiring authority by custom, are termed the fenate. At first, little more was thought of, but that to govern great numbers a fenate is neceffary: time unfolded the conftitution of that body and its powers. With refpect to the senate of old Rome in particular, even the mode of election was long ambulatory; and it is natural to believe that its powers were no lefs fo; till length of time introduced regularity and order. From this form of government, the transition is eafy to a limited monarchy. Abfolute monarchy, contradictory to the liberty that all men fhould enjoy in every government, can never be established but by force. Government among all nations has made the progrefs above delineated. There are exceptions; but thefe have arifen from fingular events.

To a nation accustomed to liberty and independence, arbitrary government is a fore difcafe. But awe and fubmiffion are alfo natural; and a life of dependence probably

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