The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal. [volume] (Boston [Mass.]) 1772-1775, 1772-12-04
For the MASSACHUSETTS S P 7.
Mi. THOMAS.

Mr.. THOMAS,
Neseaeaslasa1eF the following Transcript
& from Sidney on government
| 2a& vi. 1856, vill be found to
@ have reference only to the
~ - times wherein the author
J9OlJS lived, or thofe proceeding,
we f1all then have the pleafng iatisfaeiOn TO
find ourlelves in better fituation /; If the
contrary, we may be admohifhed TO throw
our influence into the fcale which oPpofes 10
dreadful ufurpatich ofthe rights Of mankind
as are made in an ablolute monarchy.
" The jua magiarate il the miniter OF
God for our good /: but this abfolute mo-
march has no other care Of US, then as our
riches and multitude may encreaie his own
glory and lerength. We might ezfily judge
what would be the iAue Of fuch a principle,
when the being of nations depending upon
his will mult alio depend upon his opinion.
The judgment Of Jingle man 10 not to
be relied upon, the beR and wifeff do Of
! ten err, the fooli(h and peryerie always
The riches, power, number and courage OF
our friends 10 for our advantage, and that OF
our enemies threatens US with ruin thoie
princes only can reafonably believe the
Aseneih Of taeir fubjeas beneficial to them,
who govern 10 As to be aGured Of their at
Eceaicn, and that their 3rength will be en-
ployed for them: But thoie who know
they arc, or deferve to be hated, cannot but
feek to diminifh that which creates their
DANGER. This mutt certaiaIy befal as many
as are Iewd, foolifh, negligent, inpsudent,
cowardly, vicious or any way unworthy the
places they obtain, for their reign is . pefpetu
al exercie of the mott extreme and ruinous
injufiice every man that follows an honeR
intefeif is prejudiced: every one that finds
che power that was ordained for bis good,
to be turned to bis hurt, will be angry and
hate him that does IL; IL the people be of
uncorrupsed manners this hatred will be &C.
neral, becauie every one Of them deiires that
which 10 juia il compoted Of good and evil,
the firf will always be averfe to the evil 60
vernment, and the Others endeavouring to
uphold il, the fafety of the prince mutt de-
pend upon the prevalence Of either party. II
the bef prove to be the RrongeR, be mua
perth: And knowing himielf to be fupPort-
ed only by the wosit, he will always deffcy
as many OF his enemies as he Can weaken
thoie that remain enrich his creatures with
their Polls and con6lcations by fraud and
rapins accumulate trealures to encreafe the
number Of his party, and advance them to
an places Of power and truh, that by their
afiaance he may cruih his sdverlaries and
every man is accounted his adveFfary, who
has either efiate, honour, virtue or reputai-
on. This naturally CATS all power into the
: hands ofthofe who have no fuch dangerous
qualities, ner any thing to recommend then
4 bit an abloiute resignation of themfelves to
do whatever they are commanded. Thefe
men having neither will nor knowledge to do
good, a. foon 40 they come to be in power,
js)giet i, trrvyfsd, military diicipline neglect
ed, the public trealares exhaufted, Srs0 pre-
lem invented to raiie more Sand the princes
wants. daily encrea6ng, though their ignoF-
ance, negligence or deceit, there Is no end
Of their devices and tricks to gain fupplies
To this end fwsrms of fpies, informers and
fal(e witnei8es are tent out to ciFcumvent the
richeft and moR eminent men: The tribu-
nails are filed with cart t6ra6fss ofproai-
gate condolences, fnEtunes and reputation,
that no man may efczpe Who Is brought Be-
fore them. II crimes are wanting, the dill
ernce Of we'll chofen officers, and prosecutors.
with the favpnr sffbe ju4ess, fuPPly all de-
feefs the Law is made fnare /; virtue iup-