The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-02-06
THE SYSTEM AT FAULT.

| 1t is impossible to answer for bodies of men.
But am sure the natural effect OF fidelity elem
ency, kindness in governors, ispea ce good will
order and esteem on the part of the governed
would at least give these fair principles fair
| trial.
Thus spoke EDMUND BURKE in the House
of Commons, over one hundred years ago,
when the subject of American taxation was
before the British parliament. The truth
of his proposition is so self evident that it
requires no argument to force it upon con-
viction. Intelligence at once admits it. for
experience has demonstrated its truth Had
the ministers of England acted in harmony
with that doctrine, there would have been
no American revolution. no United States:
but, like Canada, our country would still
have been part of the great British empire.
Perhaps,it was not to be. The great COP
who orders those events which estab
lish one nation and overthrow another.
had higher destiny for our country than
it could attain as part of the empire of Great
Britain. And, therefore, as he hardened
the heart of PHARAOH that he would not
let Israel depart from Egypt until COPS
power was manifested, that His people
might forever have confidence in His
strength and a sure foundation for their
faith, so did He harden the hearts of Brit
ish ministers until the fathers of our re-
public were justified in throwing off the
English yoke of oppression and founding
our splendid government.
But had the conciliatory policy so ABLY
advocated by PITT and BURKE been pur
sued towards the Americans; had fidelity
clemency, kindness and moderation marked
the conduct of governors and other crown
officers, instead of perhdy, arrogance. Cd.
preston and cruelty, it is very question
able if the constitution of the United States
would have been fact; at least for several
centuries to come But they preferred force
to Cancellation, and on that risked all and
lost. And when they thus lost, they lost
forever AS BURKE in this very speech
from which we quote pointed out to the OBJ
stinate ministry: Terror is not ALWAYS
the effect of force, and an armament is not
victory. If you do not succeed, you are
without resources; for reconciliation fail
ing, force remains; but force failing. no
further hope of reconciliation is
lei T. fUWcr duu authority are some
times bought by kindness; but
they can never be begged as aims, by an
impoverished and defeated violence. Thus
it often happens that the world, paradox
cal as it may seem, is indebted to tyrants for
the boon of liberty. Tyrants make
patriots; and the excuses of the former
act as spur to the latter and urge them
on to the performance of their whole duty.
If arbitrary rulers but read their interest
Alright, gracious clemency and moderation
would be their habitual department. But
alas! such is the nature of man that it is
rarely indeed that one is found who can
exercise arbitrary power with decent
moderation. That man, clothed with a
little brief authority, plays such fantastic
tricks before high heaven as make the
angels weep, is truism so often repeated
that it is hackneyed. But where even des-
pots govern with consideration, and the
sweet spirit of mercy softens their con-
ceptlons Of stern justice, it is possible to